The Stanley Hotel

The Stanley Hotel first opened in 1909. The original owner F. O. Stanley was forced to move west due to his bad health. So he took his famous steamer and moved to Estes Park in 1903. Mr. Stanley wanted to help the economy out in his new hometown, so he purchased 115 acres and began to build the hotel in 1907; it took 2 years to complete. With 138 rooms the Stanley Hotel is massive in size as well as being placed in a beautiful isolated location overlooking the mountains.The Stanley Hotel was featured in Stephen King's "The Shining" which starred Jack Nicholson. Some of the famous guests that have stayed in this hotel are President Theodore Roosevelt, The "Unsinkable" Molly Brown as well as Stephen King Himself. Who actually wrote the book while he stayed in the hotel. Even though this Hotel was not actually featured in the film it inspired Stephen King's book, as well as Stanley Kurbick's film.