Discover Room 217, night spirit tours, and Colorado mountain terror. Here is the ultimate Stephen King fan guide to staying at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
There is a feeling that settles over you when the shadow of the Rocky Mountains begins to swallow the afternoon light. If you are a constant reader of Stephen King like me, your mind doesn’t just register the natural grandeur of Estes Park, it registers what he meant to show; the isolation. It imagines snowdrifts blocking Trail Ridge Road, standard phone lines going dead, and the faint, echoing sound of a 1920s dance band drifting through empty corridors.
For the full effect, ignore the fact that the road below has a gas station, shopping center and more. When I first pulled up to the hotel I thought, “why didn’t she just go down to the gas station?” But I digress.
Welcome to The Stanley Hotel, the real-life inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s classic 1977 novel, The Shining.
The Night That Spawned a Nightmare: Room 217
In late September 1974, Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, drove up the winding roads into Estes Park. The tourist season was coming to an abrupt end, and The Stanley Hotel was preparing to close its doors for the harsh Colorado winter. They were the only paying guests staying in the huge, 140-room Georgian Revival hotel that night.
They were checked into Room 217.
That evening, after wandering through cavernous, empty dining rooms served by chairs stacked neatly on top of tables, King went to bed. That night, he suffered a terrifying nightmare of his three-year-old son running down the hotel’s long, carpeted hallways, looking back over his shoulder, wide-eyed, screaming as a billowing fire hose chased him.
“I woke up with a jerk, sweating all over, within an inch of falling out of bed. I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in a chair looking out the window at the Rockies, and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of the book firmly set in my mind.”
— Stephen King
If you like anecdotes like these, or are a “constant reader,” you will love the book Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by Caroline Bicks. The book is an exploration of Stephen King and his most iconic early books, based on groundbreaking research and interviews with King.
Exploring the Grounds: What King Fans Shouldn’t Miss
Whether you book a weekend stay or visit for a day trip, stepping onto the Stanley property feels like stepping directly into horror royalty. Here are the top highlights every King fan must experience:
1. Room 217 (The Stephen King Suite)
While Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation famously altered the iconic room number to 237 (at the request of the Timberline Lodge in Oregon), in King’s original novel and the 1997 TV mini-series filmed on site at The Stanley, Room 217 is where the true terror resides. Today, it’s the most requested room in the entire hotel, featuring a curated collection of Stephen King novels and a haunting atmosphere.
2. The Historic Night Spirit Tour
Do not leave without taking the Stanley’s official tour. The guides masterfully weave together Freelan Oscar Stanley’s architectural history with tales of paranormal encounters. You’ll visit the underground tunnels beneath the hotel, where staff used to travel, and walk the eerie halls of the 4th floor, famous for phantom footsteps and children’s laughter.
If you’re interested in a larger tour of Rocky Mountain National Park that includes the Stanley Hotel, this Get Your Guide offer is a good one.
3. The Hedge Maze
Interestingly, King’s original novel featured topiary animals that came to life rather than a hedge maze (the maze was Stanley Kubrick’s invention for the film). However, responding to decades of fan requests, The Stanley installed a lush juniper hedge maze in front of the main building in 2015. It makes for an iconic photo opportunity!
Raising a Glass at Cascades Whiskey Bar: “Hi, Lloyd…”
No trip to The Stanley is complete without pulling up a stool at Cascades Whiskey Bar & Lounge. Fun fact for die-hard fans: back when Stephen and Tabitha King stayed here in 1974, the real bartender who poured King’s drinks on that night was actually named Lloyd, the name King gave to the phantom bartender in The Shining!
My son and I pulled up two stools at the bar to soak in the dark, wood-accented historic ambiance. It’s really beautiful! As the bartender slid our glasses across the polished wood counter, I couldn’t resist channeling my inner Jack Torrance with a quiet “Hi, Lloyd… best goddamn bartender from here to Portland, Maine.” No I didn’t say that out loud but still.
Whether you’re sipping a top-shelf bourbon (the bar boasts one of the largest whiskey selections in Colorado) or enjoying a craft mocktail, sharing a drink in the very room where horror history took root is an unmissable bucket-list moment for any parent-child horror duo.
Horror Souvenirs: Treasures from The Stanley Gift Shop
Before heading out, you absolutely have to budget some time for The Stanley Hotel Gift Shop. Located on the lower level, it’s a treasure trove for horror pop-culture enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
I picked up a set of REDRUM wine glasses, perfect for sipping Cabernet while re-reading King’s novels or passing out Halloween candy, and a replica Room 217 vintage key tag. I turned my key into a Christmas ornament. Yes I am that person.
Exploring More of Colorado’s Pop Culture and Iconic Landscapes?
For Filming Location Fans: Check out my deep-dive tour of the Ohio State Reformatory (Mansfield Prison), the legendary location where The Shawshank Redemption was brought to life!
For Music and Rocky Mountain Lovers: If you’re exploring Colorado, don’t miss my guide to the Ultimate John Denver Colorado Pilgrimage, covering Aspen’s John Denver Sanctuary and iconic musical stops.
Planning Your Haunted Getaway: Book Your Stay
Experiencing The Stanley Hotel at night is completely different from visiting during peak daytime hours. Once the tour groups depart, the hotel returns to that quiet, brooding stillness that inspired King over 50 years ago.
Rooms at The Stanley Hotel, especially Room 217 and the paranormal rooms, book out months in advance. Check Rates & Book Your Stay at The Stanley Hotel on Expedia
Essential Tips for Stephen King Fans Visiting Estes Park
Book Early: If you want to stay in Room 217 or guaranteed ghost-hunting rooms on the 4th floor, reserve at least 6 to 9 months ahead.
Visit in Late Autumn: To replicate King’s late-season experience, visit in late September or October when the autumn chill sets in and snow begins dusting the peaks. We were there in early July 2016, and it was practically empty then too.
Watch the 1997 Miniseries: Unlike Kubrick’s movie, the 1997 TV miniseries starring Steven Weber was filmed right here at The Stanley! Watch it before your visit to spot exact locations.
Go or No?
Standing on the porch of the Stanley Hotel, looking out at the grandeur of Estes Park, it’s easy to see why Jack Torrance lost his mind, and how Stephen King found one of his greatest masterpieces. I highly recommend a visit!
I’ll see you on my next Off Duty Traveler adventure.