The story behind the stay
Dive deeper into the history, the mystery, the legends, and the landscape that makes this historic hotel in Estes Park so unique.
Centuries of history
The Stanley Hotel is more than a place, it is a collection of all the moments in time that came before it.
It is a tale of adventure, admiration, healing and growth.
Come with us on a journey back through time to discover the rich lore that set the foundation for your next stay.
The Stanley team
A natural oasis that could never be tamed
Known first to the Ute and Arapaho nations as ‘The Circle’, the legacy of Estes Park’s verdant flora and fauna is as old as the land itself. In 1872, this legacy reached the ears of the Earl of Dunraven, a keen sportsman who dreamed of turning the land into a private hunting reserve. The rising popularity and demand for the land eventually shut down his dreams, but it opened the doors to the Colorado wilderness for everyone to enjoy.
Restorative mountain air
When Freelan Oscar “F.O.” Stanley was first prescribed a stay in Estes Park for his ailing health; he hadn’t a clue that his stay would set in motion the founding of The Stanley Hotel and all that came after. Yet as his body reached unprecedented levels of wellness, he vowed to return every summer. In the years that followed he and his wife Flora summered in the area, however they yearned for familiar East Coast sophistication, which felt worlds away from the rustic realities of their new home…
A luxury hotel rises in Estes Park
From the dreams of F.O. Stanley and Flora, a luxurious hotel named The Stanley was born. Situated in the heart of Estes Park, it was developed with wellness and grandeur in mind. The space maximized airflow from the mountains and boasted the latest modern amenities such as electric lights, telephones, en suite bathrooms, uniformed staff and a fleet of automobiles. Naturally, the burgeoning town developed around the hotel, and by 1917, it was an official municipality with waterworks, a power plant, and civic organizations, all thanks in some small part, to F.O. Stanley.
From civic legacy to literary fame
In the years following the opening of The Stanley Hotel many a grand affair was thrown, but in time the luster faded. In the final throes of the hotel's life a fortuitous moment came in the form of a guest and a novelist, Stephen King. His one fateful night at the hotel inspired his third major bestseller, The Shining. His masterpiece of horror put The Stanley back on the map and began a new era for the hotel.
The restoration of an icon
For today and for the future, The Stanley Hotel stands as a landmark of luxury in Estes Park. Guests join us from all around the world to explore the impressive history, test paranormal bounds, join our literary tours, recuperate with lavish spa treatments, and experience the wonders of nature in the comfort of our 4-star hotel. As we look to the future, guests can expect a new film centre, a refurbished entrance, and more restoration of the historic Stanley Hotel.
