Do you love a good ghost story? If eerie hallways, crumbling architecture, and chilling backstories intrigue you, you’re in for a treat. Abandoned hotels worldwide are rich with mystery and suspense whether you believe in the supernatural or enjoy urban exploration.
Hotel del Salto, Columbia
Nestled on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Bogotá River in Colombia, the Hotel del Salto is one of the eeriest abandoned hotels in the world. Initially opened in 1928 as a luxurious retreat for wealthy travellers visiting the nearby Tequendama Falls, the hotel’s grandeur quickly faded, and it was permanently closed in the early 1990s. Rumours of paranormal activity swirl around the crumbling structure, with locals believing it to be haunted by the spirits of those who tragically leaped from the cliffs. Over time, nature has reclaimed parts of the once-opulent building, adding to its ghostly atmosphere.
Polissya Hotel, Ukraine
This hotel stands frozen in time as a haunting relic of the Chernobyl disaster. Once a symbol of Soviet luxury, this towering structure was built in the 1970s to accommodate visiting dignitaries and tourists to the thriving nuclear city. However, after the catastrophic explosion of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986, the hotel—along with the entire town—was hastily abandoned, leaving behind an eerie time capsule of Soviet life. Today, the skeletal remains of the Polissya Hotel loom over the desolate streets of Pripyat, its empty rooms and shattered windows telling a chilling story of sudden evacuation and decay.
Lee Plaza Hotel, Detroit
Once a beacon of opulence in Detroit’s skyline, the Lee Plaza Hotel now stands as a crumbling monument to the city’s economic decline. Opened in 1929, this Art Deco masterpiece was designed to cater to Detroit’s elite, boasting lavish interiors adorned with marble, intricate woodwork, and crystal chandeliers. However, as the city faced financial hardship and population decline in the late 20th century, the hotel fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. Today, the once-grand halls are filled with peeling paint, broken windows, and eerie remnants of its glamorous past.
Haludovo Palace Hotel, Croatia
Perched along the scenic coast of the Croatian island of Krk, the Haludovo Palace Hotel was once a lavish retreat for the rich and famous. Opened in the 1970s with funding from a wealthy American entrepreneur, the hotel boasted extravagant amenities, including opulent swimming pools, luxurious suites, and a casino catering to high-profile guests worldwide. However, its glamour was short-lived, as political and economic turmoil in the region led to its decline and eventual closure in the 1990s.
The Grand Hotel Kupari, Croatia
Once a luxurious retreat for the elite, the Grand Hotel Kupari in Croatia now stands as a haunting reminder of the country’s turbulent past. Nestled along the stunning Dalmatian coastline, this opulent resort was part of the Kupari tourist complex, built during the Yugoslav era to accommodate high-ranking military officials and their families. However, the Croatian War of Independence outbreak in the early 1990s left the hotel heavily damaged and abandoned, with its grand halls and lavish rooms reduced to eerie, crumbling ruins. Bullet holes and scorch marks still scar the once-elegant façade, serving as a chilling testament to the conflict that ravaged the region.
Coco Palms Hotel, Hawaii
Once a tropical paradise on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the Coco Palms Resort now stands as a decaying shell of its former glory, steeped in history and mystery. Opened in 1953, the hotel became a celebrity hotspot, famously hosting Elvis Presley while filming Blue Hawaii and attracting Hollywood’s elite with its lush gardens and beachfront luxury. However, its glamorous reign ended abruptly in 1992 when Hurricane Iniki ravaged the island, leaving the hotel in ruins. The property has remained abandoned for decades despite numerous attempts to restore it.
Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania
Tucked away in the dense forests of the Pocono Mountains, the abandoned Buck Hill Falls Inn in Pennsylvania is a chilling relic of early 20th-century luxury. Initially opened in 1901 as a grand mountain resort catering to the wealthy elite, the hotel flourished for decades, offering guests lavish amenities and access to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. However, as travel trends changed and financial difficulties mounted, the once-thriving resort fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned in the 1990s.
Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, New York
Once the crown jewel of the Borscht Belt in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel is now a haunting reminder of a bygone era of luxury and entertainment. Opened in the early 20th century, the sprawling resort attracted thousands of guests, including celebrities and socialites, offering everything from lavish dining halls to a championship golf course and even one of the first indoor swimming pools in the U.S. However, as the popularity of the Catskills declined in the late 20th century, Grossinger’s fell into financial trouble and closed its doors in 1986.
The Baker Hotel, Texas
Rising ominously over the small town of Mineral Wells, Texas, the Baker Hotel is a grand yet ghostly reminder of a once-thriving era of luxury and healing. Opened in 1929, the hotel capitalized on the town’s famous mineral waters, drawing in Hollywood stars, politicians, and wealthy travellers seeking rejuvenation in its lavish spa facilities. However, after decades of prosperity, the rise of modern medicine and changing travel trends led to its decline, and the hotel was permanently closed in 1972.
Sources:
12 Abandoned Hotels In The World That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
10 Abandoned Hotels That Will Give You The Chills
