Inside the eerie abandoned ‘Ghost Palace of Bali’ built by playboy Tommy Suharto & left rot in the jungle
THE ghosts of tortured construction workers are more likely to be at this haunted hotel in the heart of the jungle rather than guests.
The Bedugul Taman Rekreasi Hotel & Resort in Bali has been left to rot for over two decades and is now blanketed by weeds and vines.
The abandoned site dubbed the “Ghost Palace of Bali” was destined to become a luxury hotel – but is now a desolate wasteland.
Even locals on the Indonesian island have steered clear of the eerie remnants of the building, through fear of the spirits trapped there.
Legend has it that the would-be hotel is haunted by the ghosts of the exhausted workers who died there during its failed construction.
Others claim the playboy businessman behind the development, Tommy Suharto, was cursed with misfortune.
It’s easy to believe something otherworldly may be dominating the decaying structure when you take a look around.
Under a cloak of Bali’s luscious greenery, the unfinished resort looks like the perfect playground for lost souls to wreak havoc.
The main components of the hotel were completed before construction for the swanky accommodation came to a halt.
Now all that’s left behind is a series of powerful structures, grand staircases and incomplete guest facilities.
Giant stone serpent statues are all that remain to keep a watchful eye on the place and any mysterious goings on.
Vegetation and wildlife have now taken up permanent residency – embalming every inch of the place in weeds, vines and nests.
Stunning marble floors and traditional decorations have lost their former glory and now sport a coat of thick moss.
Grass has sprouted up between the intricate stone tiling, while wayward leaves have wrapped themselves around the columns.
A men’s bathroom – kitted out with urinals and a sink – seems frozen in time, except for the swathes of mould growing on the walls.
A series of incredible images taken by French photographer Romain Veillon have offered the world a glimpse inside the deserted palace.
The Parisian snapper dared to step foot on the spooky site to explore the almost-regal ruins, despite the stories of ghosts and ghouls.
Urban explorers and adventurous tourists have been attracted to the place, which is situated on the road from Kuta to Lake Beratan.
Although it is not open to the public, thrill-seekers keen to witness the haunting beauty seem to be able to find a way inside.
Some go in search of answers or signs – as even the ownership of the doomed hotel built in the 1990s has been called into dispute.
The opulent resort is thought to have been bankrolled by Tommy Suharto, the youngest son of a former Indonesian President.
The plan to open the establishment is then believed to have been scrapped in the early 2000s when he was jailed for corruption.
In 2002, Suharto was sentenced to 15 years for murder – which some people say sealed the fate of his promising enterprise.
But others claim the hotel actually has links to Indonesian royalty rather than the scandal-hit playboy businessman.
Locals talk of a frightful curse that was put on the resort developer, which left him bankrupt.
Taxi drivers dropping tourists off reportedly refuse to even enter the grounds in fear of the spirits and wait outside the gate.
An urban explorer who braved the chilling expedition told how there is no sign of human presence – and that the building has been “swallowed” by nature.
Roman Robroek, 34, explained: “The abandoned building used to be a beacon of elegance and luxury in the area.
“It was once a luxurious resort, but the hotel suddenly fell into decline.
“Today, the remnants of the hotel are largely swallowed by vegetation as nature continues to creep in.
“The hotel is rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of workers who tragically died during its construction.
“The empty halls and deserted rooms certainly give off a very creepy aura, in tune with the ghost stories and supernatural tales reported by many people who have visited.”
The explorer, from the Netherlands, visited the hulking property in June this year.
Roman described how rooms were littered with rubble, old furniture and broken doors.
And incredibly, some bathrooms still had robes and other toiletries stashed inside them.
Roman continued: “It is interesting to see just how big the hotel was.
“Some rooms were quite small, while others were spacious and luxurious.
“Some might notice that some of the hotel’s features aren’t decayed but were never fully completed in the first place.
“For instance, many fittings and finishes have seemingly been left undone, adding to the mystery behind the hotel’s quick demise and the timeline of how it all happened.”