The Stanley Hotel

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.

This hotel was a complete disappointment, beginning with rushed and surly check in which provided no information at all about the hotel amenities. The room -- billed as a "suite" (which to me suggests larger than average, with a seating area) -- was tiny, had a large portable A/C unit blocking access to the bed on one side, no water, no mini-fridge, shabby dilapidated furnishings, tiny (less than full height) closet, no robe, etc.. Our room was next to the one (very slow) antique elevator, which ran loudly until late in the evening. We were not provided the bottle of wine that was supposed to come with our reservation and when this was raised with the front desk the day after we checked in, we were told there was an error made but that providing the wine was not now possible. The restaurant was completely mediocre for dinner. The hotel is totally overrun with mobs of tourists doing ghost-related things, including on guest room floors. Honestly, the place should just cease being a hotel and commit fully to being the tourist attraction that it is.