The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel

Location: Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel was built in the early 20th century by F.O. Stanley, co-founder of the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, which built a steam-powered car known as the "Stanley Steamer."  As the story goes, Mr. Stanley moved to the town of Estes Park, Colorado in 1903 for health reasons.  He purchased a large tract of land on which he built the Stanley Hotel.

The hotel, which opened for business in 1909, features  neo-Georgian architecture and luxurious furnishings. Among the many well-known people who have stayed at the Stanley Hotel over the years is the writer Stephen King.  Mr. King's novel The Shining is said to have been inspired by his stay at the Stanley, and portions of the TV mini-series based on that book were filmed at the hotel.  (The feature-length film of the same name was filmed elsewhere.)

For more about the Stanley and its history, visit the Hotel's website, and the Wikipedia page about the Stanley Hotel.