Eerie Glimpse Inside Hurricane-Damaged Florida Motel Frozen in Time
Fascinating photographs shared on the social media platform Reddit have provided a haunting look inside a deserted beachside motel in Florida, which was abandoned two years ago after sustaining significant damage from a hurricane. The images reveal a property seemingly frozen in time, with lights still illuminated and guest rooms appearing largely intact.
A Turquoise Time Capsule on the Coast
The striking property, identified by online users as the Makai Beach Resort in Ormond Beach on Florida's east coast, is completely painted in a distinctive turquoise colour, both externally and internally. A Reddit user uploaded several snaps of the location, commenting that while there was "pretty much nothing there", it was "cool to see".
The exterior shots show rubbish scattered across the car park and a modest amount of graffiti on one wall. However, interior photographs suggest the building remains in relatively decent structural condition. Despite some debris littering a hallway, large portions of the building appear much as they would have during its operational days.
Guest Rooms Untouched, Lights Still On
One particularly evocative photograph captured inside a guest bedroom displays two mattresses on twin beds, both appearing to be in great condition. The room's interior walls are decorated in a beige tone, complemented by walnut furnishings including bed frames and a writing desk. Notably, a small microwave within the room matches the motel's signature turquoise colour.
Perhaps most eerily, ceiling fan lights and wall fixtures remain illuminated in some areas, suggesting power is still connected. One image reveals what looks like a reception area, captured through a window, where brochures for nearby tourist spots sit in a rack and a water bottle rests atop a cabinet. However, signs of abandonment are present, with one upper window boarded up with chipboard.
The Story Behind the Abandonment
According to updates on the business's former Facebook page, the property sustained "significant damage" when Hurricane Milton battered the state in October 2024 and has not reopened since. An article published this week in the Orlando Business Journal revealed the site is now on the market for $13 million (approximately £9.5 million).
Reddit users speculated on the reasons for the abandonment. The original poster, who took the photos in August, guessed "hurricanes or something got it". Another user suggested "mould" as a key factor, stating "once it becomes too expensive to remove, there aren't many options".
Online Reactions: Nostalgia and Frustration
The post sparked a wave of reactions from former guests and observers. One user lamented, "I will never understand why they just abandon places like this. This property could have been turned into small studio apartments or low-income rentals instead of being left to rot."
Another comment reflected on the juxtaposition of vacancy and need: "Looking at pic #2 hurts my heart - imagine being unhoused, having to take shelter in an awkward nook... Meanwhile there are dozens of empty rooms, just on the other side of a locked door."
Former guests also shared nostalgic memories. One recalled, "Holy s***, I used to stay at that hotel every time I was in that area in the mid-00s." Another reflected, "Wow, I spent a few nights here as a child. This is insane to see it dead and abandoned."
The collection of images, including shots from the rooftop and an upper-floor balcony displaying the word 'BLAST' in oversized lettering, paints a poignant picture of a coastal business halted by natural disaster and the complex realities of property recovery in hurricane-prone regions.
