The Peculiar Ghostly Encounters at the Historic Stanley Hotel
The Haunted Stanley Hotel: A Hotbed of Paranormal Activity in Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, has a reputation that precedes it - a reputation as one of America's most haunted hotels. Visitors and staff have reported various paranormal activities, adding credence to the hotel's haunted status.
The hotel, which was opened by Freelan O. Stanley and his wife Flora in 1909, was outfitted with the latest technology of the time. However, it seems that some of the technology was beyond human understanding, as numerous reports of ghostly apparitions, phantom footsteps, unexplained lights, shadowy figures, and ghostly music have been reported over the years.
One of the most famous rooms in the hotel is Room 217, where Stephen King spent a night in 1974. It was here that he had a strange nightmare that inspired the idea for The Shining. Room 418 is another hotspot, with reports of ghostly children's laughter and running footsteps. The Concert Hall is also said to be haunted, with Flora Stanley tapping on the piano keys and occasional ghostly "Get out!" reports.
In October 2017, a new photo of ghostly activity surfaced, showing two haunting, vaporous girls near a staircase inside the hotel. Jay Mausling, who took the photo, claimed there were no girls present in the room when the photo was taken. Similarly, Meghan Levy and her fiancé Kyle visited the hotel in April 2016 and found a strange anomaly in one of their photos - a mysterious figure peeking through one of the windows. This figure is believed to be the ghost of Lucy, a young runaway girl who once took refuge in the hotel's basement and later died.
The land's previous owner, the 4th Earl of Dunraven, is said to haunt Room 407 of the hotel. Another ghostly encounter in Room 418 involved a Stanley Hotel tour guide. Stephen Wagner, About.com's Paranormal Phenomena Expert, has collected a ghost story about a man named George who encountered what may be the ghost of a young child looking down at him from a window at the hotel.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, the hotel's extensive and consistent history of paranormal reports strongly supports its reputation as a haunted location. The hotel offers tours and experiences that embrace its haunted reputation, drawing significant tourist interest.
In conclusion, while the existence of ghosts remains a subject of debate, the Stanley Hotel's haunted reputation is undeniable. Each of the hotel's 140 rooms holds a secret, and each of its walls tells a story that is as intriguing as it is mysterious. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a visit to the Stanley Hotel is sure to leave you with a memorable experience.
[1] History.com Editors. (2021). The Stanley Hotel. [online] Available at: https://www.history.com/news/the-stanley-hotel
[2] Connolly, J. (2021). The Stanley Hotel in Colorado: One of America's Most Haunted Hotels. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/story/the-stanley-hotel-in-colorado-one-of-americas-most-haunted-hotels
[4] The Stanley Hotel. (2021). The Stanley Hotel. [online] Available at: https://www.stanleyhotel.com/
[5] The Stanley Hotel. (2021). Ghost Tours. [online] Available at: https://www.stanleyhotel.com/things-to-do/ghost-tours/
- The Stanley Hotel's reputation for paranormal activity extends beyond its haunted rooms, as some tourists also claim to have encountered ghostly encounters during their lifestyle explorations of the surrounding Estes Park, Colorado, adding an extra layer of mystery to their travel experiences.
- Alongside its rich history of ghostly experiences, the Stanley Hotel also offers entertainment options for its guests, such as paranormal-themed events and sports-themed gatherings like the annual Haunted Hustle 5K race, blending fantasy with everyday pastimes.
