Nestled in the breathtaking landscape of Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel is a captivating blend of history and mystery, beginning with its founder, F.O. Stanley. An inventor known for the Stanley Steamer; Stanley's life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in the early 1900s. Following his doctor's advice, he ventured west to Colorado, where the clean, crisp air was believed to offer relief for those suffering from consumption. Upon arriving in Estes Park in 1903, Stanley and his wife, Flora, instantly fell in love with the area, prompting them to purchase 8.4 acres of land to build their future home.

Between 1903 and 1907, Stanley became deeply involved in the community, dedicating his efforts to improve the town's infrastructure. He raised funds from local business owners and collaborated with the state of Colorado to enhance the roads leading to Estes Park, particularly the route from St. Vrain Creek in Lyons. His commitment to the community not only facilitated access for visitors but also laid the groundwork for what would soon become a grand hotel.

In 1907, Stanley, alongside Burton Sanborn, purchased the land where the hotel now stands from Lord Dunraven of Ireland, who had his own extensive history with the area. With the help of architects, Stanley set about designing a hotel that would rival the luxurious establishments of New England. The result was a stunning Georgian colonial revival-style building, featuring rooms that offered breathtaking views of Longs Peak and the surrounding Rocky Mountains.

The Stanley Hotel opened its doors on June 22, 1909, ushering in a new era of luxury for guests arriving in this remote mountain valley. At the time, the United States was emerging from the Gilded Age, a period marked by rapid industrialization and the rise of wealthy families. The hotel aimed to provide an opulent escape for the elite, catering to both old money and new, with a promise of unparalleled comfort and extravagance.

However, by the 1970s, the hotel had fallen into disrepair, plagued by neglect and a lack of investment. Once a beacon of grandeur, it was on the brink of demolition. It was during this period that a well-known author, Stephen King, spent a fateful night in room 217, an experience that would forever change the hotel’s legacy. King’s night of eerie inspiration led to the creation of his famous novel, The Shining, revitalizing interest in the Stanley Hotel and paving the way for renovations that would restore it to its former glory.

Today, the Stanley Hotel stands as a prime example of F.O. Stanley’s initial vision, continuing to attract visitors with its majestic architecture, rich history, and, of course, its spirited charm.

The Haunted History of The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel, nestled in the majestic foothills of the Rocky Mountains, boasts a rich and eerie history that blends factual events with ghostly tales. From strange noises and flickering lights to the sensation of being watched, this historic hotel has become a beacon for paranormal enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. The stories surrounding The Stanley extend beyond its iconic main building, with multiple structures on the property reported to harbor their own ghostly presences.

Eerie Encounters and Ghostly Legends

One of the most notable locations for supernatural activity is the hotel’s concert hall, where the ghost of a former employee named Paul is said to enforce the venue's 11 PM curfew, urging late-night guests to "Get Out." Alongside Paul, the spirits of F.O. Stanley and his wife, Flora, are frequently mentioned. F.O. is often felt near the reception desk and hotel bar, while Flora’s playful spirit is known to tinkle the keys of the hotel’s old piano.

Among the many areas reported as hotbeds of activity, the fourth floor stands out as the most "spirited," with numerous accounts from both staff and guests detailing unsettling and intriguing encounters.

Room 217: The Birthplace of a Horror Classic

Room 217 is perhaps the most famous haunted space in The Stanley, largely thanks to author Stephen King. During a stay in 1974, King had a vivid nightmare involving his 3-year-old son being chased by a possessed fire hose. After awaking, shaken from the lucid dream, he lit a cigarette and stared out at the majestic mountain landscape. By the time the cigarette was finished he had the premise and outline of his iconic novel, The Shining. However, the room is not only famous for King’s experience; it is also home to the spirit of a chambermaid named Elizabeth Wilson. After caught in a tragic gas explosion in the room in the early 1900s, Wilson returned to work despite her severe injuries and continued to work in the hotel until around 1950. Today, her spirit is often felt tidying up guest belongings while they sleep, though she has been known to take issue with unmarried couples, who report a chilling presence beside them in bed. In a curious twist, actor Jim Carrey famously fled this room during a stay while filming Dumb and Dumber.

Room 302: A Haunting Presence

In Room 302, guests have reported seeing a male shadow moving along the walls, and there are accounts of pictures flying off the walls. One member of a paranormal investigation team even witnessed a table levitating, adding to the room’s ghostly reputation.

Room 401: An Unfriendly Entity

Room 401 is notorious for its unsettling atmosphere. Guests have described a male presence that feels unfriendly, with reports of an infamous haunted closet where women have experienced unwelcome touches. Men have also felt discomfort, some even claiming to be pressed into the bed at night. Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters had a glass on his nightstand shatter during his stay, heightening the room’s spooky allure.

