You’ll save money by staying at these 15 abandoned hotels during your travels

When most travelers think of hotels, they imagine luxury suites, rooftop pools, and impeccable service. But scattered across the globe are abandoned hotels that are far from ordinary. These once-grand resorts have been left behind, swallowed by nature, or scarred by history. They may no longer host tourists, but they attract a different kind of visitor—urban explorers, history buffs, and photographers who see haunting beauty in decay.

These forgotten palaces of tourism are testaments to changing times, natural disasters, and shifting economies. From eerie hallways to ghostly lobbies, these spaces remind us that nothing lasts forever. Here are 15 abandoned hotels so creepy, they’re actually stunning.

1. Sesame Hotel, Taiwan

Once hailed as a five-star getaway in Taoyuan, the Sesame Hotel opened in 1976 but closed in 2008 due to bankruptcy and changing travel patterns. The building is now known as Asia’s most haunted hotel, with stories of a mysteriously moving elevator that operates without power. Its faded walls and empty halls create an unsettling atmosphere that fascinates ghost hunters and urban explorers.

2. Holiday Inn, Beirut, Lebanon

The Holiday Inn Beirut was once a shining symbol of modernity in the Middle East. It opened in 1974 with 26 stories, a revolving restaurant, and unmatched luxury. Sadly, the Lebanese Civil War turned it into a battlefield during the “Battle of the Hotels.” Today, it stands as a bullet-riddled skeleton overlooking the city, a chilling reminder of history.

3. Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, New York, USA

Once the jewel of the Catskills’ Borscht Belt, Grossinger’s Resort was where New York families vacationed in the mid-20th century. Celebrities performed there, and it epitomized leisure culture. After closing in 1986, the property was abandoned. Decades later, visitors still find remnants of the grand ballroom, indoor pool, and guest rooms frozen in time.

4. Polissya Hotel, Pripyat, Ukraine

The Polissya Hotel in Pripyat is infamous for its location near the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site. Abandoned in 1986, it remains one of the eeriest hotels in the world. The rooftop was once used by Soviet officials to observe emergency operations after the reactor explosion. Today, it’s part of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a silent witness to tragedy.

5. Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea

Nicknamed the “Hotel of Doom,” the Ryugyong Hotel was meant to be the tallest hotel in the world when construction began in 1987. But political turmoil and economic collapse halted progress. Though the exterior was later completed, the inside remains unfinished. The pyramid-shaped structure looms over Pyongyang as a bizarre architectural giant—creepy, yet captivating.

6. Burj Al Babas, Turkey

Not a single hotel but rather 587 miniature castles, the Burj Al Babas project was launched in the early 2000s as a luxury development near the Black Sea. When the 2008 financial crisis hit, construction stopped, leaving hundreds of identical fairytale homes abandoned. Walking through this surreal ghost town feels like stepping into an empty movie set.

7. Kupari Resort, Croatia

In the 1960s, Kupari was a glamorous Yugoslav military resort, home to several luxury beachfront hotels. During the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, the complex was bombed and abandoned. Today, the burnt-out shells remain open to visitors who want to glimpse the haunting ruins against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea.

8. Hotel Belvédère, Switzerland

Perched on the Furka Pass with breathtaking views of the Rhône Glacier, the Hotel Belvédère was a bucket-list destination for decades. However, as the glacier receded due to climate change, tourism plummeted, and the hotel closed in 2016. Now, it stands empty but still stunning, often photographed by travelers driving through the Swiss Alps.

9. Varosha Resort, Famagusta, Cyprus

Once one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, Varosha was a glamorous district filled with luxury hotels, nightclubs, and beaches. In 1974, following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, it was abandoned overnight. For decades, the resort was frozen in time, with decaying hotels and shops still visible behind fences. It remains one of the most famous ghost resorts in the world.

10. Hachijo Royal Hotel, Japan

Located on Hachijojima Island in the Philippine Sea, the Hachijo Royal Hotel was once one of Japan’s largest luxury resorts. Built in the 1960s, it catered to Tokyo’s elite, but by the early 2000s, it was abandoned due to declining tourism. The massive structure is now covered in vines and moss, blending eerily into the volcanic landscape.

11. Baker Hotel, Texas, USA

The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells opened in 1929, famous for its mineral baths that were believed to have healing powers. Hosting celebrities and politicians alike, it thrived until the 1970s when financial difficulties forced it to close. Empty ever since, the hotel has become a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts who believe it is haunted.

12. Bokor Palace Hotel, Cambodia

Built by French colonists in 1919, the Bokor Palace Hotel sat atop Bokor Mountain, offering sweeping views of the Cambodian jungle. It was abandoned in the 1940s and became a symbol of colonial decline. Although renovated in recent years, the original ruins still hold an air of eerie beauty, attracting travelers drawn to its ghostly history.

13. Hotel del Salto, Colombia

Overlooking the breathtaking Tequendama Falls near Bogotá, the Hotel del Salto opened in 1928 as a luxury retreat. However, pollution of the nearby Bogotá River led to its closure. For decades, it stood abandoned, perched on a cliff with views both stunning and ominous. Today, it has been partially restored as a museum, but its haunting aura remains.

14. Lee Plaza Hotel, Detroit, USA

Detroit’s Lee Plaza Hotel was once an Art Deco marvel, opening in 1929 during the city’s automotive boom. By 1997, economic decline forced its closure, leaving behind broken windows, peeling paint, and graffiti-covered walls. Despite its decay, the structure remains a striking symbol of urban abandonment and is often featured in photography projects.

15. Sheraton Resort Rarotonga, Cook Islands

In 1987, construction began on the Sheraton Resort Rarotonga, a massive luxury project. However, disputes over land ownership and allegations of organized crime halted the development. Today, the incomplete resort lies in ruins, a skeleton of what was meant to be the Cook Islands’ most luxurious destination.

The Beauty in Abandonment

These abandoned hotels may no longer welcome guests, but they continue to fascinate the world. Each location carries a unique story—whether it’s tied to war, economic collapse, or natural disaster. For explorers, they offer more than just eerie vibes: they are a glimpse into the past, reminders of impermanence, and hauntingly beautiful works of unintentional art.

If you’re drawn to places where time stands still, these 15 abandoned hotels prove that decay can be as captivating as luxury. Just remember—while photos may be breathtaking, exploring such places often involves risks. Their walls may crumble, but their stories endure forever.