Blogging & Storytelling

The tale of how “the Shining” came to be, is different based on when/where you hear the story, it is even told differently in different interviews given by the famous author.  I took the time to read Many versions before blending what I learned into a potential that contains facts from each…..

IN 1995 the buildings and grounds were purchased by the current owners : The Grand Heritage hotel Group and with their written letter of intent of their plans for it's future, earned historical significance status and The Stanley was declared a National Landmark.

Today, Many guests are disappointed to find out that all the scenes and views of Kubric's 1980 epic had been recreated on Hollywood sound stages, and that not ONE scene was actually filmed on site.   Mr. King felt so strongly that the Stanley hotel deserved it’s place in the story as the main character that he rounded up financiers and created a mini-series which filmed in part on-site in 96-97 to include some of the actual places that gave birth to his story, while at the same time filling many of the story gaps left by Kubrick’s epic.  According to my tour guide the mini-series was only aired ONCE and is not in active release.  These days, it can be seen in the hotel by asking a member of the tour staff for the code, but at the time of this writing, only those in the know can see it without purchasing a copy of the DVD from an online retailer.

As the novel, and it’s two screen versions continue to draw in more guests, Mr. King’s fans have bullied the hotel and it’s ownership to alter the landscaping to add a small hedge maze, and the tour guides now mention the small pet cemetery at the edge of the grounds by the Wedding Pavilion.

Although I did not participate in the comedy event the weekend of my visit, or attend the residing magician or regularly held seances, my time was full.  I spent my 2 nights and three days taking in all the tours while dressed fully in period 20’s attire, taking photos with the memorabilia and the remaining on site locations of the screen version, as well as wandering and enjoying beauty of the 1909 GRAND experience.   More than once, coming around an antique hall or stairwell to surprise guests by pretending to be a remaining spirit of the hotel.

My time in 217 was well worth the higher rate, and included many opportunities to elicit surprises and starts from the guests that stopped outside it’s door during tours.  The room itself was typical for it’s history…   all the amenities and plush that you would expect in a hotel that was built for the rich and powerful to relax and vacation, a bit more furniture than your modern counterpart but no Ikea here….all was “fine” and photo ready.

A little disappointed that the windows to the balcony were painted shut - but I would assume that safety of prior guests making bad decisions was at fault.

There is no way to prove whether it was the atmosphere of the hotel, the ghost stories during the tours, or if it truly was "the gentleman” tickling my neck with his whiskers in my dreams. During night two My husband and I were woken by the voices of two little girls happily chatting - and frequently giggling.   He thought they were other guests out in the hall, but to me they sounded like they were under our open 2nd floor window,  but at 3:30 in the am, neither one of us wanted to destroy our illusions, by getting out of bed to confirm what was actually the reality … to find out if either us might be right - or if we were both very wrong.

There are a few surprises for you that I will not speak of, keeping them as a private memory for those of us who found them to share between ourselves.   

Comments from various tour guides :