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- The Stanley Hotel Continues To Creep Us Out In 2023
Summary
- The Stanley Hotel may be famous for inspiring Stephen King's book, but 'The Shining' was actually filmed elsewhere.
- Room 217 at the Stanley Hotel is haunted by Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper who died in a gas leak accident.
- The fourth floor of the Stanley Hotel is the most haunted, with reports of paranormal activity like children's laughter and strange lights.
The Stanley Hotel was Stephen King's inspiration for his book called The Shining. He spent a night at this Boulder, Colorado hotel with his wife back in 1974, and he had a dream while sleeping that turned into a famous book and movie. Many guests have claimed that the rumors are true and it is indeed haunted, but King was the one to put it on the map.
We have discovered the creepiest things that have happened in this haunted hotel. The ghosts might not be violent or angry, but their presence will instill fear into your soul. Keep reading to learn ten creepy things you didn't know about the Stanley Hotel!
UPDATE: 2023/08/04 14:59 EST BY NOAH STAATS
The Stanley Hotel Continues To Creep Us Out In 2023
This post has been refreshed with new facts surrounding the Stanley Hotel, as well as other spooky information. Whether someone's seen the film or not: this haunted hotel is not one for the faint of heart. Beware of the fourth floor!
11 The Shining Wasn't Even Filmed Here
- The movie, 'The Shining,' was never shot inside or around the Stanley Hotel.
One of the more shocking details of the Stanley Hotel is that the movie, 'The Shining,' did not take place inside. Instead, the film was shot almost entirely in the studio at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England, with some exterior scenes being filmed at the Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood in the Hood River area of Northern Oregon. This has always baffled people and continues to be a lesser-known secret of the film and hotel after all these years.
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10 Elizabeth Wilson Resides In Room #217
- Room #217 is one of the most notorious at the Stanley Hotel.
- It's haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth Wilson, a housekeeper who died inside.
This is the most famous room in the entire hotel, and for good reason. There was a maid named Elizabeth Wilson who was lighting the gas lamps in the rooms many years back, but room 217 had a gas leak that blew the room apart and flung her body a story down.
She did survive with a few broken bones and continued to work at the hotel for a few more years, but for some reason, she chose to stick around here after her demise. Elizabeth still keeps to her housekeeping routine as people return to their rooms to find their luggage unpacked, shoes being lined up, and shadows seeming to pass through the walls.
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9 Room #428 Has A Friendly Cowboy
- Room #428 at the Stanley Hotel features a friendly cowboy ghost.
- People have reported being kissed on the forehead by him.
There is the ghost of a cowboy who frequents this room in the dead of night, but he just likes to sit in the corner or pace the floor. He is quite the gentleman as one couple asked him to leave the room, and he obliged, and other ladies have awoken to him kissing their foreheads goodnight. No one knows his story, but everyone can respect a man who respects the ladies, even in the afterlife.
8 Ghost Children Like To Play Games With Those in Room #418
- Ghost children play throughout the Stanley Hotel: especially in and around room #418.
- The infamous twins from 'The Shining' are based on these tales.
This particular room is haunted by ghost children who like to play with the objects in this room. Guests have seen lights flicker, hangers move of their own accord, and some people's covers are even ripped off of them during the night.
A four-year-old girl stayed in this room a few years back and told her mother in the morning that a young boy had tickled her in the night, but he left after she asked him to stop. Children are known to make up stories, although it is hard to think of this as just a funny coincidence.
7 The Concert Hall Is A Flurry Of Paranormal Activity
- One of the most paranormal-active sections of this hotel is the concert hall.
- Employees and guests have died in and around the concert hall, leading to its activity.
This is one area where a lot of people report hearing and feeling the touch of ghosts. There was a worker named Paul who used to enforce the curfew in the hotel, but unfortunately, he passed away back in 2005 after suffering a heart attack on the job.
People say you can hear him telling you to "get out," while others swear he tried to push them out the door into the hall. The founder of the hotel named, Flora Stanley, was known for her pianistic skills which are often shown off in the concert hall as guests claim to hear music even when no one else is in the room.
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6 Lucy The Ghost Also Haunts The Hall
- A small girl who had been thrown out of the Stanley Hotel and perished still haunts the concert hall and basement.
Many years ago, a young girl named Lucy was found in the hotel basement peeping at some construction plans. The staff found out and threw her into the cold, where she froze to death, and now she haunts the concert hall and basement.
A guest on the tour took the picture above, which showed a young girl in a hot pink dress, but no one on their tour was wearing that sort of attire. It was also strange as everyone agreed they never saw a girl that looked anything like that during the time they were there, which only proves that Lucy does exist.
5 The Male Ghosts Are Handsy With The Women
- Male ghosts are also known to get handsy with female guests.
The male ghosts who reside in this hotel are not ashamed to touch young women during their stay, as guests have claimed to feel a presence stroking their hair, kissing their cheeks, or hands running along the length of their bodies. If anyone in the group feels a ghost near or on them, a simple 'no thank you, I'm taken' might work. However, a more stern warning towards them might be required if they're persistent. Hands off, bud.
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4 Lord Dunraven Makes His Presence Known
- The original owner of the Stanley Hotel, Lord Dunraven, makes his presence well-known to guests of the Stanley Hotel.
- It's also believed he haunts room #401.
Lord Dunraven was the original owner of the piece of land that the Stanley Hotel resides on. He never once visited the hotel, but it is hard to believe that the Irish man who haunts room #401 could be anyone else.
He is another ghost that likes women and is unafraid to wrap an arm around them or play with their hair, but he isn't a fan of men. He generally gives a feeling of unwelcome or steals their valuables while they are away as the price for their stay.
3 Room #407 Has A Friendly Ghost
- Room #407 has a much nicer ghost than some of the others, often showing compassion towards younger guests.
No one has ever seen the ghost that haunts this room, but it is apparently very friendly and caring based on its actions. A little boy once stayed in the room and kept kicking off his covers, and every time he did, the ghost would tuck him back in.
Other guests have also reported being tucked in at night in this room, while some say the ghost likes to sit on the edge of the bed. It is the perfect room for someone who wants to experience paranormal activity but not be frightened by it in a way that makes them scared to fall asleep.
2 A Man Often Appears In Room #413
- There is a male ghost who likes to pop into room #413, presumed to be a guest who died inside.
It is not uncommon for ghosts in old fashion styles to appear in haunted places, and room #413 is no different. There have been several guests who reported seeing a man sitting in the corner of the room in an old-fashioned suit that doesn't fit with today's style.
Other reports have been made of a man's face in a blue ball resting outside this room, which probably scared more than a few people. It is more than a little creepy, but we wouldn't expect anything less from a restless ghost.
1 The Fourth Floor Is Definitely Haunted
- The most haunted floor at the Stanley Hotel is the fourth level.
- This is where most paranormal activity occurs.
If you want to hear the sounds of ghosts, then you should book a stay on the fourth floor. You can hear children's laughter, partygoers returning after a long night, and the pitter-patter of children's feet running down the hall.
People have also seen strange lights, and some say they felt a presence while they were in this hall, all of which we wouldn't deem as normal activity in a hotel. It is hard to say it's not haunted when there are so many reports pointing to ghosts on this particular floor.
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