The Stanley Hotel: Room 217 vs. Room 401 – Which is Actually Haunted?
You’ve seen the movie. You’ve read the book. Maybe you’ve even whispered “redrum” into a bathroom mirror when no one was looking. But if you’re planning a pilgrimage to the Mecca of horror—The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado—you have a serious choice to make.
Do you book Room 217, the birthplace of Stephen King’s The Shining? Or do you brave Room 401, the stomping ground of a notorious land-grabbing Earl who allegedly hates men?
It’s the heavyweight title fight of paranormal tourism. Let’s break it down, cut through the hype, and find out where you’re actually likely to lose sleep.
The Celebrity Suite: Room 217
This is the main event. The headliner. It’s the room that launched a thousand nightmares.
The Stephen King Connection
In late September 1974, Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, checked into The Stanley. They were the only guests. The hotel was closing for the winter the very next day. They were given Room 217.
That night, King had a nightmare so vivid it jerked him awake, sweating and shaking. He dreamt his three-year-old son was being chased down the hotel’s endless corridors by a coiled fire hose. By the time he smoked a cigarette on the balcony, the skeleton of The Shining was set.
But is it actually haunted?
The Ghost: Elizabeth Wilson
Here’s where the facts get interesting. The “ghost” of Room 217 isn’t a murdered axe-wielder. It’s Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, the hotel’s former head housekeeper.
In 1911, a gas leak caused a massive explosion in Room 217. Elizabeth was in the room lighting a lantern. The blast blew the floor out from under her, dropping her straight down into the MacGregor Room below.
Did she die? No.
According to historical records from the Estes Park Museum, Elizabeth Wilson survived, broke her ankles, and continued working at The Stanley until the 1950s. She died peacefully at home, not in the hotel.
The Haunting Style: Helpful but Prude
Guests in Room 217 rarely report terror. Instead, they report… service.
- Unpacked Luggage: You leave for dinner, come back, and your clothes are neatly folded in the drawers.
- Straightened Shoes: Boots lined up perfectly by the bed.
- The Chaperone: This is the weird one. Unmarried couples often report feeling a cold force wedging between them in bed. Apparently, Mrs. Wilson holds onto some old-school values.
Verdict on 217: It’s iconic, historical, and slightly creepy. But it’s not malicious. It’s more like staying with a strict grandmother who really wants you to tidy up.
The Dark Horse: Room 401
If Room 217 is the polished celebrity, Room 401 is the gritty underground legend. This is where the hardcore ghost hunters go.
The Ghost: Lord Dunraven
The legend claims this room is haunted by the Fourth Earl of Dunraven, Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin. He was an Irish aristocrat who essentially tried to steal all of Estes Park for his private hunting reserve in the 1870s.
Here is the reality check: Lord Dunraven never stayed at The Stanley Hotel.
Verified historical timelines show Dunraven left the area for good around 1884. F.O. Stanley didn’t open the hotel until 1909. Dunraven died in London in 1926. So, if there is a ghost in 401, it’s projecting itself across time and space just to be a jerk.
The Haunting Style: Aggressive and Territorial
Despite the historical mismatch, Room 401 (and the entire 4th floor) has a significantly darker reputation than the 2nd floor. The 4th floor was originally a cavernous attic where children and nannies stayed, which might explain the heavy energy.
Guests and paranormal investigators, including the Ghost Hunters crew, have reported:
- The Closet: This is the focal point. The closet door allegedly opens and closes on its own.
- Physical Touch: Women frequently report feeling a hand on their waist or hair. Men reportedly feel unwelcome, sometimes waking up with the sensation of being watched or pinned down.
- The Jewelry Thief: Small items like rings and watches vanish from nightstands, only to reappear in bizarre places later.
- The Glass Implosion: In a famous account during a Ghost Hunters investigation, a glass of water on the nightstand reportedly imploded while the camera was rolling.
Verdict on 401: This is the room for adrenaline junkies. The phenomena reported here are physical, startling, and often unfriendly.
What Are People Saying Now?
I scoured recent forums, travel blogs, and Reddit threads to get the current pulse.
