The Stanley Hotel is one of Colorado’s most infamous locations, known for alleged paranormal activity and inspiring Stephen King’s famous 1977 novel the brilliant.
King developed the idea for his famous horror tale after spending a night at the Estes Park Pavilion in 1974. But the Stanley Hotel in fact up to its terrifying fictional counterpart, the Overlook Hotel?
Let’s find out.
Similarities Between The Stanley Hotel and The Overlook Hotel
King clearly took creative liberties when writing the brilliant, but parts of his story are rooted in truth. According to independent travel catsthe Stanley Hotel closed for the winter due to a lack of central heating until 1983, leaving it deserted for months at a time – as did the Overlook (the hotel keepers are a real thing too).
Screenrant.com Reports that King received service from a bartender named Grady, although the real Grady (probably) wasn’t a murderous lunatic.
However, the publication notes that the Stanley Hotel is home to the iconic Room 217, and at the time of the author’s stay, the room contained a clawfoot tub surrounded by a curtain.
Yet while the play gave King goosebumps, his ghostly creations came from his imagination. Let’s look at where the Stanley deviates from the Overlook.
Differences between Stanley Hotel and Overlook Hotel
For starters, no one committed murder at the Stanley Hotel. Apart a deadly gas explosion in 1911, the lodge lived a fairly peaceful existence. According to on the hotel websiteowners Freelan and Flora Stanley enjoyed their mountain getaway and lived to a ripe old age.
A second difference is that the Stanley Hotel did not have the famous hedge maze featured in the brilliant movie (although there is one now). In reality, popsugar.com reports that the film was not shot at the real Stanley at all.
Another controversial contrast is that there is no evidence that the hotel is even haunted…or is there? Check out some of the scariest stories about the Stanley Hotel in the gallery below.
Are you still afraid? 16 shocking ghost encounters at the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel is arguably the most haunted place in Colorado. If you’re a paranormal skeptic, these 16 stories from northern Colorado might change your mind.
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