The Stanley Hotel

We stayed at the Stanley for four days in early September 2025. We found the property lacking in many features, large and small, that what would be considered required in a luxury property as advertised Upon an early arrival at 3pm, we were told that we would need to pay $50 to enter a room that was actually already ready prior to the 4PM check in time. We paid gladly this as we wanted to get ready for a 4pm tour. Entering, we found a room that the staff had left with the AC turned off. The room temp was 80 degrees and didn't cool off until we opened a window later that night. The room had an unusual AC unit that failed to ever actually cool the room (especially the bathroom) throughout our stay. Daily, the property was overrun by visiting tourists from 10am till 9pm, negatively impacting hotel guest use of the common spaces and the restaurants. We had dinner in the Stanley Cascades restaurant at 8pm one nigh (the earliest reservation we could get). During dinner, when I inquired about a restroom, I was directed to a restroom off the lobby with six people lined up in front of it. Finally entering, I found a single-person restroom that had not been serviced for some time with a roll of toilet paper propped up on the empty wall dispenser, a large roll of paper towels laying on the sink countertop and a waste basket overflowing to the floor. Overall, we found the food and service in the restaurants to be uneven at best. We attended an 8:30pm magic show in the lower level of the Post restaurant. Leaving in the dark, we had to walk on a road (no illuminated sidewalk) back to the main hotel with cars passing alongside. Visit as a tourist if you must, but the realities of staying in this property fail to justify the quality of service and the prices charged.

I recently stayed here for two nights with my daughter. We were visiting from the UK doing a tour around Colorado. From start to finish our experience of this hotel was excellent. Check in was fast and very helpful and informative. Our room was clean with huge comfortable beds and a nice bathroom. We were informed on arrival that there was no housekeeping to the room but if we needed anything to ask. The wine bar terrace was a lovely place to have a drink and relax. The food and service in the main restaurant was very good, and we had breakfast one morning at Brunch and Co which was excellent. There were a lot of people around on tours but this was no problem at all. Altogether an excellent stay in a lovely hotel.

We had friends with us this trip, so decided to take them to the Stanley just because they had never been. My husband & I had been before. Thinking maybe something might have changed, boy was I wrong. It’s like a 3 ring circus focusing only on the paranormal, obviously it’s their big draw. Went in to get a drink at the bar, 4 of us mind you, & 1 had an ice tea. $54.00. That will be the last time we go. Management has completely ruined it & its original history.

Overall, anticlimactic and overpriced. Cascades dinner was extortionate and less than superior. The hotel is beautiful, the beds are comfortable and the views amazing. We stayed two nights but were surprised there is no daily housekeeping to remove garbage, make bed etc. After hiking 7 miles, I looked forward to chilling in bed to watch TV channels I don't have at home, but was surprised to only have 2-3 channels dedicated to the hotel and its history and Estes Park. The staff seemed bored and wanting to be anywhere but there. We were celebrating our 30th anniversary and I'd advised the hotel several times, but there was no acknowledgement or interest. As we drove around we noticed a number of nice places along the river as you get closer to RMNP. If I get back, I'd book one of those. They've milked Stephen King's one night visit 50 years ago to death.

The historic Stanley Hotel was once a grand hotel. The ship has sailed. It’s in dire need of upgrades, maintenance, etc. The rooms are pricey and not worth it as they lack toiletries, the ability to adjust heat/air conditioner, shabby carpet, outside back staircase needs new joist hangers, windows need to be replaced, etc. The place is also very dirty. Just a tired place. If you like the color rust then you may like the place. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.