- The “Heavy” 4th Floor: Recent guests consistently describe the 4th floor as having a “heavier” atmosphere. One traveler in early 2025 described the bedspread in a 4th-floor room sliding down “smoothly, as if pulled by invisible hands.”
- 217 is for History Buffs: Most recent reviews of Room 217 focus on the cool factor of the Stephen King library inside the room rather than actual scares. It’s become a bit of a museum piece.
- Tours are Packed: The hotel now leans hard into the spooky angle. They play The Shining on a continuous loop on channel 42. If you want a quiet, skeptic-friendly stay, The Stanley might genuinely annoy you with its commitment to the bit.
Final Verdict
So, which key card should you grab?
Choose Room 217 if:
- You are a massive Stephen King fan.
- You want the bragging rights of staying in the room.
- You prefer your ghosts to be helpful, tidy, and arguably nonexistent.
Choose Room 401 if:
- You actually want to be scared.
- You are interested in physical phenomena (lights, doors, touching).
- You don’t mind a ghost who might try to steal your watch.
My Professional Advice?
If you want the best sleep of your life, book a room at The Lodge (the newer building next door). But if you came for the stories? Go to the 4th floor. That’s where the air feels thin, the floorboards creak a little louder, and the shadows seem to have a mind of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Stanley Hotel Hauntings
Was The Shining actually filmed at The Stanley Hotel?
No, and this is the biggest misconception out there.
While The Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write the book, Stanley Kubrick’s famous 1980 film adaptation was not shot in Estes Park. Kubrick used the Timberline Lodge in Oregon for the exterior shots and built massive sets in England for the interior. However, if you watch the 1997 TV miniseries of The Shining (the one King actually liked), that was filmed entirely on location at The Stanley.
How far in advance do I need to book Room 217?
You need to plan way ahead. Because of its massive pop-culture fame, the “Stephen King Suite” (Room 217) is typically booked out 6 to 12 months in advance, especially during the Halloween season (October). If you’re feeling lucky, you can check for last-minute cancellations, but don’t hold your breath.
Pro Tip: If 217 is booked, try asking for Room 401 or Room 428; they are often easier to snag and arguably more active.
Is The Stanley Hotel suitable for children?
Yes, but with a caveat.
The Stanley is a functioning, upscale historic hotel, not a haunted house attraction. It is family-friendly, and you will see plenty of kids there. However, the hotel leans heavily into its spooky reputation. They play The Shining on a 24-hour loop on one of the TV channels, and the “Spirited Night Tours” can be a bit intense for younger children. If your kid scares easily, maybe skip the ghost tour.
Besides Room 217 and 401, are there other haunted spots?
Absolutely. The paranormal activity isn’t limited to just two rooms.
The Concert Hall: This is a hotspot. It is reportedly haunted by Paul, a former handyman who died there. Visitors often hear “Get out!” whispered in the basement.
The Grand Staircase: Many guests report seeing F.O. Stanley or his wife, Flora, on the main stairs. Flora is also known to “play” the piano in the music room, with keys striking phantom notes.
Room 428: Located right above the famous Room 217, this room is known for the “Friendly Cowboy.” Guests claim to see a man in a cowboy hat standing at the end of the bed who eventually just fades away.
Do I have to stay at the hotel to experience the ghosts?
Not at all. You don’t need a room key to get spooked. The Stanley offers the Stanley Hotel Spirited Night Tour, which is open to the public. These walking tours take you through the most active areas of the property, including the Concert Hall and the tunnels.
Note: You usually cannot enter guest rooms (like 217) on the tour unless they are unoccupied, which is rare.
Is the hotel open year-round?
Yes.
Unlike in the novel The Shining, where the hotel gets snowed in and closes for winter, The real Stanley Hotel is open 365 days a year. In fact, winter is one of the most atmospheric times to visit. Seeing the Rockies covered in snow while you sip whiskey at the Cascades Whiskey Bar is an experience you won’t forget—just watch out for the winding roads on the drive up from Boulder.
Have you stayed in either of these infamous rooms? Did Mrs. Wilson fold your undies, or did Lord Dunraven hide your car keys? Drop a comment below and tell us your story—if you dare.
Source: reddit.com
