The most famous is probably the inspiration it gave to Stephen King for 'The Shining'. He stayed there and was inspired by the hotel's spooky atmosphere, which led to the creation of that iconic horror novel. The hotel's long, empty corridors and old - fashioned charm with a hint of something sinister were perfect for his story.
The most famous one is probably the sightings of the lady in white. Many tourists have shared their experiences of seeing this spectral figure. It has become a well - known part of the hotel's horror lore.
There are reports of guests seeing a man in a tuxedo who vanishes into thin air. He is often seen near the ballroom area. It's thought that he might be a former guest from the hotel's early days who met an untimely end and is now doomed to roam the halls. This has been a story passed down among many who have visited the Stanley Hotel over the years.
The haunting of room 217 is very well - known. A maid who used to work there is believed to haunt it. Guests often report unusual occurrences in that room.
Another famous story is that of a couple who once stayed at the hotel. They reported seeing strange shadows moving on the walls of their room at night. These shadows seemed to take the form of people from a different era. It is thought that these could be the spirits of former guests or staff, still lingering in the rooms they once occupied.
Another well - known tale is about a gambler who was killed in the hotel during a card game gone wrong. His spirit is said to haunt the old gambling rooms. Some visitors have claimed to see cards mysteriously moving on the tables as if a game was still in progress.
I've heard that there are some stories about employees who have had odd experiences. For instance, an employee was cleaning a room late at night and heard a child crying from the hallway. But when they went to check, there was no one there. Another story could be about the elevators. Sometimes they seem to stop on floors by themselves, as if something was calling for them. These types of stories add to the reputation of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel as a place with some mysterious and perhaps even horror - like occurrences.
Perhaps there is a story about a lost love. A couple who were separated in tragic circumstances, and now their spirits are said to be reunited in the hotel. Some guests have reported feeling a strange sense of melancholy in certain areas, as if the emotions of the lost lovers still permeate the air. This could be due to the old - fashioned charm of the Lord Elgin Hotel which seems to hold onto the past, including these ghostly tales.
The Hotel Cecil has a long history of dark events. There have been multiple murders over the years. Some people claim to have experienced paranormal activities like strange noises, cold spots, and feelings of being watched. It's said that the hotel's past tragedies have left some sort of negative energy, which may be the cause of these alleged hauntings.
There are also tales of a female ghost, possibly a former guest. She is often described as wearing a Victorian - style dress. Some guests claim to have felt a cold presence in certain rooms, which they believe is her. It's thought that she might have had an emotional connection to the hotel during her life and has remained there in spirit. The hotel's long history and beautiful, yet somewhat old - fashioned architecture might contribute to these spooky tales.
Another well - known story is about the lady in white. She is often seen on the balcony of the hotel. Some say she was a former guest who had a tragic end. Her apparition is a very eerie sight, especially when you look up and see her standing there, seemingly lost in another time. This story has been passed around for years and attracts a lot of attention from those interested in the hotel's spooky side.