Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Yes, The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is open and accepting overnight guests, tour visitors, diners, and eventgoers. The historic property remains closely linked to Stephen King’s The Shining, but it is also a working mountain resort with four lodging options, daily tours, entertainment, dining, and access to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
Quick Answer
The Stanley Hotel is still open in Estes Park. You can book a room, visit its restaurants and attractions, or reserve a Historic Day, Ghost, or Shining tour. Room 217 is available for overnight stays, although it often sells out. Tour prices, routes, parking fees, and event schedules can change, so confirm them before traveling.
Key Takeaways
- The hotel is open, with lodging in the original Stanley Hotel, The Lodge, Aspire Hotel & Spa, and The Residences.
- Stephen King’s late-September 1974 stay helped inspire The Shining, but Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film was not filmed at the hotel.
- Current tours include the Historic Day Tour, Stanley Ghost Tour, and theatrical Shining Tour.
- Room 217 is a real, bookable guest room, not merely a tour stop.
- Advance booking is wise because popular rooms, tours, and events have limited capacity.
Is the Stanley Hotel Still Open?
Yes. The Stanley Hotel’s official website currently offers room reservations, tours, dining, entertainment, spa services, and event bookings. The property promotes year-round experiences and lists four ways to stay: the original Stanley Hotel, The Lodge, Aspire Hotel & Spa, and The Residences.
The hotel is also completing improvements across parts of the property as it prepares for the planned Stanley Film Center, which the hotel says is expected in early 2028. These projects do not mean the entire hotel is closed, but construction can affect routes, views, parking, or access to individual areas.
Note: A room reservation is not required for every tour or public attraction. Day visitors are welcome on hotel tours, but individual restaurants, shows, and experiences may require separate reservations or tickets.
Why the Stanley Hotel Is Famous for The Shining
Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, stayed at the Stanley in late September 1974, when they were the hotel’s only overnight guests before its seasonal closing. On King’s official website, he explains that the empty corridors suggested the ideal setting for a ghost story. After dreaming that his young son was being chased through the halls by a fire hose, King said he had the basic structure of the novel in mind.
The distinction between the book and its screen adaptations is important. The hotel inspired King’s idea, but Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film was not filmed at The Stanley. The hotel did, however, serve as a production location for Stephen King’s 1997 television miniseries. The current Shining Tour explains these differences.
The Stanley inspired the idea for the Overlook Hotel, but the fictional hotel and its supernatural events are not presented as a factual history of The Stanley.
What the Stanley Hotel Tours Include
The Stanley offers several tours rather than one all-purpose experience. As checked on July 24, 2026, the main hotel tours differ in subject, price, capacity, and accessibility.
| Tour | Main focus | Listed price | Capacity | Wheelchair access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Day Tour | F.O. and Flora Stanley, architecture, history, folklore, and pop culture | $25 standard; other listed rates include $20 for ages 8–17 and $23 for hotel guests or eligible AAA members | 20 | Yes |
| Stanley Ghost Tour | Reported hauntings, documented history, and hotel folklore after dark | $30 standard | 20 | Yes |
| The Shining Tour | The novel, Kubrick’s film, King’s miniseries, and the hotel’s themed spaces | $30 standard | 14 | No |
Each of these tours lasts about 60 minutes and has a minimum age of 8. Routes can change with venue availability, weather, season, and hotel operations. The Historic Day and Ghost tours do not enter guest rooms. The Ghost Tour also avoids guest floors at night.
Stanley Hotel Ticket Prices, Age Rules, and Visitor Policies
There is no single ticket price for every Stanley Hotel tour. Current listed standard prices range from $25 for the Historic Day Tour to $30 for the Ghost and Shining tours. Prices and discounts may change, so use the hotel’s official tour pages as the final source before paying.
Ticket Cost and Reservations
- Historic Day Tour: $25 standard, with lower listed rates for children ages 8–17, hotel guests, and eligible AAA members.
- Stanley Ghost Tour: $30 standard.
- The Shining Tour: $30 standard.
- Reservations: Advance purchase is strongly recommended because tickets are sold according to available space.
- Changes and refunds: The hotel states that tour bookings cannot be transferred, canceled, or refunded less than 24 hours before the scheduled time.
Age, Accessibility, and Conduct Rules
Children under 8 are not permitted on hotel tours, including infants carried by an adult or placed in a stroller. Pets and alcoholic drinks are not permitted. Photography is allowed, but audio and video recording are not.
The hotel advises guests to arrive at least 10 minutes early. Some routes may cover up to about 1.25 miles and may include stairs or outdoor areas. The Historic Day and Ghost tours are listed as wheelchair-accessible, while the Shining Tour is not.
Warning: Estes Park is at high elevation, and the tour route may involve extended walking, stairs, and outdoor exposure. Bring water, dress for changing weather, and contact the tour office before booking if mobility or altitude is a concern.
Pro Tip: If accessibility matters, choose the Historic Day or Ghost Tour and confirm the day’s route with the tour office. The hotel notes that routes can change based on availability and time of year.
Where the Stanley Hotel Is in Estes Park
The Stanley Hotel is at 333 Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, Colorado 80517. It sits near downtown Estes Park and the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, making it practical for travelers who want both a historic hotel experience and access to mountain scenery.
