“The Shining” Hotel Makes AAA’s Must-Stay List

Looking for just the right place for a haunted honeymoon, or ghoulish get-away?

One of the places the American Automobile Association recommends is the hotel that inspired author Stephen King to write “The Shining,” which became a bestseller, and a big box office hit — although it did win Shelly Duvall a worst-actress Razzie award that year.

It’s on the Auto Club’s list of America’s favorite haunted hideaways, which also includes restaurants, theaters and other popular haunts across the country.

But back to that haunted Colorado location that inspired The Shining…

King wrote the book after staying at the nearly empty Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, just before it closed for the winter season.

According to AAA, past hotel guests have reported hearing piano music and party sounds from the empty ballroom, and running kids in the empty hallways.