Once glamorous retreats, these former luxury hotels now lie in ruins, a haunting reminder of their opulent past. Each site tells a unique story, from wild natural retreats to grand resorts in bustling cities. These abandoned hotels, once sought after by elite guests, have succumbed to time and neglect. Some fell to political turmoil, others to changing travel trends, but each stands today as a fascinating relic of a bygone era. Here’s a look at seventeen of these forgotten marvels around the world.
Old Diplomat Hotel – Baguio, Philippines
Once a grand hotel set on a hill overlooking Baguio, the Old Diplomat Hotel is now a crumbling shell filled with ghost stories and urban legends. Built in the 1900s as a vacation house for Dominican friars, it later served as a hotel until its closure in the 1980s. The building has survived war, fires, and earthquakes, leaving behind eerie remnants of its former grandeur. The structure’s walls are still intact, though the interiors have decayed. Many visitors come seeking ghost sightings, adding to its haunting reputation. Today, it’s a local tourist spot, known more for its mysteries than luxury.
Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori – Varese, Italy
Perched high above Lake Varese, this stunning hotel was once the epitome of Art Nouveau luxury. Built in the early 20th century, the Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori offered panoramic views, intricate design details, and opulent interiors. Its prime location made it a favorite among aristocrats and elites. However, it closed in the 1960s and has since fallen into disrepair. With its faded frescoes and broken windows, the hotel now feels like a beautifully eerie museum of past elegance. Many architecture enthusiasts still visit to admire its surviving beauty despite its ruined state.
Hotel Edén – La Falda, Argentina
Nestled in the hills of Córdoba, Argentina, Hotel Edén was once a luxurious escape for the rich and famous. Opened in the late 19th century, it attracted prominent guests, including Albert Einstein and Che Guevara. The hotel was known for its lavish décor, sprawling grounds, and fine dining. However, political changes and financial difficulties forced its closure, leaving it abandoned. Today, its empty halls and grand staircases are a shadow of its golden past. Visitors can explore the ruins, imagining the vibrant scenes that once filled this historic hotel.
Ducor Hotel – Monrovia, Liberia
Once a symbol of Monrovia’s golden age, the Ducor Hotel was Liberia’s premier luxury destination. Opened in 1960, it catered to diplomats, celebrities, and business elites. With its striking modernist design and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it was a high-society hub. Civil wars in the 1990s, however, led to its downfall and eventual closure. The hotel’s decaying rooms and corridors now stand as haunting reminders of the country’s turbulent history. It’s now considered an iconic ruin, with many Liberians hoping for its restoration.
Haludovo Palace Hotel – Krk Island, Croatia
A glitzy resort on Croatia’s Krk Island, Haludovo Palace was built in the 1970s with funding from a Las Vegas casino mogul. Known for its over-the-top luxury, including lavish pools, casinos, and beach clubs, it attracted tourists and elites alike. Political changes and economic troubles in the region led to its abrupt closure just a few years later. Now, the once-bustling resort lies abandoned, with broken tiles and empty swimming pools as reminders of its brief, flashy history. Despite its decay, it remains a notable relic from Croatia’s past.
Ariau Towers – Manaus, Brazil
Once a jungle paradise, Ariau Towers offered an eco-luxury experience deep in the Amazon rainforest. Built in the 1980s, the hotel had treehouse-style rooms connected by canopy walkways, attracting adventurous travelers from around the world. The unique setup allowed guests to live among the treetops, offering rare views of wildlife. However, high maintenance costs and declining tourism eventually led to its abandonment. Today, the towers are overtaken by nature, with vines and trees wrapping around its wooden structures. It’s a hauntingly beautiful sight in the heart of the Amazon.
Monte Palace Hotel – São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Once an iconic luxury hotel on São Miguel Island, the Monte Palace Hotel boasted views of the Sete Cidades crater lakes. Opened in the 1980s, it promised an exclusive, five-star experience with amenities suited to elite travelers. However, the remote location and financial troubles led to its closure just a few years later. Now, the building is abandoned, with graffiti covering its walls and nature reclaiming its grounds. Despite its decay, it still draws visitors who come for the views and eerie atmosphere.
Sheraton Resort Rarotonga – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
The Sheraton Resort in Rarotonga was meant to be a lavish destination in the Cook Islands, designed to attract high-end tourists. Construction began in the 1980s but was halted due to a series of financial scandals. The building was never completed, leaving an empty shell of what was supposed to be a tropical paradise. Its incomplete pools, hollow buildings, and overgrown grounds are a stark contrast to the island’s beauty. Today, it stands as a strange and desolate landmark, embodying unfulfilled dreams of grandeur.
