My sister and I checked in to the Stanley Hotel as much for the ghosts as for its spectacular setting just a few miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, its grand hotel details and its reasonable room rates.

You read right. Ghosts.

Frequently cited as one of the country's most haunted hotels, the Stanley in Estes Park, Colo., is the creepy antique inn that inspired author Stephen King to write The Shining, pretty much the scariest hotel-based horror book ever written. This sprawling hotel draws ghost hunters, psychics and, like us, curious guests hoping for a good scare.

We were not disappointed.

Checking in

After a scenic hour-and-a-half drive from Denver International Airport, we arrived early and had no problem checking into our room early. We requested a mini-fridge, which was delivered to our room an hour after we checked in.

Rooms

The Stanley has 138 rooms and suites, ranging in size from cramped to palatial. Many feature breathtaking views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Others have less inspiring views of a neighboring subdivision. Request a room with a mountain view.

Our room, No. 334 ($159 a night), was enormous and boasted views of the Rockies from four windows. There were two double beds, two armchairs, a desk, a TV, a large closet, a dresser and a table. The decor was warm and updated, the sheets clean and crisp. The room also came equipped with a surprising number of doors -- one to the hallway, one to the bathroom, one to the closet and two to adjoining rooms.

Ours was not one of the Stanley's famously haunted rooms. Those would be Room 217 (reportedly occupied by the spirit of a housekeeper), Room 407 (apparently frequented by a perverted English aristocrat) and rooms 401, 418 and 1302 (where generally ghostly things supposedly happen). If you want to stay in a haunted room, book one early. They fill quickly.

Bathroom

While not luxurious, our bathroom was spacious and clean, with new fixtures. And nothing beats a view of snow-covered mountains while you're sitting on the commode.

Kid friendly

Numerous guests arrived toting children, many of whom relished the idea of staying in a haunted hotel -- and taking the hotel's ghost tour.

Room service

Bison burgers, smoked wild-boar pasta and salad topped with seared elk are available from the hotel's game-loving Cascades Restaurant. Options involving more familiar food, like pancakes, are on the menu, too. Room service is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Perks

The Stanley offers daily ghost tours for $10 a person. The tour includes a short but fascinating briefing on the history of the hotel (it was built by F.O. Stanley, the inventor of the Stanley Steamer, among other things), visits to all of the Stanley's spooky places (including the narrow hallways of the fourth floor, supposedly haunted by ghost children) and lots about the hotel's connection to King's The Shining and the ABC TV miniseries version of the book that was filmed there (director Stanley Kubrick's spine-chilling version starring Jack Nicholson was not).

The Parlour is the hotel's excellent spa. Our facials ($85 for a regular facial) were the best we have ever had. .

One more perk -- there's free Internet access at the Steamers Cafe in the basement.

Bottom line

During the summer season, which began May 16, rooms run from $179 to $369 per night for Room 217. Multi-bedroom villas also available. Room tax is 7.7 percent. Handicapped accessible. 800-976-1377; www.stanleyhotel.com.

The article above was found on Google and was published originally on Star-Telegram.com