http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1392444/Prince-William-Princess-Catherine-world-tour-Royal-couple-stay-hotel-inspired-Stanley-Kubricks-The-Shining.html

William and Kate to stay at haunted hotel that inspired Stanley Kubrick's The Shining

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 9:22 PM on 30th May 2011

Fresh from their £4,000-a-night honeymoon hotel on a secret island in the Seychelles it seems the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have their sights set on an altogether more spooky location for their first Royal tour.

The Royal newlyweds have requested a trip to the hotel that inspired Stanley Kubrick's horror film The Shining when they visit America in July.

Prince William and his new bride have asked aides to change the original itinerary so that they can spend the night at the 84-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, according to The Mirror.

First Royal tour: William and Kate will visit California in July

The hotel in California was the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson.

In the film, which is based on the Stephen King novel by the same name, Nicholson plays a writer who descends into madness and tries to kill his family.

In one famous scene, he smashes a bathroom door down with an axe and yells: 'Heeeeere's Johnny!'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reserved the presidential suite at the five-star hotel, whose previous occupants include US president John F Kennedy. The Queen stayed in a neighbouring suite when she visited Yosemite in 1983.

Kubrick modelled parts of the interior of the film's hotel on the Ahwahnee, including its foyer, lounge and black and red lift doors.  

But King is said to have got his inspiration for his novel while staying at The Stanley Hotel in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

The Stanley celebrates its literary horror heritage with regular ghost tours and shows the uncut R-rated version of Stanley Kubrick’s film on continuous loop on one of the channels on the guest room televisions.

William and Kate will be visiting California from July 8 to 10 after their Canadian tour. It will be the first time that Kate has visited the United States and the first time that William has visited the continent in an official capacity.

They will begin their first week-long official overseas trip as a married couple touring Canada from June 30 to July 8 visiting Ottawa, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, including a trip to the Arctic.

St James's Palace said a detailed itinerary for the California visit would be published at a later date.

Spooky stay: The 84-year-old Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park

Whatever their eventual itinerary, the Royal couple are expected to spend at least one night at a new £7,500-a-night presidential  bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel - known as the ‘Pink Palace’ because of its trademark pink stucco exterior.

The 5,500 sq ft bungalow ‘Number 23’ is still under construction alongside a smaller 5,000 sq ft bungalow ‘Number 24’, which will house the couple’s security staff.

A hotel source said: ‘Everyone has been sworn to secrecy but we are all thrilled that the Royal couple have chosen to stay with us.’

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom bungalow has walnut wood floors and a dining room with seating for ten.

There is a free-standing bath-tub for two, vast walk-in closet and a 65in Bang & Olufsen television.

Outside, the bungalow boasts an outdoor shower and private pool with underwater speakers, a waterfall and Jacuzzi.
 

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