Image via Complex Original
Those horror movies you cover your eyes to watch have nothing on the chills to be found at a resort near you, free of charge. Some of the wealthiest people on the planet wined and dined at these vacation destinations, but now they are abandoned, and thus creepy for anyone but the ghosts that haunt their halls.
If you're bold enough to visit any of these abandoned resorts make sure you bring company and keep a look out for evil spirits. You might not see them, but they definitely see you. If you're smart, your best bet is to keep it simple, stay at The Hampton Inn, and just peruse these haunting images of abandoned resorts on your laptop.
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20. Sheraton of Gary, Indiana
Abandoned Since: 1985
What Was It Originally? A hotel trying its best to make a profit.
The Sheraton wasn't a resort exactly, but it had resort qualities. It served as the Holiday Inn when it originally opened in 1968 and reopened 10 years later as the Sheraton. Unfortunately, money was sparse and it ended up closing for good in 1986. Left behind is the standing building and memories of what could've been.
19. Randall Park Hotel
Abandoned Since: Early '90s
What Was It Originally? A hotel for those traveling to Randall Park in Ohio
This hotel near Randall Park, Ohio, closed after a fire, leaving behind remains of the interior and price tags from previously purchased items. Unless someone is still living there and using all the dishware.... It's a possibility.
18. Aptera Beach Resort
Abandoned Since: n/a
What Was It Originally? A tourist beach resort near the Mediterranean
Although the Mediterranean still attracts tourists, Aptera beach does not. This small beach has been abandoned for some time now along with the resort that sits on the beach. Not only is it creepy to look at, but people won't even dare go near.
17. Hotel del Salto
Abandoned Since: Early '90s
What Was It Originally? A lavish hotel for wealthy guests visiting the Tequendama Falls area
What used to be a tourist attraction because of the magnificient view came to a hault in the early '90s after the Bogota River became contaminated. The hotel is said to be haunted by the ghosts of people who leapt from the famous edge of the cliff to commit suicide.
16. Unnamed Hot Springs Resort
Abandoned Since: n/a
What Was It Originally? A hot springs resort
All that remains of this resort are bricks and pieces of what once was. It's pretty common to see abandoned buildings and cars in this area of California, which is clearly not where Biggie was headed when he wrote "Going Back to Cali."
15. River Queen Motel
Abandoned Since: n/a
What Was It Originally? A quick stop for travelers on their way to the lake or casino
An empty pool and an empty resort. What do they have in common? Nothing. Get it? Nothing. I highly doubt a skunk would want to stay at this motel.
14. Koh Ngai
Abandoned Since: 2004
What Was It Originally? An active beach resort in Thailand
What was once a beach resort is now covered by vegetation after being destroyed by a tsunami. This is nature's sad way of forcing humanity to go green. Not only are the outside of buildings covered, but the moss has managed to grow inside the walls as well. This resort screams Jumanji meets Where the Wild Things Are, but way more tragic.
13. Colonia Varese
Abandoned Since: n/a
What Was It Originally? An Adriatic Sea beach resort dating back to the 1930s that tourists and fisherman visited
Large buildings can be creepy when inhabited. When nobody lives in them, they're terrifying. But it's said that someone does live inside the humongous resort. Whether that person happens to be a ghost or not is up to you. Whoever it is, atleast they're living rent free. We ain't mad at cha.
12. Villa de Vecchi
Abandoned Since: 1960s
What Was It Originally? A mansion by Lake Como in Italy
Villa de Vecchi's nickname? "The Ghost Mansion." As dead as it may seem, it is still quite beautiful despite the peeling paint. That beauty belies its horrific past. Count Felix de Vecchi built the stunning residence for his family in the mid 1800s but committed suicide a year before it was finished when he returned home to find his wife murdered and his daughter missing. The count's brother inherited the home but his family abandoned it generations later and it is said to be haunted today.
11. Napa Soda Spring
Abandoned Since: The turn of the 20th century
What Was It Originally? A resort in California's Soda Springs for the wealthiest of the wealthy
With 50 rooms, an interior that would wow anyone, and a view that was even more stunning, this resort from the 1800s was a gem. It was known for its water that was produced in the attractive springs. Now this place that was once so elegant has been reclaimed by nature.
