Where is it located?
The Stanley Hotel is an iconic landmark, located in Estes Park, Colorado. It’s still a lively hotel under use, and a popular tourist destination. People visiting the Colorado for a vacation very often visit this place, not just for the haunting and stuff, but for its natural beauty. Here we will maybe focus on the more “serious stuff” 🙃.
What’s the history in here?
There are numerous scary stuff about the Stanley Hotel, beginning with the place it was built on, the people who lived here, the deaths, the many numerous events that took place here. There were too many here, Let’s see the events that supposedly make this hotel a haunted place.
The Room 217, The Stephen King Room
This is the most famous room of The Stanley Hotel. With numerous historical events this room has gained the attention of many people. It starts with the event of a gas leak. It is said that the lead housekeeper of this hotel, Elizabeth Wilson, was lighting acetylene lanterns in the room when one of them exploded. She was badly injured, but managed to survive. However, her spirit is said to still be present in the room. The reality of this event is highly debated, the gas leak was real and the explosion as well. Elizabeth lived for many more years after this event, and had a normal death afterwards. It is said that after her death people have experienced that she is still haunting the room. Guests in this room have reported many sightings of a woman in the room, things moving on their own, feeling the presence of the unknown.
Another story is about “A tragic love story”. It is said that once a young couple came and stayed in this room. The man was called off by a business meeting. The woman fell extremely ill and died in that room. The man, when he came back was devastated to see this. Till date people say that they experience a sadness and despair in that room. The truth of this is highly debated though.
The room gets it’s name from the one of the super famous guests in this room, Stephen king. His book “The Shining”, which was one of his best selling novels, brought the room 217 into limelight. It is said that he experienced a terrible nightmare in that room at night, which was his inspiration for his best selling novel.
Stephen King stayed in this room in 1974. His book “The Shining” inspired from the nightmare he had in this room was made into a movie. This movie bought attention to the room 217 of this hotel.
The Lightning strike
The night of July 4th, 1911 was a really fateful night for this hotel. A thunderstorm hit the Estes park, and a lightning struck the Hotel’s top floor, which was used as staffs’ quarters. This led to the hotel catching a fire. Everyone was made to leave the hotel, Elizabeth Wilson, who was at room 217 at that moment was too afraid to leave at that time. She however survived.
The Concert Hall
Nestled within the historic walls of the haunted Stanley Hotel, the mesmerizing concert hall stands as a testament to love and lingering spirits. Crafted with devotion by F.O. Stanley as an exquisite gift for his beloved wife, Flora, this grandiose venue boasts more than just architectural brilliance. Beneath its stage lies a mysterious trap door, once a portal for theatrical entrances and exits that now harbors a secret history.
The lower level of the concert hall, shrouded in echoes of the past, once housed a two-lane bowling alley—a hidden gem lost to time. Over the years, the hall has witnessed a symphony of repair and renovation, breathing new life into its spectral corridors. Yet, amidst the revitalized ambiance, it remains a cherished sanctuary for Flora Stanley herself, who is rumored to enchant the night with her haunting piano melodies.
Enter the enigmatic presence of Paul, a spectral guardian with a penchant for enforcing the 11pm curfew during the hotel's early days. Guests and employees alike have reported eerie encounters, hearing disembodied voices urging them to "get out" late into the night. The concert hall, Paul's domain, bears witness to his lingering influence, as a brave construction worker felt the insistent nudges of an unseen force until he yielded and left the premises.
Paul's spectral charisma extends to the realm of tour groups, where he emerges as a benevolent entity, playfully interacting with visitors. With a mischievous flicker, he responds to their requests, demonstrating a fondness for illuminating their flashlights upon command. As the haunted tales of the Stanley Hotel continue to captivate, the concert hall emerges as a stage where love, history, and otherworldly encounters harmoniously coalesce, inviting all who dare to explore its spectral symphony.
The Vortex
The Hotel exhibits the stunning staircases in between the floors are commonly known as “The Vortex”, The tornado of spiritual energies. This place is said to be a portal for spiritual energies to come and go. Many guests have experienced paranormal happenings in this area. Cameras have captured orbs and distortions in this place. Some say that Mr and Mrs. Stanley have been seen on the stairs watching the hustle bustle in this place.
The Underground caves and the basement
So, if you decide to take the 75-minute Historic Stanley Night tour, you're in for a deep dive into the mysterious underground cave system beneath the hotel. These caves, rich in limestone and quartz, hold a reputation for being a hotspot for paranormal energy. Interestingly, they used to be a secret passageway for employees to navigate the hotel, and rumor has it that at least one of them might still be lingering down there.
According to current staff, there's a peculiar phenomenon in the tunnels, a lingering scent of freshly baked goods, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. The story goes that it's the ghostly essence of the pastry chef who once served the Stanleys when the hotel first opened its doors. Imagine that, the aroma of home-baked treats wafting through the underground, adding a dash of otherworldly sweetness to the experience.
But that's not all. There's also talk of a mysterious grey cat with luminous green eyes prowling about in the tunnels. Strangely enough, this feline isn't known to be a resident of the pet cemetery, leaving one to wonder if it emerged from wherever those clandestine tunnels once led. It's like a real-life ghost story with a touch of curiosity and a hint of sweetness lingering in the subterranean corners of the Stanley Hotel.
Another story that I’ve read is that once upon a time there used to be a girl who was illegally living in the basement. She used to hide in those caves while the security guards came. Later on she was caught and kicked out of the hotel. The night she was kicked out, it was a super cold freezing night. It is said that she froze to death outside. Now she supposedly is among the many ghosts that haunt the hotel. The tour guides show that by placing a lollipop on your hand it starts moving to and fro, as she loved them.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, weaves a tapestry of history, mystery, and spectral encounters that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. From the infamous Room 217, steeped in the haunting legacy of Elizabeth Wilson, to the dramatic lightning strike of 1911 and the enigmatic vortex staircases, each corner of this iconic landmark holds tales of the paranormal. The underground caves, with their limestone and quartz allure, beckon those seeking a brush with the otherworldly, while the concert hall resonates with the melodies of the past. As guests embark on the Historic Stanley Night tour, they not only delve into the eerie depths of the hotel's history but also find themselves entwined in a ghostly symphony that lingers in the air, inviting both shivers and fascination. The Stanley Hotel stands not only as a testament to its architectural grandeur but as a portal to a realm where the past and the paranormal intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on those daring enough to explore its haunted corridors.
Thanks for reading, Stay safe ^^