The hotel opened in 1909 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its official site describes it as only minutes from the national park. Travel time from the Denver area varies widely with traffic, weather, road work, and seasonal congestion, so avoid planning a tight arrival window.
Stanley Hotel Rooms and Stay Options
The property currently offers four main lodging experiences:
- The Stanley Hotel: Historic rooms and suites in the original building, including several “spirited” room categories.
- The Lodge: A smaller boutique-style property with historic character.
- Aspire Hotel & Spa: Modern rooms and apartment-like suites, some with kitchens, laundry facilities, balconies, and air conditioning.
- The Residences: Fully equipped private condo-style accommodations suited to families and groups.
Can You Book Room 217?
Yes. The hotel currently lists Room 217 as the “217 Spirited Grand King”, with a king bed, sleeper sofa, mountain view, and standard guest-room amenities. It is one of the property’s most requested rooms, so availability may be limited and rates can be higher on popular dates.
The themed Caretaker’s Cottage and Shining Suite are presented as attractions connected to the Shining Tour rather than ordinary overnight room categories. Do not confuse that display space with the bookable Room 217.
How Much Does a Stanley Hotel Room Cost?
There is no reliable flat nightly rate. Prices change by property, room type, date, demand, package, taxes, and fees. The most accurate approach is to enter your travel dates in the hotel’s official booking system and compare the final totals for The Stanley, The Lodge, Aspire, and The Residences.
Ghost Tours, Séances, and Other Attractions
The Stanley has built a large part of its visitor experience around history, folklore, performance, and paranormal-themed entertainment. Treat supernatural stories as part of the hotel’s lore and guest reports rather than proven fact.
Ghost Tours
The 60-minute Stanley Ghost Tour explores reported hauntings and the stories connected to them after dark. The official description says guides discuss both documented history and folklore. The current route does not enter guest rooms or guest floors, and the tour is listed as wheelchair-accessible.
Theatrical Séances
The hotel currently promotes 13: The Séance at The Stanley, a limited-seating theatrical experience. It is entertainment, not a scientific demonstration of paranormal activity. Dates, age limits, ticket prices, and performers may vary, so check the event page before making plans.
Other Themed Attractions
- The Caretaker’s Cottage and Shining Suite featured through the Shining experience
- The Underground theater and magic performances
- Concerts and limited-run live events
- Dining, whiskey, wine, chocolate, and seasonal experiences
- The Frozen Dead Guy Tour and International Cryogenics Museum
How to Book Your Stanley Hotel Trip
- Choose your lodging style. Compare the original hotel, The Lodge, Aspire, and The Residences.
- Enter your exact dates. Room prices are dynamic, so compare total charges rather than relying on an old average.
- Reserve tours separately. Tour tickets are capacity-limited and may not be included with a room.
- Review accessibility and age rules. Children under 8 cannot join the main hotel tours, and the Shining Tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
- Check parking and cancellation terms. The hotel currently lists card-only tour parking at $10 from May through October and applies time limits to tour changes and refunds.
- Recheck before departure. Construction, weather, traffic, and hotel events can affect access and timing.
Book rooms and review current packages through the official Stanley Hotel website. For general hotel questions, call +1 (970) 577-4000. For tour questions, contact the tour office at +1 (970) 577-4110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stanley Hotel still open?
Yes. The property is accepting bookings and offering tours, dining, entertainment, spa services, and events. Improvements are underway in selected areas, so confirm access for the dates of your visit.
Can you stay in Room 217 at the Stanley Hotel?
Yes. Room 217 is currently listed as a bookable Spirited Grand King room. It is popular because Stephen King stayed there before writing The Shining, so reserve well ahead when possible.
Was Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining filmed at the Stanley Hotel?
No. The Stanley inspired Stephen King’s novel, but Kubrick’s 1980 movie was not filmed there. Stephen King’s 1997 television miniseries did use the hotel as a filming location.
How much does it cost to stay at the Stanley Hotel?
Nightly rates vary by room type, property, travel date, demand, taxes, and fees. Check the official booking system with your exact dates instead of relying on a fixed average such as $200 per night.
Can you tour the Stanley Hotel without staying there?
Yes. Day visitors and hotel guests can purchase tour tickets, subject to availability. Tours do not include access to occupied guest rooms.
Are children allowed on Stanley Hotel tours?
The main hotel tours allow guests age 8 and older. Children under 8, including carried infants and children in strollers, are not permitted.
Conclusion
The Stanley Hotel is still open and remains one of Estes Park’s best-known historic attractions. You can stay in Room 217, choose from four lodging styles, take a history or paranormal-themed tour, and explore the hotel’s connection to The Shining. Book through official pages, verify current rates and policies, and leave extra time for mountain weather, traffic, and property improvements.
Sources
- The Stanley Hotel official website — current operating status, lodging choices, attractions, improvements, and contact details
- Stanley Hotel tour policies — age rules, walking distance, parking, recording, arrival, and cancellation policies
- The Stanley Hotel: The Shining Tour — price, duration, capacity, accessibility, and adaptation details
- The Stanley Hotel: Room 217 — current room description and bookable status
- Stephen King: The Shining — King’s account of the 1974 stay that inspired the novel
- Rocky Mountain National Park, National Park Service — official park location and visitor information