The terrifying overnight stay in one of America's most haunted hotels that inspired The Shining
The 1980s film The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring a young Jack Nicholson, has become a cult classic of the horror genre in recent years.
Loved by horror fans the world over, it's based on acclaimed author Stephen King's 1977 book of the same name.
But at the time of the release of the film, it was reportedly panned by critics and had a mixed reaction from audiences.
READ MORE: The sad reason Shelley Duvall retreated from Hollywood after The Shining
Even more so, King wasn't too impressed with the film or the character arc of Jack Torrance.
In the psychological horror, recovering alcoholic and writer Torrance becomes a caretaker of the rural Overlook Hotel and moves in with his family, before slowly descending into madness, seeing ghosts and trying to kill his wife and son.
The real-life Stanley Hotel, in Colorado, actually inspired King's work and is where The Shining miniseries of 1997 was filmed. His overnight stay in the '70s inspired him to write the novel.
However in the film, the Timberline Lodge in Mt Hood, Oregon is actually pictured.
The Stanley Hotel is reportedly one of the most haunted places in America.
READ MORE: '80s horror star spotted at convention
The Stanley Hotel seemingly enjoys its spooky reputation and offers visitors and horror fans a tour called "The Shining Tour," costing $US30 per person ($AU58).
"On this tour you will get the inside scoop on Colorado's most famous dog, you can snap a photo of the re-created bathroom, and catch a glimpse of one of the Axes from the filming of The Shining," the website reads.
The hotel, which first opened in 1909, boasts about it's connection to the famed author and even has a suite called The Stephen King Suite.
READ MORE: How Blade Runner's leading lady Sean Young faded into obscurity
He and his wife and son were the only guests at the hotel during their stay.
In King's own words, according to his official website, he had a terrifying nightmare while staying at the hotel which inspired him to write The Shining.
"That night I dreamed of my three-year-old son running through the corridors, looking back over his shoulder, eyes wide, screaming. He was being chased by a fire-hose," he wrote.
"I woke up with a tremendous jerk, sweating all over, within an inch of falling out of bed."
"I got up, lit a cigarette, sat in the chair looking out the window at the Rockies, and by the time the cigarette was done, I had the bones of the book firmly set in my mind."
According to the BBC, the Stanley Hotel in the Colorado Rockies is haunted - but it hasn't stopped guests from staying there - and in particular, in room 217, where King himself stayed.
The publication reports that in 1917, a female housekeeper survived an incident in the same room, where a lantern exploded and she fell to the storey below. She is said to haunt the hotel.
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
According to the Denver Gazette, the ghost of The Stanley Hotel's founder, F.O. Stanley, often greets guests when they check in.
It's also said that a former pianist at the hotel, Flora Stanley, often plays with the piano keys in one foyer.
Paranormal investigator Richard Estep told the publication: "Places get ghosts for different reasons, such as tragedy or bloodshed, but also people tend to haunt places where they were very happy during their lifetimes."
"I sense we're seeing people coming back because they deeply love this hotel."
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