Room 407: The Tucking Spirit

In Room 407, guests have reported a comforting yet eerie experience of being "tucked in" at night. Accounts include covers being gently pulled up after being kicked off, as well as indentations appearing on the bed. Guests have also witnessed lights flickering mysteriously and even a face peering out the window from the empty room.

Room 413: A Watchful Figure

Guests in Room 413 have encountered a man in old-fashioned clothing who silently observes them from the corner, adding to the room's haunted mystique.

Room 418: Playful Ghost Children

Room 418 is often referred to as a playground for ghostly children. Guests report playful encounters, such as covers being pulled off at night and the sensation of small hands tickling them. Laughter and sounds of children playing can be heard in the hallways, even when no children are registered as staying in the hotel.

Room 428: The Friendly Cowboy

Room 428 is known as the "cowboy room," where the spirit of a friendly cowboy in full attire has been seen pacing the floor. Many guests, especially women, report the cowboy leaning in as if to kiss them on the forehead. Unexplained noises from the attic above this room have also been noted, despite the challenging slope of the roof that would typically restrict movement in that space.

The Stanley Hotel continues to capture the imagination of those seeking the thrill of the supernatural, intertwining its rich history with stories of hauntings that keep guests returning for more. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the eerie allure of The Stanley Hotel is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Our First Investigation at The Stanley Hotel

For the team's first investigation of the iconic hotel, Investigators Tim and Roseann, visiting from the Denver area, felt an irresistible pull to this historic site, long celebrated for its ghostly tales. With a forecasted snowstorm looming on the horizon, they set off on the hour-long drive, eager to uncover whether the whispers of the past were true. Upon arriving, thick clouds blanketed the sky, casting an eerie glow over the hotel’s stunning architecture.

Their exploration began with "The Stanley Hotel Historical Day Tour," guided by a knowledgeable host who illuminated the hotel’s rich history, its architectural marvels, and the myriad stories that have woven themselves into its fabric. The tour offered a chance not only to learn but to investigate, allowing Tim and Roseann to navigate through the grand lobby, the iconic staircase, the original working elevator, and the impressive ballroom.

With their EMF reader in hand, the investigators ventured into the 1909 caretaker cottage, known for its spectral occurrences captured by previous guests. However, on this occasion, the cottage remained silent, offering no signs of activity. Despite the quiet, they left with plans to return for a nighttime investigation, hoping the shadows of the evening might bring forth the spirits that eluded them during the day.

Their next stop was the hotel's whiskey bar, where the atmosphere shifted dramatically. As they stepped inside, the EMF readings spiked, particularly at a bar stool near the entrance. This anomalous energy seemed to pulsate with life, dissipating as they moved away but flaring up again upon their exit. With no electrical sources nearby, the investigators were left wondering: was a ghostly patron reliving the past over a cocktail?

Moving forward, they encountered another intriguing phenomenon at Flora’s piano, located at the eastern end of the grand lobby. The piano radiated a captivating energy, though the investigators remained uncertain if it was the work of spirits or simply the historical weight of the instrument itself. Future investigations would reveal even more about this peculiar spot.

By the end of the day, it was clear to Tim and Roseann that the Stanley Hotel teemed with unexplained energy, a testament to its storied past. As gentle snowflakes began to fall, blanketing the area in a soft white, the investigators prepared to leave, already plotting their next visit.

In their quest for deeper understanding, they look forward to partaking in a nighttime tour, poised to explore the hotel’s darker corners and perhaps spend the night in one of its famously haunted rooms. Equipped with more tools and a burning curiosity, Tim and Roseann plan to return, ready to listen to the untold stories that awaited them in the shadows of the Stanley Hotel.

Spirits of the Stanley: Our March 2024 Investigation

Our second investigation of the Stanley Hotel took place in March 2024, and what a journey it was! Team members Mel and Adam arrived on a Tuesday morning, greeted by the crisp mountain air and the stunning vistas of Rocky Mountain National Park. After immersing themselves in the beauty of the area and exploring the quaint main street of Estes Park, they were ready for the evening’s activities at the iconic hotel.

An Evening of Exploration

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mel and Adam set out with their EMF reader, eager to explore the hotel’s haunted reputation. They began on the first floor, where the reader spiked dramatically near Flora's old piano. This particular spot is known to be visited by Stanley's wife Flora, who is often reported to linger near the keys. The readings fluctuated to different spots as they moved around the piano, but they remained focused in this intriguing area.

The duo then ventured to the whiskey bar, drawn by earlier reports of ghostly encounters. Unfortunately, the EMF reader yielded no signs of activity here. Similarly, the grand staircase, another hotspot for reported phenomena, produced nothing of note.