10. The Cuchara Mountain Resort
Abandoned Since: 2000
What Was It Originally? A ski resort in the mountains of Colorado
The Cuchara Mountain Resort had eight different owners in less than two decades of operation. What runs off so many resort owners? You don't have to be Scooby and Shaggy to know that Big Foot (or the groundskeeper) was behind this failed business venture.
9. The Alpen Rose Ski Resort
Abandoned Since: 2000
What Was It Originally? A ski resort in the popular skiing area of Hyogo, Japan
Renamed Alpen Rose in 1978, this resort was home to those who wanted to hit the slopes and have a good time. After closing its doors in 2000, all the remains are collecting cob webs and dust waiting for the next visitor to check in and stay forever.
8. Club Maeva Tulum
Abandoned Since: 2005
What Was It Originally? A traveler's paradise located on the white sandy beach of Mexico
This little piece of heaven had it all from the white sand to the clear water and delicious food. A place people could come to get away from the negativity of life. The reviews online say this was the place to be. Nobody saw it coming, but in 2005, due to damage from Hurricane Emily and Wilma, this precious jewel closed its doors for good.
7. Ghost Town of Gagra
Abandoned Since: 1993
What Was It Originally? A popular tourist destination and health resort during the Soviet Union times
This once beautiful castle is now a mass of debris and glamorous memories. Due to war in the early '90s, Gagra went from looking like a bag of money to a bag of trash. Gagra is now referred to as a ghost town because of all the murders that took place during the war and some even believe that they have spotted a ghost or two.
6. Buck Hill Inn
Abandoned Since: 2003
What Was It Originally? A small private resort in the Poconos
Buck Hill Inn definitely merits the phrase "started from the bottom." Beginning as a small private resort in the Poconos, it later became very popular and large in size with over 400 rooms. The resort never actually closed, but in 2003 it was severely damaged due to a fire started by two men. Previously Buck Hill had been used for MTV's Fear in 2000. It is said to be haunted as a result of previous murders and suicides, but there has not been much evidence shown.
5. Sanzhi, Taiwan
Abandoned Since: 1980
What Was It Originally? A futuristic resort that was never fully completed
A dream deferred maybe? Or not quite. This resort in Sanzhi, Taiwan, had a lot of potentional, but this resort that looked like it was from the cartoon The Jetsons was ultimately abandoned before construction was finished. The property is said to be cursed, but who would want to go and find out? Don't all speak at once.
4. Varosha
Abandoned Since: 1974
What Was It Originally? A beautiful beachside hotel in the town of Famagusta, Cyprus, that entertained movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor
This breathtaking resort closed down only a few years after opening because of the Turkish invasion. Those who were living lavish and soaking up the sun had no other choice but to stop what they were doing and promise to never return. It's crazy how one day the beach could be full of people enjoying life and the next day the beach is empty with nothing but a barbwire fence as a barrier. Since the resort closed, no one has dared to trespass unless they are rather daring and foolish.
3. White Pines Resort
Abandoned Since: 1990
What Was It Originally? A German-Jewish resort in the late 1800s, then a workers resort owned by various unions
The White Pines Resort was more than a place of relaxation and entertainment. For the unions that owned it, including the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, it was a place to educate members and organize politically, while also giving workers rest and employing laborers for solid wages. The U.S. grew increasingly less blue-collar towards the end of last century, though, and White Pines shut down in 1990 because of dwindling membership and high subsidies.
2. Oriental Resort
Abandoned Since: 2004
What Was It Originally? A vacation spot for tourists built in the '60s on a tiny secluded island south of Tokyo
This haunting, beautiful resort only leaves behind bed frames, dust, and broken mantels. What was once a vacation spot for tourists began to lose business as money fell through and visitors began to disappear. The Oriental Resort closed its doors for good almost a decade ago. From the outside the beauty is still there. How could something so beautiful be so cold and dead?
1. Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel
Abandoned Since: 1986
What Was It Originally? A resort in the heart of New York that welcomed wealthy entertainers and athletes
Money was never an issue to those who spent their vacations at this spiffy resort. Grossinger's offered it all, from recreational activities to artificial snow in the winter, and became a well known spot to mix and mingle if your pockets allowed it. Unfortunately, business declined once guests realized New York wasn't the only place they could go to stunt. This resulted in the closing of Grossinger's in 1986, leaving what was once an elegant resort for the well-off in shambles, an abandoned building full of memories and dust.