The Ghost Hotel of El Algarrobico: A Tale of Abandonment
A four-star hotel in Almería has remained desolate for two decades, never opening its doors to guests. Located in El Algarrobico, this ghostly structure boasts 411 completed rooms along with installed air-conditioning units, yet it has stood silent since construction was halted.
Situated just a stone’s throw from the pristine coastline of Cabo de Gata National Park, on one of Spain’s few unspoiled beaches, the hotel was envisioned as a luxurious resort featuring swimming pools and breathtaking sea views from every room. Its prime location, a mere 50 feet from the shoreline, aimed to make it a landmark destination for the region.
The construction of this towering edifice commenced in 2003 by the Spanish company Azata, but in 2006, all work came to a sudden stop. Environmental activists successfully campaigned against the project, arguing that the hotel was being built on protected land within the national park. Since then, the hotel has faced over 20 court battles, with its future remaining uncertain.
Today, the abandoned hotel stands as a ghostly monument, surrounded by three yellow cranes, frozen in time since the last workmen left the site. However, changes may be on the horizon. Earlier this year, Spain’s Vice President, María Jesús Montero, pledged to demolish the hotel within months, although the cost of demolition is not insignificant.
Originally constructed at a cost of approximately €70 million (£58 million), estimates suggest that tearing it down could require an additional €7 million (£5.8 million). This abandoned hotel is about an hour’s drive from Almería, a city that offers direct flights from London and Manchester.
Almería has recently been recognized as the happiest city in Spain, celebrated for its warm, mild climate and convenient access to hospitals and airports. With only 29 days of rain each year, it provides an ideal holiday destination for British travelers, who find it far less crowded than neighboring cities like Malaga and Granada. Remarkably, Almería is the only city in Europe with a hot desert climate, thanks to its proximity to the continent’s only desert.
In addition to its stunning beaches, Almería boasts numerous attractions, including the historic Alcazaba fortress, and is just a half-hour drive from the unique Tabernas Desert.
Inside Another Abandoned Hotel in Spain
Another notable example of an abandoned hotel in Spain is the 22-storey Añaza hotel, located along the shores of Los Pocitos village in Tenerife. This structure has remained completely empty for an astonishing 50 years. Originally constructed by a German company in 1973, work was halted just two years later, leaving the Y-shaped building unfinished. Once envisioned as a vibrant holiday destination, it has now become a skeletal remnant, covering an area of 2,350 square meters.
The entrance is overtaken by dry vegetation, while graffiti provides the only splash of color against its dilapidated walls. For those intrigued by abandoned places, this hotel offers a haunting glimpse into what once was. You can read more about this abandoned hotel here. Meanwhile, there are other abandoned hotels around the world, including an incredible 5-star hotel on ‘Japan’s Hawaii’ island, now reclaimed by the jungle, complete with rusting cars and unmade beds left behind.
The future of the El Algarrobico hotel remains uncertain, but it is poised for potential demolition, bringing an end to its ghostly presence along one of Spain’s most untouched beaches.