Nevele Grand Hotel – Ellenville, New York, USA
The Nevele Grand Hotel was once a luxurious Catskills destination for weekend getaways and glamorous parties. Founded in the early 1900s, it flourished with amenities such as ski slopes, golf courses, and an ice rink. Its popularity dwindled with changing vacation trends, and by 2009, it closed for good. Today, the hotel’s structures are collapsing, with broken windows and vandalized walls. Remnants of its famous towers and pools lie in ruin, echoing memories of past elegance. Plans for redevelopment have emerged, but the hotel remains abandoned.
Aspotogan Sea Spa – Nova Scotia, Canada
Located on Nova Scotia’s Aspotogan Peninsula, the Aspotogan Sea Spa was planned as an oceanfront luxury resort. Construction began in the early 1990s, but the project was abruptly abandoned mid-construction due to financial troubles. The skeletal structure stands empty, with concrete walls and pillars exposed to the elements. Its open, unfinished design and coastal views make it both eerie and picturesque. Despite never hosting guests, it has attracted explorers and filmmakers intrigued by its striking, incomplete state. This grand vision remains a haunting curiosity on Nova Scotia’s coast.
Grand Hotel – Beira, Mozambique
Known as the “Pride of Beira,” the Grand Hotel was once Mozambique’s largest luxury hotel. Built in the 1950s, it offered a lavish lifestyle with grand rooms, ballrooms, and pools. Political instability and economic hardship led to its closure just a decade later. Today, the crumbling structure has become home to hundreds of squatters, with hallways and rooms turned into makeshift homes. The hotel’s vast halls are filled with remnants of its past, overshadowed by its current condition. Despite its decay, it’s still a landmark of Mozambique’s colonial history.
Lee Plaza Hotel – Detroit, Michigan, USA
Detroit’s Lee Plaza Hotel was once an Art Deco masterpiece catering to high society. Built in the 1920s, its luxurious design included marble finishes, chandeliers, and ornate interiors. Economic downturns and Detroit’s decline led to its closure in the 1990s, leaving it abandoned. Now, it’s a deteriorating shell with shattered windows, graffiti, and a haunting atmosphere. The city has attempted to preserve it, though revitalization remains elusive. Its grand architecture still attracts urban explorers and photographers seeking its faded beauty.
Hotel Polissya – Pripyat, Ukraine
Standing empty in the ghost town of Pripyat, Hotel Polissya was once an upscale Soviet-era hotel. It was built to accommodate visitors for the nearby Chernobyl Power Plant, complete with modern Soviet-style architecture. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster forced the evacuation of the entire area, leaving the hotel abandoned. Today, it’s a decaying structure with empty rooms and broken windows, surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The hotel is now a chilling reminder of the tragedy, drawing visitors on Chernobyl tours. Its haunting silence tells stories of a frozen moment in history.
Hotel del Salto – Tequendama Falls, Colombia
Overlooking the scenic Tequendama Falls, the Hotel del Salto was once a glamorous destination in Colombia. Opened in the 1920s, it provided sweeping views, French architecture, and an exotic getaway. Declining water quality in the river and shifting tourism trends led to its closure in the 1990s. The abandoned building became the subject of ghost stories and legends. Today, it’s a museum dedicated to biodiversity, though its original grandeur still captivates visitors. Its eerie setting and misty waterfall views make it a haunting landmark.
Hotel Belvedere – Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hotel Belvedere, located on the rocky coast of Dubrovnik, was once a luxurious resort with views of the Adriatic Sea. Built in the 1980s, it offered high-end accommodations and beach access. However, it was severely damaged during the Croatian War of Independence and left abandoned. The hotel’s skeleton remains, with crumbling walls and shattered windows overlooking the sea. Despite its ruin, it draws tourists and photographers fascinated by its past. Its eerie remains are a stark contrast to Dubrovnik’s thriving tourism scene.
Hotel du Golf – Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Once a luxurious hotel and golf resort, Hotel du Golf was a popular retreat for high-profile guests in Abidjan. Built in the 1960s, it offered an exclusive escape with lush landscapes and high-end amenities. Political unrest and economic challenges, however, led to its abandonment. Today, the building is in disrepair, with empty halls and deteriorating rooms. Its former grandeur is now overshadowed by graffiti and overgrown foliage. Despite the decay, it still stands as a reminder of Abidjan’s golden era of tourism.
Hotel Grossinger’s Catskill Resort – Liberty, New York, USA
Grossinger’s was once the epitome of luxury in New York’s Catskills, a favored vacation spot for families and celebrities. Established in the early 1900s, it featured opulent dining rooms, pools, and sports facilities. The decline of Catskills tourism in the 1980s led to its eventual closure. Today, the resort lies in ruins, with crumbling walls and graffiti covering its once-elegant interiors. Urban explorers visit to catch a glimpse of its storied past, though nature has begun to reclaim it. This iconic resort remains a haunting echo of a bygone era.
This article originally appeared on Rarest.org.
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