Stanley Hotel

Podcast Episode originally aired April 9, 2021.

Today, I’m going to be telling you about a grand place on the National Register of Historic Places, offering four types of accommodations, and has been the inspiration for one of the creepiest books ever written.

142 rooms, located about five miles from the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes, Colorado.
Built by Freelan Oscar Stanley of Stanley Steemer, it opened its doors on July 4, 1909.

It attracted upper-class Easterners and became a health retreat for sufferers of pulmonary tuberculosis before becoming the world renowned resort that it is today.

This week’s Spooky Space is The Stanley Hotel.

Freelan and his wife, Flora arrived in Estes Valley, Colorado in 1903, Freelan was weak and dying from symptoms of consumption - also known as tuberculosis. His doctor gave him just six months to live.
To their surprise, one visit here restored his health by 100%, better than he had even been before. He was so amazed, he vowed to return every Summer for the rest of his life. - He lived to be 91 years old.

The only problem he and Flora had was they were used to the more bustling society of the East Coast, and the small town community of Estes Park offered little in the ways of stimulation.

Freelan and Flora decided to build a beautiful hotel, so they purchased the land from Earl Lord Dunraven, who was run out of the area after trying to swindle the town folk.

When the Stanley Hotel opened on July 4, 1909, guests were blown away at the sight they pulled up to.
In the middle of nowhere wilderness stood a grand hotel that reminded them of the posh hotels at home.

Electric lights, telephones, en-suite bathrooms, a staff of servants, and a fleet of automobiles.

Needless to say, the hotel flourished, but by the 1970s, the hotel began to fade due to lack of care - there was no heat or air conditioning, which other hotels in the area offered. A visit by Stephen King may have actually saved the building, as it inspired one of his best selling novels -
The Shining.

Not only known for its old-world charm and service, but also its paranormal activity that folks still encounter today.

The most prominent of these spirits is Freelan himself.
Often seen in the lobby, and his favorite spot - in life - the billiard room, where he has actually popped in during tours. They say he has also been seen walking through the bar, only to disappear when they try to keep him from entering the kitchen.

Flora visits the hotel, probably trying to keep close to Freelan - as she did in life - but she also loves to play her piano.
It’s been said you can hear music coming from the room, and even see the keys moving, but as soon as anyone steps inside, the music stops.

Many rooms are also reported to be haunted.

Room 407 is said to have visits from Lord Dunraven, perhaps still trying to hold onto what he couldn’t in life, they say he likes to stand near the bathroom door - which in my opinion, why…and no thank you.

Guests witnessed a light that would turn on and off on its own, after telling the spirit they knew he was there, and they wouldn’t be staying long, asked to turn the light back on, the spirit obliged.
Although, later when trying to sleep, noises were constantly heard coming from an elevator near their room. Only thing is, it was not in use at the time.
There is also a face seen in the window of this room when its known to be empty.

Room 418 has had reports of strange noises when no one has booked to be in the room, sleeping impressions on the bed when it is empty, and often times guests can hear children in the hallway at night. One couple complained about children upon checkout, only to be told that there were no children staying at the hotel at the time.

Room 428 has had reports of footsteps, furniture moving around, and a friendly cowboy who stands at the foot of the bed. While there is no record of a cowboy dying at the hotel, people believe the cowboy to be “Rocky Mountain” Jim Nugent - one of the first Estes Park guides who passed away in 1874 after being shot outside by his rival, Griffith Evans’ home. He was in love with Griffith’s daughter who had eyes for someone else.
Could he just be looking for his lost love? It is said he likes to give women a ghostly smooch.

Room 217 has become the most requested room by visitors.
In 1911, there was a major storm, head housekeeper Elizabeth Wilson was lighting the lanterns in the room when there was an explosion. Wilson was blasted through the floor into the dining room below, luckily only suffering broken ankles. She still spends her afterlife seeing the room is kept up.
Guests have reported items being moved, luggage being unpacked, lights being turned on and off. Elizabeth is not a fan of unwed couples sleeping in the same bed and guests have reported an extremely cold force come between them, and the men’s luggage has also been packed.

The staircase in the lobby has become known as “The Vortex” as it holds quite an amount of paranormal energy, it’s said to possibly be a portal.

Cold spots, dizzy guests, and the feeling that something just walked through them. Orbs and distortions have been caught on camera, and even the Stanleys have been seen watching over production from the landing.

The fourth floor - as you can tell from the stories above - seems to be a busy hot spot for ghostly activity.
Children can be heard playing and closet doors open and close on “their own”. Over 100 years ago, the floor was just an attic. It became lodging for female guests, children, and nannies.

The concert hall - Flora’s favorite spot - where she plays the piano, features a trap door, the lower level used to house a bowling alley - which super fun, I love bowling alleys - but it has since been removed.
Paul, who used to enforce the 11 pm curfew is often heard telling guests to “get out” late at night. A worker once said he felt he was being nudged until he finally left. Tour guests have had their flashlights flicker when ask about Paul.

A child has been seen in various areas of the hotel, footsteps can be heard, and the apparition then seen.

Stephen King reported seeing the child on the second floor, calling out to his nanny.

When he and his wife, Tabitha were living in Boulder, King was struggling, and looking for isolation. After hearing Estes Park, they wanted to check it out. The Stanley was closing for season the next day, and they were the only guests in the large hotel, they ate in an empty room, with chairs on all but their table.
Tabitha retreated to their room, #217, shortly after, while Stephen wandered the hallways and even visited Grady in the hotel bar. He states that he had a nightmare about his son being chased in the hotel, he jerked awake, lit a cigarette, and created the shell of The Shining.

Jim Carrey also stayed in Room #217 when he was filming Dumb & Dumber, he was so spooked, he ran from the room half-naked in the middle of the night. Some of the film crew was also highly creeped out when they were in this room.

There is actually a pet cemetery on the grounds, and I want to touch on it because there’s a cat named Camanche and a golden retriever named Cassy who roam the grounds, as you can see pictured above the headstone reads “Cassy”.

If you take the 75-minute Historic tour, you get to visit the underground caved, it hsa been used by employees as a way to get around the hotel quickly and sources say one may still be down there.
The scent of home baked goods tend to linger, but where would they come from?
The pastry chef still utilizes the tunnels, as does a grey cat with glowing eyes.

A hedge maze was put in in 2015, done to connect the hotel to the movie The Shining.
While no ghosts have been reported here, people report feeling panicky and have trouble breathing when in the maze.

If you’re the adventure seeker, paranormal enthusiast, or even just a nature lover, the Stanley Hotel should be on your destination list if it isn’t already.
Tours are offered daily, and each area offers a unique experience for all who visit.

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