Set jetting The Rocky Mountains hotel that inspired The Shining

Named one of the best horror novels of all time, Stephen King’s The Shining this year celebrates its 45th anniversary.

Stemming from a stay at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, USA, the original concept of the story came from the author’s own real-life experiences.

While living in nearby Boulder, the hotel was recommended to King and his wife, Tabitha but, on arrival, they found they were the only guests staying that night, creating an eerie atmosphere which served as inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in the book.

In the film adaptation, Jack Nicholson plays protagonist Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer who takes up the position of winter caretaker at the hotel, with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd).

Danny is gifted with ‘the shining’ – psychic abilities that enable him to see into the hotel’s horrific past. After being snowed in by a winter storm, Jack’s sanity deteriorates due to the influence of the supernatural forces inhabiting the place.

Built in the Rocky Mountains in 1909, The Stanley still attracts fans of The Shining every year. Although the interior has been renovated over time, its turn-ofthe-century feel remains and it is said to have ‘high-spirited’ activity. Guests can stay in the Stephen King Suite, No 217, as well as ghost hunters’ favourites 401, 407 and 428, the most-requested rooms.

Fans can also join a 60-minute Spirited Night Tour through the dark edges of the hotel to hear spooky tales and see the ghostly locations for themselves.

Meanwhile, Estes Park itself is packed with more than 200 shops, restaurants and galleries, or head to Estes Park Museum to learn about Native American tribes and notable Colorado artists.

Estes Park is also the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park where the landscape boasts botanical colours, alpine lakes, forests and snowy mountaintops with opportunities for hiking, cycling, camping, rock climbing and water sports.

Rooms at The Stanley Hotel are from $319.

stanleyhotel.com, colorado.com

Bag a bargain hotel stay for February halfterm with Travelodge. The budget chain has released 100,000 rooms for £29 a night across its 582 UK hotels. At sites with a Bar Café there are also offers for free kids’ breakfasts and meal deals for both adults and children.

travelodge.co.uk