Stanley Hotel - Estes Park, CO - the inspiration for Steven King's ``The Shining''

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park offers one hundred and thirty-eight rooms for guests to choose from. The facility has a rich history, an amazing view of the Rocky Mountains and a number of amenities. Channel 42 on the televisions in the hotel play The Shining continuously.

F.O. Stanley went to Estes Park for health reasons during 1903 because of tuberculosis. He was to stay in a cabin located in the city through the summer, his health improved a great deal. He opened the Stanley Hotel during 1909. He and his wife built a house less than a mile from the hotels future location that is now a private residence since she missed the home they had left behind.

In 1872 Stanley purchased the land from Earl Lord Dunraven were he would eventually build the hotel. The building of the Stanley Hotel started during 1907, the rock and wood were gotten from the surrounding mountains. Georgian architecture was used to build the hotel. The hotel was made to be a summer resort so it did not have heat although it had electricity, telephones and running water in the facilities.

There are a number of people that believe Stanley Hotel is haunted. There have been several cases of paranormal activity reported through the years, mostly in the hotel's ballroom. Activity has included hearing parties, piano's playing and other things. The staff of the hotel believes that Stanley's wife is the one playing the piano. There is an apparition in the hotel that has been blamed for taking items from the guests as well.

The hotel is located at 333 Wonderview Avenue and offers a number of in room amenities for its guests. There are pillow top mattresses, no costs wireless Internet, iron and ironing board for the convenience of the guests. Some of the guests' rooms at the hotel have coffee makers, hairdryers, and voicemail. Guests can pay $10 each night and receive a rollaway bed; there are refrigerators available upon request for $10 a night as well.

The Stanley Hotel has the Steamers Cafy and the Cascades Lounge and Dining Room for guests dining options. There are also seasonal hiking tours and outdoor pool. There are reservations required for history tours which are $10 each person. Steamers' has an Internet cafy. The hotel has a fitness and business center for those that require them as well. There is a complimentary newspaper available during the week, valet dry cleaning and laundry. The facilities also have a spa and salon.

Anyone in the Estes Park, Colorado area that would like to stay in a hotel that inspired Steven King to write a novel should stay at the Stanley Hotel. There are numerous amenities and activities in the surrounding area to ensure that guests of the hotel enjoy not only its diverse history but the numerous things that the town of Estes Park has to offer. Additional information about the rates, services and directions to the facility can be obtained by contacting the hotel directly.