The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel
333 Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517
Hours & Cost
Historic tours run daily starting at 10 a.m. Winter hours may vary, so check the website to reserve a spot.
Visiting the hotel grounds and lobby is free. Tour pricing:
Historic Stanley Day Tour: $25
Ghost Tour: $30
The Shining Tour: $30
Prices are subject to change; check the website for current rates.
About
The Stanley Hotel has been Estes Park's most recognizable landmark since 1909. The white facade and red roof are hard to miss, but the history behind them is what keeps people coming back.
It starts in 1903, when Freelan Oscar Stanley, the inventor behind the Stanley Steamer automobile, arrived in Estes Park on doctor's orders. He had tuberculosis, and the mountain air did what the doctors hoped. He and his wife Flora returned season after season, eventually deciding that a simple cabin wasn't enough.
Construction began in 1907. Stanley brought his inventor's instincts to every detail: he built a hydroelectric plant on Fall River to give the hotel full electricity, a rarity at the time, and arranged for custom Stanley Steamer cars to ferry guests from the Lyons train station. The hotel opened in 1909 and transformed Estes Park from a quiet outpost into a proper resort town.
Today the revitalized property offers tours, events, several restaurants, and a connection to one of American literature's most famous stories.
Fun Facts & Features
In 1974, Stephen King and his wife stayed at the hotel in winter as the only guests. The empty halls and their stay in room 217 inspired him to write The Shining. The movie was filmed elsewhere, but the hotel leans into the connection: a dedicated TV channel plays the film on loop, and a tour covers the book and film productions in detail.
The hotel also has a well-established reputation for the supernatural. Guests and staff have reported piano music with no visible player, figures in empty hallways, and the sound of children playing late at night. Ghost and paranormal tours are available for those who want to dig into the stories.
Also on-site: a wellness spa, a gift shop, a chocolate factory, and The Vault, a whisky tasting room with a private, curated collection. Aiden Sinclair's Underground runs a magic show in a subterranean lounge. An original Stanley Steamer car is on display in the lobby, and the historic day tour covers the architecture, notable guests, and the building's full story.
Several restaurants operate on the property, including The Post Mountain House. Notchtop Bakery & Cafe and Mountain Home Cafe are both within walking distance if you want to explore the town.
Local Tips
Sign up for Deal Alert emails to catch upcoming specials.
The main lobby and hotel grounds are open to visitors. No reservation needed to look around.
Magic shows and concerts run throughout the year; check the website for the current schedule.
The hotel hosts weddings and private events. Worth a look if you're planning something.
