15 Abandoned Resorts That Are Not The Best Spots For Lounging

Chacaltaya Ski Resort

La Paz, Bolivia

This was the only ski resort in Bolivia, and also had the distinction of being the highest in the world, with the highest restaurant. Opening in the late 1930’s, this was a popular place, and was actually higher than the North Base Camp of Mount Everest.

Then the glacier melted in 2009. The skiers stopped coming and the resort was shut down and abandoned, save for the restaurant which still operates sporadically for tourists willing to hike up.

Ghost Palace Hotel

Baturiti, Indonesia

Formally known as the PI Bedugul Taman Rekreasi Hotel and Resort, this place was built in the 1990s and was fully furnished, but never opened.

The truth behind the ghost palace is spotty. Some say the place is cursed and the entire staff disappeared on the eve of the grand opening, only to haunt it as spectres now. Others say that it was an investment gone bad.

In either case, it’s spooky stuff.

Maya Hotel

Kobe, Japan

This Art Deco Hotel was built in 1929, and was a prime example of Japan’s pre-WWII love of Western architecture. But during the war, it was converted to an anti-aircraft station, with guns on the roof to defend Kobe. Hence, the hotel was damaged in the raids.

It was sold after the war to a private owner, who repaired and reopened in 1961. Six years later, a mudslide and typhoon damaged the building.

They tried again in 1974, but it was impacted by the Great Awaji Earthquake in 1995, and sealed up for good.

Haludovo Palace Hotel

Malinska, Croatia

This hotel/resort resembles a crumbling 1970’s SciFi movie set. When it was built in 1971, it was a high-end destination and one of the most luxurious spas in the former Yugoslavia. It even counted Penthouse founder Bob Guccione as an investor and offered the Penthouse Adriatic Club Casino in the 70’s.

When war broke out in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and Croatia fought for it’s independence, the area became less tourist friendly and the hotel was abandoned and left to decay.

Hotel Monte Palace

São Miguel

This abandoned hotel sits at the top of a mountain in the Azóres, and only operated for a year (1989-1990) before shutting down completely.

It was built in the 1980s as a tourist draw, with multiple floors, an interior courtyard and overlooking a lake. It had everything you’d ever want in a hotel, except a convenient location. No one came.

Now, it looks like the Portuguese version of the Shining’s Overlook Hotel.

Abandoned Hotels of Kupari

Kupari, Croatia

You might not know it, because it doesn’t get a lot of press, but the former Yugoslavia was a huge tourist draw from the 50’s to the 70’s. In the 1960’s, these 5 hotels were built to cater to both tourists and Yugoslav officers and their families.

But, during the 1990s and the War, the Yugoslav army looted and burned the hotels to the ground. Now, only shells remain of these once lavish hotels.

King View Resort

Sa Khu, Thailand

This was meant to be a 5-star beachfront resort, but the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2003 derailed those plans. The entire region had to evacuate, and when the waters and debris cleared, no one wanted to take the responsibility for repairs.

So, it was left abandoned and open to the elements.

Varosha Beach Resort

Famagusta, Cyprus

In the 70’s, there was a conflict over this island, between the Greeks and the Turks. Prior to that, however, this was a busy resort town, with celebrities and high-rollers coming from all over.

When Turkey invaded in 1974, everybody fled, leaving their food on the table and their cars in the garage. Now in control, the Turkish government fenced off the tourist centre of Varosha, and it remains that way to this date.

It literally looks like what a world would look like, if human inhabitants just blipped out if existence.

Penn Hills Resort

East Stroudsburg, PA

This was supposed to be the ultimate resort for newlyweds, with two in-ground pools shaped like wedding bells, couples cottages/suites with heart-shaped jacuzzis and mirrors. Now, it’s appropriate for a horror movie.

Abandoned since 2009, this is a resort that mixes urban decay and retro-futuristic decor and graffiti.

Abandoned Soviet Sanatoriums of Tskaltubo

Tskaltubo, Georgia

This was once a luxurious soviet spa town and the flagship of resorts, with therapeutic mineral springs and radon water therapy. Originally built in the 1920’s, there were 19 sanatoriums (for restoring sanity) and 9 bathhouses. At it’s peak, it received 4 trains/day from Moscow, full of visitors on state-sponsored health retreats. Even Joseph Stalin had his own bathhouse.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, the sanitariums were abandoned and left to decay and crumble.

Little Pioneers Youth Camp

North Macedonia

During Yugoslavia’s Communist era from 1945-1992, the country relied on various forms of self-governance in the various towns and states. In Macedonia, they decided to build a youth and summer camp resort to help indoctrinate the youth to the cause. Kids were allowed too stay for free at this resort, and had over 4 square miles to roam.

When war broke out in 1990, the camp was abandoned and has been left to nature.

El Ponce

Ponce, Puerto Rico

Built over 40 years ago, this used to be the Intercontinental Hotel of Ponce, simply known as “El Ponce.” In the 60’s, this was the first modern hotel in the city, built in a futuristic style on the top of a hill.

The hotel was thriving for over 15 years, until it just closed, with no reason given. Some say high labour costs or an inaccessible location, but in reality, the hotel wasn’t hurting for tourism.

Old Diplomat Hotel

Baguio, Philippines

This hotel was originally built as a retreat house for Dominican Friars in 1913. By WWII it was a refugee camp, then a Japanese prison that saw countless acts of brutality.

By the 1970’s, it was renovated and turned into the Diplomat Hotel, but was only in operation until the 80’s on account of it being the most haunted place in the country.

Ghosts of POWs and headless nuns’ll do that.

Hotel Edén

La Falda, Argentina

This hotel, built in 1897 by a German hotelier, turned the whole area into a tourist draw and saw countless famous faces walk up its marble stairs.

Sadly, the designer and owners had ties to the Nazi party, and in the years leading up to WWII, it was a popular retreat destination for high ranking officers. When Germany declared war against Argentina in 1945, the government took control of the hotel. Regretfully, the hotel didn’t survive the outcome of the war and was left to deteriorate.

Grand Hotel Campo Dei Friori

Varese, Italy

Looking like a mix of the Grand Budapest Hotel and the Overlook Hotel, is this abandoned place in the Alps. This luxury resort was built in 1910, and required a steep ride up a metal funicular railroad. But it was worth it for the view and Art Nouveau architecture.

The hotel thrived through the first and second world wars, but after that, tourism declined. It finally closed in 1968. Since then, there have been attempts to reopen it, but so far only the caretakers live up there. The previous owners have had to sell the real estate on the roof to large antenna to afford the upkeep, but it’s not enough.