Stanley Hotel - Real Haunts in Estes Park CO

The Stanley Hotel is a pretty famous haunted building and claims it was the inspiration for the haunted horror film "The Shining" by Stephen King. It has a long oral history of "ghostly adventures" that have occured there and it is well aware of the money to be made off of its haunted reputation. They have admitted to charging more than $150 for their "haunted" rooms than they do for any other room at the same time of the season. They have ghost tours and a psychic that does readings. It has been stated that if you stay in one of the haunted rooms, people will most likely stand outside the door trying to call out to the spirits. The hotel was built in 1909 by Freelan and Flora Stanley of the Stanley Steamer fortune. The two orignally made their way to Colorado to alleviate the symptoms of Freelan's tuberculosis but they enjoyed it so much that they ended up purchasing property and building a home. Shortly after, they built the Stanley as a summer resort for their guests they wished to entertain during their extended vacations in Colorado. It has been rumored that Flora may still be "living" at The Stanley as one of her favorite pastimes was playing the piano, and the piano is often heard late at night when no one is around. People have also heard sounds of revelry occurring in the empty bedroom. Room 217 and 401 get singled out for special attention as it has been many different occurences have been reported in these two rooms. Room 401 has been rumored to have a haunted closet where a man is seen standing and noises have been heard coming from it as well. Room 217 is rumored to be haunted by a spirit who is believed to be the long term housekeeper of the Stanley's. Rumor says that if she likes you, she will help you unpack your luggage. Room 217 is also the room Stephen King stayed in that apparently inspired The Shining. (it should be pointed out however, that another hotel also claims to be the inspiration and King has stated that the Stanley is not the inspiration).

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