On the second and fourth floors, things took a peculiar turn when Adam began experiencing repeated shocks upon touching the walls and fixtures. Interestingly, the Mel felt nothing. This strange occurrence wasn’t isolated; several male guests shared similar experiences, while female guests remained unaffected. Oddly enough, the third floor seemed to be a dead zone for EMF readings as well as the "shocking" phenomenon.

As the night continued, a group of children and their parents spotted the investigators taking readings and eagerly wanted to join in. The children squealed with excitement when the EMF reader lit up, especially in the west wing of the fourth floor. They placed the device near the corner of one room, where it responded energetically, even though a nearby door—unlabeled and equipped with a keycard reader—yielded no readings. When one of the children opened the door, they discovered a linen closet, and as they took readings within, the EMF spikes intensified, particularly near the corner. The reader went haywire when placed inside a large plastic trash can containing remnants of glassware—no logical explanation could be found. The children giggled, declaring that a ghost child was playing hide and seek with them, a fitting description for the playful spirits often reported on the fourth floor.

The Shining Tour

That night, the team decided to indulge in the “Shining Tour,” a paranormal-inspired adventure led by a knowledgeable guide. The tour, enhanced by the ambiance of darkness, promised tales of Stephen King and the hotel’s ghostly residents. They wandered through the ballroom, learning about the hotel's rich history, and conducted EMF readings near the remains of an old concert stage. During this part of the tour, the reader spiked dramatically near a dark alcove towards the edge of the stage perimeter, only to return to neutral as they moved away. This spike was unexplained, adding an eerie thrill to the tour.

As they continued to other buildings, the guide shared spine-chilling accounts of a shadowy figure with glowing eyes haunting the carriage house. The guide even shared many pictures that have been captured of this strange phenomenon. The stories were accentuated by dim lighting, intensifying the atmosphere. Despite a thorough exploration, their EMF reader yielded no readings within the carriage house, but they left with a sense of intrigue.

The tour concluded at the “Shining Suite,” where they snapped photos in a recreated bathroom from the movie and marveled at an axe used during filming. While they didn’t capture any EMF readings in the caretaker’s cottage, it was steeped in a feeling of history and a delightful way to wrap up an eventful evening.

A Spirited Night in Room 418

With their spirits high, Mel and Adam returned to their hotel room, Room 418, known for its playful child entities. They set up interactive objects: wrapped candy pieces outside the door and two “spirit” balls on opposite sides of their room. The candy was placed to attract the spirits of child entities who reportedly unwrap candy left out during the night. The spirit balls are battery-operated and light up with bright red and blue lights when disturbed, easily noticed by any observer. The EMF reader was also placed strategically at the foot of the bed since guests have experienced feet being tickled and covers being yanked off the end of the bed in this room.

Within minutes of shutting off the lights, the EMF reader spiked dramatically. The ball near the window began rolling gently across the floor, seemingly responding to unseen forces. The floor was flat with no noticeable angle to it and the balls stood still easily when placed in their positions. One investigator noted, “This is going to be a long night,” as the room filled with energy.

Throughout the night, the EMF reader continued to spike, accompanied by strange sensations. One investigator felt small, cold fingers running through their hair—an experience both unsettling and intriguing.

Later, as the EMF reader was consistently spiking, Mel heard a persistent tapping on the bed followed by small indentations in the bedspread. After a short time listening to the taps and watching the indentations, Mel decided to see if the entity would mimic her tapping and joined in. Each time Mel tapped, a response followed, suggesting the unseen presence was delighted to play along. They tapped all the way down the side of the bed following Mel's prompts and leaving small indentations in their wake. This was a playfully fun experience that Mel will not forget.

The spirit ball that was so active initially, remained dormant throughout the rest of the night, but the one near the door lit up occasionally, correlating with spikes in the EMF reader. The ball rolling was interesting to watch especially as it stopped abruptly as all EMF readings returned to neutral.

The investigators also heard a strange jingling noise at one point, as if someone were attempting to enter their room. A check revealed no one in the hallway, deepening the mystery.

When morning arrived, the investigators inspected the candy left in the hallway, finding everything untouched and wrapped. Despite the quiet of daylight, the night had proven to be an extraordinary encounter with the unknown.

Reflecting on the Experience

While the investigators may not have had much sleep, their investigation was far from a failure. They captured tangible evidence of paranormal activity and gained a deeper appreciation for the stories shared by staff and guests alike. The Stanley Hotel isn’t just a haunted destination; it’s a vibrant tapestry of history, architecture, and ghostly tales.

As we look to the future, the team is excited about further investigations at this captivating site. The countless accounts of otherworldly encounters at the Stanley Hotel only add to its allure, leaving us eager for more spirited interactions in the future.