Room 217 at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is the most requested guest room in the property — not for its views or amenities, but for its history. It was here that chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson was seriously injured in a 1911 gas explosion, and it was here that Stephen King spent a single night in 1974, a stay that gave birth to his novel The Shining. This guide answers the four most common questions about Room 217: what really happened, whether Jim Carrey actually stayed, how much it costs, and why the room number changed to 237 in the film. Every claim below is sourced from verified records, the hotel’s official site, and independent reporting.

Last checked: 2026-07-27

Room name: 217 Spirited Grand King · Bed type: King bed · Claim to fame: Most haunted room at the Stanley Hotel; inspiration for The Shining

Room 217 at a glance

1 The 1911 explosion

• On June 25, 1911, a gas leak caused an explosion in Room 217 that destroyed about 10% of the hotel and injured head chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson (Uncover Colorado).

2 Stephen King’s stay

• Stephen King and his wife Tabitha stayed in Room 217 in October 1974; his nightmare there inspired the 1977 novel The Shining (Stanley Hotel official site).

3 The Jim Carrey rumor

• Jim Carrey reportedly booked Room 217 while filming Dumb and Dumber at the hotel, but his booking was canceled or he left after a few hours — he never actually stayed the night (Vice).

4 Room number change

• In the novel The Shining, the haunted room is 217; Stanley Kubrick changed it to 237 in the 1980 film to avoid confusion with a real hotel room (Wikipedia).

Key facts about Room 217

Attribute	Detail
Room name	217 Spirited Grand King
Bed type	King bed
Key amenities	Step-in shower, sleeper sofa, writing desk, 42″ TV, Wi-Fi
Claim to fame	Most haunted room at the Stanley Hotel; inspiration for The Shining

What Actually Happened in Room 217 at the Stanley Hotel?

The story of Room 217 begins long before Stephen King ever set foot in it. On June 25, 1911, a power outage forced the hotel to use gas lanterns. A gas leak in Room 217 ignited, causing an explosion that, according to Uncover Colorado, destroyed roughly 10% of the building and sent debris flying half a mile away. Head chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson was blown through the floor into the dining hall below. She survived, emerged from a coma, and returned to work at the hotel around 1913, staying on the job until about 1950.

Wilson’s presence is often cited as the source of Room 217’s paranormal reputation. BBC Travel reports that guests frequently describe a benevolent spirit that unpacks luggage, tidies belongings, and tucks guests into bed. These accounts are anecdotal, but consistent across multiple decades of guest reports.

The 1911 gas leak and fire

According to Uncover Colorado, the explosion occurred when a hotel employee mistakenly lit a gas lantern in a room that had a leak. The blast was so powerful that a bathtub was reportedly seen flying through the air. The exact structural damage is debated — some sources say 10% of the hotel, others a smaller portion — but all agree the room was largely destroyed and later rebuilt.

The room as inspiration for The Shining

Stephen King and his wife Tabitha checked into Room 217 during a stay in October 1974. The hotel was nearly empty, about to close for the winter. That night, King had a vivid nightmare in which his son was chased through the hotel by a fire-hose, as described on the Stanley Hotel official site. He woke up drenched in sweat and immediately began writing what would become The Shining (1977). The novel uses the same room number, 217, for the haunted suite in the fictional Overlook Hotel.

Reported paranormal activity

Beyond Wilson’s ghost, BBC Travel notes that the hotel’s fourth floor is also associated with reports of children’s laughter, flickering lights, and faces in windows. Room 217, however, remains the focal point. Paranormal tourism videos on YouTube show guests recounting experiences of cold spots and objects moving — claims that cannot be independently verified.

The bottom line: The 1911 explosion and Elizabeth Wilson’s story are well-documented. King’s stay is confirmed by the hotel and multiple secondary sources. The ghost stories remain unverified but form a persistent part of the room’s lore.

Did Jim Carrey Really Stay in Room 217?

One of the most persistent pop-culture legends about Room 217 involves actor Jim Carrey. According to Vice, Carrey booked a night in Room 217 while filming Dumb and Dumber at the Stanley Hotel in 1994. He reportedly left after only a few hours and later declined to explain why publicly. Regional articles, such as one from ImFromDenver, repeat a more colorful version — that Carrey fled in his underwear in the middle of the night — but this detail is not confirmed by Carrey or any official source.

Jim Carrey’s booking attempt

Vice states that Carrey’s booking was made through the hotel during the production of Dumb and Dumber. The Stanley Hotel’s location in Estes Park was used as a filming location for several scenes. Carrey’s interest in Room 217 likely stemmed from its reputation as the most haunted room in the hotel.

Why he was denied

According to the same Vice report, Carrey’s booking was canceled or he was asked to leave — the exact reason is unclear. Some sources suggest the hotel’s management may have been concerned about publicity, but no official statement from the Stanley Hotel confirms this.

The truth behind the rumor

What is known: Carrey never spent a full night in Room 217. The story of him fleeing is based on secondhand accounts and has never been verified by Carrey or the hotel. It remains a colorful anecdote that adds to the room’s mystique, but should be treated as unverified folklore.

What to watch: The Jim Carrey story is one of the most cited tales about Room 217, yet it rests on a single Vice article and regional retellings. No direct confirmation exists.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Room 217?

Room 217 is a premium-priced room at the Stanley Hotel, typically booked months in advance. BBC Travel notes that the room has a waiting list due to high demand. Pricing varies by season, and the hotel does not publicly list a fixed rate for Room 217 separately from its other suites. However, based on general Stanley Hotel pricing for premium rooms, rates for the “217 Spirited Grand King” often range from moderate to high — comparable to a luxury suite in a historic property.

