Amid a maze of hedges that honors The Stanley Hotel’s fictional legacy stands a statue that honors its true legacy.

Here stands the bronze likeness of F.O. Stanley, the man behind a Colorado classic. In 1909, he built a guesthouse that would become the hotel beloved by generations to come.

For such a destination, Stanley knew no better place than Estes Park.

As he struggled with tuberculosis, he knew this valley set against Rocky Mountain National Park to be the antidote. He waxed poetic about the place, as demonstrated by the words on the statue:

“The grandeur of its scenery, its deep blue skies, its clear, cool and invigorating air, its mountain streams of sparkling soft water, its sunny days and delightfully cool nights, are things the summer visitor never forgets, and having enjoyed once, desires to enjoy again.”

And there’s plenty to enjoy in fall and winter as well. The changing foliage, the bugling elk, the towering peaks blanketed in white, the hotel’s cushy sofas and fireplaces, the warmth of whiskey from a bar like no other.

And the snowy months seem fitting for the fictional legacy here. That maze of hedges recalls the climax of “The Shining,” the Stephen King story that was famously inspired by his wintertime stay at The Stanley in 1974.

Offseason marketing is indeed a focus heading into a new era for the hotel. Ground recently broke on a massive addition: Stanley Film Center, to be overseen by a big name in horror, Blumhouse Productions. It’s in the vision of the public-private partnership that acquired the hotel at the start of this summer.

And so The Stanley is evolving again. In the first evolution, a man’s guesthouse became a hotel that financially struggled for decades. Then came the past few decades under John Cullen, who introduced a set of tours, attractions and events on the hilltop property.

“You got to give him credit,” first-year general manager Christian Henny said. “His developing and building out underutilized or unused spaces at the hotel was pretty visionary.”

Cullen very much leaned into the hotel reputation that took off following King’s hit.

“Obviously, the stories with ‘The Shining,'” Henny said. “But we’re much more than that.”

Lodging

Anyone may enter the hotel, but only guests with reservations can ascend to the upper floors.

Down the hall of the second floor is Room 217. It’s the room where King stayed and, story has it, pondered a nightmare during a cigarette break on the balcony. That’s when he conceived “The Shining.” (The balcony is seen from the front entrance, overlooking the maze.) While the second floor is most legendary, the fourth is said to be the most haunted, eliciting “the most frequent guest comments for unexplained phenomena,” according to the hotel.

This main building immerses visitors in The Stanley’s literary and historical acclaim, but it’s not the only overnight option.

The neighboring building is The Lodge, built a year later in 1910 to replicate the hotel at a third of the scale. The rooms here feel similarly historic but are updated for a more intimate, boutique-style stay.

Elsewhere, the rooms at the adjacent Aspire building are more modern and luxurious. The Residences are for families and groups — condos with full kitchens and private hot tubs to take in the view.

Touring

Tours of varying themes run day and night. Most popular, of course, is “The Shining” option. Visitors walk in the steps of the author who arrived here after wintry weather kept him from his destination, Grand Lake, on the other side of the Continental Divide.

Other real, intriguing tales — including of F.O. Stanley’s rags-to-riches rise — are told during the historical day tour. The tour explores the otherwise off-limits billiards room (where F.O. Stanley and pals played) and an also otherwise closed tunnel (where the help moved unseen). The basement of the concert hall is one stop on the evening tour. It’s a creepy, fitting start to the paranormal exploration.

For another trip to the property’s shadowy underbelly, buy a ticket to Aiden Sinclair’s Underground. Sinclair is the resident magician putting on shows beneath the old carriage house.

Then there’s the resident frozen dead guy. That’s Bredo Morstol, preserved in a tank that is the centerpiece of the International Cryogenics Museum, found in the old icehouse.

The chilling tomb and museum is a newer tour at The Stanley. Morstol accompanied the annual Frozen Dead Guy Days’ move from Nederland to Estes Park in 2023. As part of the weekend festival, the concert hall has hosted the Royal Blue Ball. It’s among several parties and performances scheduled throughout the year.

Dining

The tours start on the hotel’s lower level, where at the end of the hall is a hidden room of more “spirits.” This is The Vault, where ticket-buying guests sip Stanley-exclusive whiskeys.

More whiskey is upstairs — lots of it. Cascades Restaurant boasts one of the state’s biggest whiskey collections, along with a menu of steaks and Colorado game. You can’t go wrong with a cocktail and appetizer out on the waterfall-adorned patio.

Or maybe you prefer wine. The modern, airy 217 Wine Bar is the spot for that, along with charcuterie. The bar is off the hotel’s lobby in the old music room with wide, arching windows and a deck facing the mountains.

On the more casual side, The Post has moved into the historic carriage house — the familiar name on the Front Range specializing in fried chicken.

Another familiar name is found at the hotel: Colorado Cherry Co. The longtime, family-owned business occupies the space for coffee while also selling signature sweet and savory handheld pies for breakfast and lunch.

Another breakfast option: Brunch & Co. The restaurant at The Lodge serves classics (eggs benedict, breakfast burritos) and surprises (cinnamon French toast bites, a giant biscuit with sausage gravy).