Friday, October 31, 2025

Question: What room in the Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King to write The Shining?

Answer: Stephen King credits his brief stay in room 217 at the Stanley Hotel with inspiring the famous 1977 novel. According to the hotel, now famous for its link to the book, guests in the room have reported everything from unusual shadows to ghosts unpacking luggage.

In his 1980 film adaptation of the novel, Stanley Kubrick changed the number to 237 at the request of the Timberline Lodge. The hotel, which was used to film exterior shots, was concerned guests who saw the film would be afraid to stay in the featured room.