I’ve been doing that January thing of trying to book a summer holiday to have something to look forward to. I’d decided upon Croatia so I noticed when the brilliant Balkanist promoted one of their old stories this week about a derelict hotel on the Croatian island of Krk. Ros wrote about a hotel in Dubrovnik she visited years ago before it was brought back to swanky new life. In contrast, Haludovo Palace Hotel (and casino) is one of apparently many that have been left to wreck with no obvious future plan. According to the Balkanist, it’s worse than wrecked, it’s dangerous and the reporter almost fell through the floor when he visited.

Here’s how it looked back in the day.

It belonged to American millionaire – and founder and publisher of Penthouse magazine – Bob Guccione who in 1972 opened his dream hotel after nearly four years of construction. His vision was pure porn-palace glamour – chandeliers, expensive carpets, statues by a famous artist, plus the hotel had its own bowling alley, beaches, beauty salon and 2 pools – one rumoured to be filled with champagne. Here it is today.

Unbelievably, the Haludovo had just one year in business before it went bankrupt. What a year though –  50 Penthouse Pets milling around as hostesses and croupiers, grotesque amounts of lobster and caviar served from the kitchen (there are stats), parties hosted by the mayor of Zagreb, Sadam Hussein a famous guest – leaving behind him a $2,000 tip for a Penthouse Pet plus his son’s golden pistol (he forgot it), and the Manhattan doctor who invented facelifts almost hired to work in the spa.

In other words, exactly what I’m looking to find for my own holidays.

See more amazing photos and read the full story over at Balkanist.