Is the Stanley Hotel Haunted?

Is the Stanley Hotel haunted? Pat and Rebecca explore one of the world’s most haunted hotels. The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Over the years many guests have claimed to see ghosts and experienced paranormal activity. Is it true?

Questions Explored in this Episode

What is the history of the Stanley Hotel? Who was Freelan Stanley? Why did he build the hotel, and how long did it take? When did Stephen King stay at the hotel? What happened while he was there to inspire him to write The Shining? Was the movie The Shining filmed at the Stanley Hotel? What are the most popular ghost stories told about The Stanley? Why do they keep a team of paranormal investigators on staff? What is some of the evidence people claim to have that show ghosts at the hotel? Is it haunted?

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The Stanley Hotel in WinterListener Mail and Questions

This week’s listener mail is a piece of real snail mail from a listener telling us about the “mean, tiny boy” picking on her son, but she has never seen him. Have a spooky story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 630-448-2138 and we might read or share it on the podcast. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!

Antique Chickering Piano at The Stanley HotelHistory of the Stanley Hotel

Pat explores the history of Estes Park and the Stanley Hotel. Freelan Stanley stayed in the Estes Park area while recovering from tuberculosis. This inspired him to build a hotel for others to receive the same benefits. Several famous guests have stayed at the hotel. One of the most famous was Stephen King, who was inspired to write The Shining after spending the night there in 1974. Listen to hear more #PatFacts about the hotel and how it has gained its reputation as one of the world’s most haunted hotels.

Freelan Oscar Stanley, original owner of The Stanley HotelThe Debate on The Stanley Hotel

Listen to Rebecca and Pat debate if the hotel is haunted. Visitors report at least 12 ghosts, including Freelan and his wife Flora Stanley; Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper who still cleans; and Paul, the caretaker who still ushers out those who stay out past opening in the Concert Hall.

Photo of Ghost Girl on the Grand Staircase at The Stanley Hotel. Photo credit: The Mausling FamilyPoll Results

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Sources for this Week’s Episode
Stanley Hotel: https://www.stanleyhotel.com/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stanley_Hotel
Our Community Now: https://ourcommunitynow.com/attractions/take-a-ghost-tour-through-colorados-haunted-iconic-stanley-hotel
https://ourcommunitynow.com/travel/colorado-statecations-your-room-is-ready-at-these-haunted-hotels
https://ourcommunitynow.com/local-culture/urban-legends-and-myths-of-colorado-part-ii
https://ourcommunitynow.com/local-culture/5-most-haunted-places-in-colorado_0/2?
Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/stanley-hotel-an-investigation/
National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2018/11/view-usa-haunted-stanley-hotel
Legends of America: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/stanley-hotel-colorado/
ABC Action News: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/the-stanley-hotels-haunted-reputation-and-how-it-inspired-the-shining
Nightly Spirits: https://nightlyspirits.com/stanley-hotel-ghost-stories/
Trip Savvy: https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-haunted-stanley-hotel-4108817
YouTube Series from The Dark Zone: Spirits of the Stanley: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL34zsUPmZp5p4yYzW-7kVqgBSpBR2gdVI&fbclid=IwAR3JjoIsUZ8syw1O0eqcJ7pHPvq4h4j-dU_xxUf2dnTQ7rcbRirI3So_ITU

Music for this episode was performed by Michael Rivers
Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann

“Pat Facts” and “Ghost Story” themes by Mondo