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Historic Hotel that Inspired Stephen King’s The Shining

The Stanley Hotel may be best known for its role in Stephen King’s classic horror novel The Shining, which was inspired by King’s first visit to the historic estate next to Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition to the main hotel, the property features two separate buildings where guests can stay. The recently-renovated Lodge at The Stanley, previously known as The Manor House, is located adjacent to the main hotel. Meanwhile, the Aspire Residences are the newest addition to the property, located adjacent to or nearby the main hotel. The Aspire Residences feature luxury décor, 360-degree views, and industry-leading amenities. The Historic King Room offered with this deal is located in the main hotel, while the Lodge King Room is located in The Lodge at The Stanley, and the Aspire King Studio is located in the Aspire Residences.

• Make yourself at home in one of their stately guest rooms, most of which feature unique accents, from cushy chairs to framed artwork.
• Grab a bite at Cascades Restaurant, located in the main hotel, which pairs locally sourced cuisine with varietals from its wine list, which won Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
• Enjoy a stiff drink at The Whiskey Bar & Lounge, which boasts more than 900 selections of bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches.
• Winter activities: Guests can purchase discounted Eldora ski lift tickets from the front desk for $79. Alternatively, book an outdoor adventure tour or a full or half day guided trip into Rocky Mountain National Park, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry sledding, backcountry skiing, ice climbing and avalanche safety awareness.

Estes Park, Colorado: Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park

At an elevation of 7,522 feet, Estes Park is a small mountain town known as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Along Elkhorn Avenue, the main drag of downtown Estes Park, you’ll find the usual souvenir, taffy, and ice-cream shops—but also local breweries and independent restaurants. The resort town also has a popular outdoor ice rink, open on the weekends in the winter months.

Each year, more than three million people head into Rocky Mountain National Park to access 300 miles of hiking trails and admire stunning mountain vistas. The park’s most popular hike is the half-mile loop around the flat terrain of Bear Lake, but the crowd thins out somewhat if you continue onto Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes. Park trails are often covered with snow, but you can strap on a pair of snowshoes and make the trek to the alpine lake at The Loch or the summit of Deer Mountain.

Weather permitting, consider taking one of region’s spectacular scenic drives. Trail Ridge Road bisects the national park east to west, bringing travelers up to a maximum elevation of 12,000 feet above the tree line. Trail Ridge Road offers a somewhat direct route to the western half of the park, where you’re most likely to see moose. Another option is the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, which wends past the Continental Divide, offering views of Longs Peak—the park’s highest summit, at 14,259 feet. Before you embark on any drive, be sure to check the road status report.

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