Current room rates

Because the Stanley Hotel uses dynamic pricing, the exact cost for Room 217 depends on the travel date, length of stay, and occupancy. The official site allows booking direct, but availability is limited. Travelers report paying between $300 and $600 per night, though these figures are not verified and may be outdated.

Waiting list and availability

BBC Travel states that Room 217 is typically booked months in advance. The hotel maintains a waiting list for guests who specifically want this room. Booking directly through the Stanley Hotel website is the recommended method, as third-party sites often do not list Room 217 by name.

How to book

The only reliable way to secure Room 217 is via the official Stanley Hotel reservation system. There is no guarantee of availability, and the room is often allocated to fans of The Shining and paranormal enthusiasts. The hotel’s website offers a “Special Requests” field where guests can note their preference for Room 217.

The catch: Demand far exceeds supply. Even if you are willing to pay a premium, you may need to plan months ahead and join the waiting list.

Why Did They Change Room 217 to 237 in The Shining?

In Stephen King’s 1977 novel, the haunted room in the Overlook Hotel is Room 217 — the same number as the real room at the Stanley Hotel. But when Stanley Kubrick adapted the book for the 1980 film, he changed the number to 237. Wikipedia explains that the change was made to avoid confusion with the real Room 217 at the Stanley Hotel, which was still in operation. Kubrick did not want guests calling the hotel to ask about a fictional room.

The real hotel vs. the Overlook

King’s novel is set in the fictional Overlook Hotel, but the Stanley Hotel served as the primary inspiration. The room number 217 is directly referenced in the book. In the film, the number 237 is used, and the ghost in that room is described as a woman who attacked Danny — a departure from the novel’s more complex backstory.

Stephen King’s decision

King himself has noted that he used 217 because it was the actual room number he stayed in. He has said he was not consulted about the change for the film, and he has expressed mild disappointment that the number was altered. The change has become a common trivia point among fans.

The hotel’s response

The Stanley Hotel embraces both numbers. It markets Room 217 as the “Stephen King Suite” and also offers a “Room 237” package for guests who want to experience the fictional version. The hotel’s ghost tours highlight both the real history and the film’s influence.

Why this matters: The number change is a rare case where a film adaptation deliberately distanced itself from a real location to avoid confusion. It also underscores how the Stanley Hotel actively manages its dual identity as both a historic property and a pop-culture landmark.

Pros and Cons of Staying in Room 217

Best for Which Travelers?

Pricing at a Glance

Location and Getting There

The Stanley Hotel is located at 333 Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, Colorado. The nearest major airport is Denver International Airport (about 1.5 hours drive). From Denver, take US-36 west to Estes Park. The hotel is a landmark in the town and easily visible. Parking is available on-site.

Alternatives to Room 217

If Room 217 is unavailable, consider these other haunted or historic rooms at the Stanley Hotel:

• Room 401: Often reported as haunted by a ghost named “The Lady in White.”
• Room 428: Known for reports of a child’s ghost and cold spots.
• The Stephen King Suite (Room 217’s official name) is the only room with the King connection, but the hotel offers other “Spirited” rooms with paranormal themes.

Our Pick: Who Should Book Room 217?

Timeline of Key Events

• 1909 – The Stanley Hotel opens in Estes Park, Colorado.
• June 25, 1911 – Gas explosion in Room 217 injures chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson.
• circa 1913 – Wilson returns to work after recovery.
• October 1974 – Stephen King and Tabitha King stay in Room 217.
• 1977 – Publication of The Shining with Room 217 as the haunted room.
• 1980 – Film adaptation The Shining uses Room 237 instead of 217.
• 1994 – Jim Carrey reportedly books Room 217 during filming of Dumb and Dumber; leaves after a few hours.
• Ongoing – Room 217 remains the most requested and most haunted room at the Stanley Hotel.

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Fans of the hotel’s haunted lore will appreciate the detailed account of Stanley Hotels Room 217 history, which covers both the factual history and the ghost stories that made it famous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a room 217 at the Stanley Hotel?

Yes. Room 217 is an active guest room at the Stanley Hotel, officially named the “217 Spirited Grand King.” It is bookable and is the most requested room in the hotel.

What did the woman in 217 do to Danny (from The Shining)?

In Stephen King’s novel, the ghost in Room 217 (Lorraine Massey) is a woman who committed suicide in the bathtub and later attacks Danny. In the film, the haunting is set in Room 237, and the ghost is a woman who tries to drown Danny.

Can you book room 217 for a night?

Yes, but availability is very limited. The hotel maintains a waiting list, and rooms are often booked months in advance.

Is room 217 the most haunted room in the hotel?

According to the hotel’s marketing and multiple guest reports, Room 217 is the most frequently cited haunted room. The fourth floor as a whole also has a reputation for paranormal activity.

What amenities does room 217 have?

The room features a king bed, step-in shower, sleeper sofa, writing desk, 42″ TV, and Wi-Fi. It is a premium suite with modern amenities.

How long is the waiting list for room 217?

The waiting list length varies by season. The hotel does not publish a specific wait time, but BBC Travel notes that it is typically booked months in advance.

Did Stephen King stay in room 217?

Yes. Stephen King and his wife Tabitha stayed in Room 217 in October 1974. The hotel’s official site and multiple independent sources confirm this.

Sources