Nestled in the gorgeous mountains of Estes Park is the luxurious and historic Stanley Hotel, founded in 1909. One of the most notorious guests is Stephen King who wrote his best selling novel The Shining while staying here in Suite 217 – now named the Stephen King Suite. Another notable event that took place here is the filming of a few Dumb and Dumber scenes in the delicious Cascades Restaurant & Lounge. This hotel may be spooky and perfect for Halloween, but it is a Summer must due to the gorgeous grounds with greenery and floral all around.
Luxury Spa
Our first stop was, of course, the spa which is located in the Aspire building next door. I chose for the Aspire Classic Skin Ritual which detoxed my skin and re-nourished it from the inside out. Through the use of Osmosis Skincare from Evergreen, Colorado, my skin was left rejuvenated and ready to take on the rest of the day. Ava received the Classic Massage which brought relief to areas of her back that she did not think was attainable. We were able to relax and enjoy our treatments before heading over to the outdoor patio with a pool, jacuzzi, fresh planted floral, and a stunning mountain view.
Between the services and the beautiful patio, we left feeling balanced, restored, and relieved.
Dining Options
For food options, you can choose from Brunch & Co., The Post Chicken & Beer, and Cascades Restaurant. Brunch and Co. is the must spot for breakfast. They have a little bit of everything on the menu and it is the perfect beginning to your day with the mountain view. After that, explore, and then go to the Post Chicken & Beer for afternoon delights such as burgers and sandwiches. To complete the day, prepare for delicious food and drinks at Cascades Restaurant & Grille. Cascades was my preferred spot to eat all weekend as they had salads and steaks for everyone (including Impossible Meat). I highly recommend the Red Rum (ifyky) cocktail and the cheesecake for dessert. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu there! Take a seat at the bar as well such as Jim Carrey did in Dumb and Dumber.
Haunted Hotel
While on-site, The Shining Tour is a must for fans as the Stanley dives into the paranormal phenomena and Shining references. You will be able to see the Shining Suite and the Caretaker’s Cottage where there is a replica bathroom from the movie (minus the gore). Off-site, you are only 5 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, so take a trip over there to see wild bison, elk, and more! We went at sunset after eating at Cascades and saw hundreds of elk along with a gorgeous sunset over Estes Lake and the Rockies.
Time to RETURN
The Stanley has something to do for everyone whether it be enjoying the outdoors, relaxing at the spa, or having a glass of Riesling at the wine bar. I am already planning my next trip as it is only a quick 90-minute drive from Denver!
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