The Stanley Hotel

Our Stanley Hotel 2-night, 3-day stay was a mixed experience. The positives were the clean linens, clean bathroom, stunning mountain views, and the unmistakable historic charm of the property itself. The connection to Stephen King’s directed and produced version of The Shining (not the one with Jack Nicholson) added a fun dimension to the stay, and we recommend the Historic Tour. It was informative, interesting, and one of the highlights of our visit. However, there were several disappointments that affected our overall experience. especially at almost $400 per night (including all fees & taxes). First, there was little transparency regarding housekeeping. We later learned that rooms are cleaned only every third day, but this was not communicated at check-in, nor was there any notification of this in our room. We did not expect daily housekeeping, but we did expect basic communication about the policy. By the end of second day, we had to request that our waste baskets at least be emptied. Another major issue was the extensive construction surrounding the property. Currently, there is major construction activity virtually all around the hotel, and likely will be for quite some time. Unfortunately, this significantly impacts the beauty and tranquility of the grounds and walking areas; most were closed off. We wish the hotel had been more transparent about this before our booking. Because of the construction, we would recommend staying in downtown Estes Park or perhaps at the Aspire, which is a bit away from all the construction. Additionally, our room appeared dusty and not to have been vacuumed thoroughly prior to arrival. Finally, the front desk staff during both check-in and check-out came across as curt and somewhat indifferent rather than welcoming. Overall, The Stanley remains an iconic and historically interesting property, but the current construction, lack of communication, and uneven guest experience made this stay fall short of our expectations.

Honestly save your money, we have stayed here multiple times and it seems actual hotel guests come last. None of the property restaurants had walk in availability. We had to park far away due to construction. Paying over $1,000 to stay here, hotel guests should at least have food options when they’re busy due to it being a big tourist attraction. Also you pay to park for $10 if you’re just visiting but you get a token to use on purchases at the Stanley. Hotel guests get free parking, but have to park in a dirt lot down a hill lugging luggage. I think if they even had a hotel guest focused cocktail hour or restaurant access at a certain time that would be great. Or make the top lots hotel guests only and the bottom dirt lots just for day visitors. The rooms are nice, but have to remember it is an old building so you’ll hear everything and there’s not A/C in the main hotel or lodge so we always have the windows open and fan going. Is it worth the $1,000+ to stay here? Probably not unless they change their focus on the folks that pay to stay here. Hotel guests are kind of an afterthought. The cascades restaurant is good (when you can get it or get a reservation) their menu changes often, this stay we didn’t really see anything we truly liked. Steak is good, but don’t want that every night of our stay. The post was a long wait for a table, go close to closing we got to sit at the bar and got food quick and it’s actually tasty chicken. Cherry Company is a great Estes Park staple coffee is great. Location is perfect for Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley offers a lot of tours we recommend The Vault Tour if you’re into Whiskey. This is my 5th time staying here and we are hoping after construction, it will be a more enjoyable stay, but for right now just save your money. Additionally we were going to have our wedding here and we are glad we didn’t, would’ve been a nightmare for guests to park.

Living on past glory. Room was very hot all night, cheap window AC too loud, 15 minutes to get hot water, no mater when, grounds were pathetic, coffee awful in room and in dining, breakfast terrible. Staff was arguing why breakfast was late opening. Furniture throughout the hotel was tired and dirty. Cheap displays. Nothing about this hotel lived up to the image they are trying to sell. New management or owner is truly needed

We were in the Lodge portion. No entry level entry only stairs, no bell service. For seniors with mobility issues carrying heavy luggage up stairs was hard. Also with high altitude climbing stairs was hard. Tiny room and bathroom not worth the price.

No service, rooms old and not cared for and way over priced for the level of accommodation and service. No one is available at the hotel in the evening - the phone just hangs up as it is after hours as of 8pm - a joke for a hotel. Lost electricity and there was no one to call - no emergency #