Stanley Hotel
Estes Park, Colorado
Lovers of the paranormal will enjoy a trip to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The hotel has become famous for being the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s 1977 novel “The Shining.” For many years, the hotel has embraced the paranormal and the role it plays as a part of its past.
“A lot of people love the history and love the Stephen King component,” said hotel spokesman Reed Rowley, “but it’s more about our history and the Stanley family.” The hotel hosts two tours where you can explore the haunted history of the hotel as well as the architecture and notable spots throughout the property. An interesting experience on the tours is seeing the rare Stanley steam cars; the hotel’s original owner, Freelan Oscar Stanley, also co-founded the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, which manufactured Stanley Steamers.
The other component of the hotel’s ambiance is its connection to the Stanley family history. F.O. Stanley and his wife, Flora, came to Colorado seeking a respite for F.O.’s health but chose to make the most of rural life by creating a resort worthy of East Coast elite. The Stanleys subsequently played a big role in developing the Estes Park area and in the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Aspire Residences, 40 additional rooms in a separate building from the original hotel, brings this part of the family’s history to the modern era. The rooms feature panoramic views of the surrounding national park and Lake Estes. There are now about a dozen buildings that make up the Stanley hotel property, including the Marys Lake Lodge and the Pavilion, an amphitheater and event space.
Kimpton Hotel Vintage
Portland, Oregon
The Kimpton Hotel Vintage embraces the wine culture and personality of its city, Portland, Oregon. The hotel incorporates the wines of Oregon’s Willamette Valley throughout the different spaces, along with the quirky style found in the Portland area.
There are 117 guest rooms at the Vintage hotel, and each is named for one of 117 wineries from the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s center of viticulture. The winery helps to create the look and feel of the room by supplying photography or art from its vineyard. They also supply two bottles of wine, which are made available to the guest staying in the namesake room.
Wines from all 117 wineries are available from the Bacchus Bar wine list, which is “unmatched in the city.” The Portland vibe has been incorporated here with a tattooed mural of Bacchus on the backlit glass wall and graffiti-style art in the game room. There is also a nightly wine hour where guests can sample the different wines from the region. Weekends bring live music to the wine hour, and guest speakers from the featured wineries occasionally give talks on their wines.
Orlando’s Themed Resorts
Orlando, Florida
Travelers heading to Orlando’s theme parks will enjoy the perks and interesting surroundings that come with staying at one of the many themed resorts. Shuttle service to and from the parks is a great time-saver and comfort after a long day, and affords the option to have your purchases brought back to your room instead of lugging bags around the parks. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort are great when seeking the most bang for your buck.
Universal Studios Resorts has also been expanding its properties and has opened the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, a Caribbean-inspired hotel, this past summer. With floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the waterfalls and a sand beach, this resort embodies the laid-back relaxation of a Caribbean vacation. A sixth resort, the Universal Aventura Hotel, is now under construction and is set to open in summer 2018. The new modern-style hotel will feature a rooftop bar — a first among the Universal Resorts — that will have dramatic views of the new Volcano Bay Water Park and Krakatau’s nightly volcano effects.
