Stanley Hotel restaurant gets 3rd 'inadequate' health inspection

The Stanley Hotel restaurant has struggled to meet health code standards, earning yet another "inadequate" rating from Larimer County health inspectors last week.

UPDATE:Stanley Hotel restaurant improves in follow-up inspection

Inspectors have visited the historic Estes Park hotel nine times since last July, citing 67 total violations in the Stanley's main restaurant, Cascades, during that span. More than 40 of those were deemed critical violations, which pose the biggest threat to consumers and require immediate corrective action.

The restaurant had its latest routine surprise inspection on Friday, with 17 total violations cited that led to the establishment's third "inadequate" review in the past calendar year. Inadequate is the lowest of five possible one-word ratings given.

"Stanley Hotel places the highest priority on health and safety," said Stanley Hotel spokesperson Reed Rowley in an emailed statement. "Immediate corrections have been made to address all outstanding items."

More inspections:Coffee roaster tops the FoCo charts

Rowley said the 333 E. Wonderview Ave. hotel has initiated a third-party health and safety evaluation of its practices. Jim Devore, who oversees Larimer County's inspections, said a follow-up health inspection will happen this week.

During inspections, restaurants are docked one to 20 points per violation, depending on the severity. An inadequate rating comes when a restaurant has 100 or more points marked in a review.

On Friday's inspection, Stanley Hotel was docked 163 points — including five 20-point deductions. Other entities on the Stanley Hotel property fared better: Steamer's Cafe was rated good and the adjacent Stanley Manor House was rated fair.

The inadequate designation was issued during only 2 percent of the nearly 4,000 combined surprise inspections performed in 2016 in Larimer and Weld counties. Since last July, Loveland's Thai Thai'm, 1360 E. Eisenhower Blvd., is the only other establishment with more than one inadequate rating.

Among recurring critical issues for The Stanley Hotel are failure to stock soap and towels at hand-washing sinks, employees eating and drinking in the kitchen, storing raw meats near cooked foods and employees making bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. The kitchen has also struggled to maintain proper food temperatures during multiple reviews, which is among the more common violations at restaurants.

Tourist season:State mandates stall on $330M tourism plan

All critical violations are followed up by Larimer County until they are corrected.

Inspectors previously told the Coloradoan a kitchen deemed inadequate is a safe place to eat. Larimer County has the power to shut down a restaurant if there is an immediate health hazard. 

Devore said there had been no reported complaints of foodborne illness from Stanley Hotel customers as of Tuesday evening.

The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909, built by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley — known for creating the Stanley Steamer automobiles.

The 140-room hotel gained pop culture status when it was the inspiration for Stephen King's 1977 bestselling book "The Shining." 

The Stanley Hotel houses the main Cascades restaurant, a whiskey bar, a cafe and a weekend pop-up restaurant series featuring rotating area chefs.

Follow Jacob Laxen on Twitter and Instagram @jacoblaxen.

Estes:Rocky Mountain National Park considers entrance station makeover

Stanley Hotel recent inspections

Date and total violations

*July 14, 2017: 17

*March 17, 2017: 5

Jan. 19, 2017: 0

Dec. 8, 2016: 2

*Nov. 28, 2016: 10

Aug. 11, 2016: 1

Aug. 4, 2016: 5

July 29, 2016: 4

*July 18, 2016: 23

*Indicates a surprise inspection

Information provided by Larimer County Department of Health