I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my dear friend Jen Jen's wedding in early June. The wedding took place in Estes Park at the Della Terra hotel which was an absolutely stunning location for the ceremony.

We spent the first two nights at the Stanley Hotel which is where we had the bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner.  The hotel is reputed to be haunted and was the inspiration for the movie the Shining.  Though I tend not believe in these kind of stories,  I have to admit I had an eerie feeling that I was being watched the entire time I was at the hotel.

Here are a few of the stories that I heard from staff who work at the hotel:

The ghosts of Freelan Stanley and his wife Flora, who built the hotel in 1909, have been seen dressed in formal attire on the main staircase and in other public areas, such as the lobby and the billiard room.

More than one guest has said they have awakened to find their blankets taken from their beds and neatly folded.  I can't imagine a ghost strong enough to rip the blankets out of my equator accustomed hands.  So thankfully this was not an issue for me!

Room 217, was the site of a tragic accident in 1911: housekeeper Elizabeth Wilson was nearly killed by a gas leak explosion. Since her death in the 1950s, strange, unexplained activity is said to take place in that room, including doors opening and closing, and lights switching on and off by themselves.

There are so many more stories, but much more than the tales of hauntings,  the Stanley hotel was a beautiful location to reconnect and catch up with so many friends from near and far.