The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park continues to draw visitors interested in its storied past and its direct connection to one of the most popular horror novels of all time, Stephen King's "The Shining." King's 1974 stay in Room 217 at the historic hotel directly inspired the chilling tale, which has sold over 10 million copies since its initial publication nearly 50 years ago. It remains King's most popular work, boasting over 1.7 million Goodreads ratings.
"The Shining" tells the story of Jack Torrance, who, after losing his job at a private school, moves with his wife Wendy and their five-year-old son Danny to a remote Colorado Rockies mountain. There, Jack assumes the role of winter caretaker for the fictional Overlook Hotel. As the story unfolds, young Danny’s extrasensory powers awaken the malevolent forces within the Overlook, leading to a terrifying experience for the family. The hotel terrorizes them with ghosts, topiary bushes that come to life, and "vibes so bad" that they reactivate the symptoms of Jack’s alcoholism, even in the absence of alcohol on the premises. This gripping narrative established itself as King’s third book and his first hardcover bestseller, cementing its place in literary history.
For fans of the novel and film adaptations, and those simply curious about the inspiration, The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park provides an immersive experience. Visitors can stay at the hotel, taking in the majestic views of the Colorado Mountains, and potentially find some literary inspiration of their own. Beyond a simple stay, The Stanley offers "The Shining Tour," a 60-minute walking tour. This guided experience explores the nuanced differences between King’s original novel, the widely recognized 1980 Stanley Kubrick film adaptation, and the 1997 miniseries. The tour delves into intriguing behind-the-scenes stories from each production, including explanations for specific creative decisions, such as why Kubrick’s movie was not filmed at The Stanley Hotel while the miniseries was.
Interestingly, for Kubrick’s acclaimed film, some of the exterior shots were captured at the Timberline Lodge, located on the south side of Mt. Hood in Oregon. The Timberline Lodge made a specific request to Kubrick, asking him to change the room number featured in the film from the actual Room 217 to a non-existent Room 237. The hotel's intention was to deter guests from requesting to avoid the real Room 217. However, this decision had an unexpected outcome: Room 217 at the Timberline Lodge has, to date, become their most requested room.
The genesis of "The Shining" was remarkably swift. King reportedly took only four months to write the initial draft of the novel. Its significant impact and enduring appeal have been subjects of discussion among literary enthusiasts. New York Times canon editor and lifelong King fan Gilbert Cruz, for example, joined Jeff and Rebecca on the podcast Zero to Well-Read for a conversation about the book’s influence. The discussion is available on various platforms including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
