What Happened To Duta Vista? The Abandoned Resort In KL That Once Had Penguins
Floppy disks, files, and posters of past events serve as haunting reminders of the vibrant atmosphere that once was.
If you've ever driven along Jalan Duta (now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim) on your way to the city, chances are you've passed by this eerie, dilapidated complex without giving it a second thought
But back in its heyday, Duta Vista was the epitome of luxury in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur.
Built in 1991, this five-storey resort, featuring 65 executive suites, was a hotspot for both short-term vacationers and long-term residents.The property had amenities like a tennis court, an infinity pool, and its most unusual attraction — penguins that inhabited the pool area! :O
Over the years, however, Duta Vista has deteriorated into an abandoned site with a history marred by tragedies and mysterious events.
Here's how it looked in its prime:
Image via Reserving
Image via Direct Hotels
Image via Duta Vista
Image via KL-Plan
Image via Shukri S/Foursquare
Guests fondly reminisced about the unique experience of watching penguins play by the pool, a cherished memory for many.
Image via Andrian T/Foursquare
Image via Sharon T/Foursquare
Here's how it looks like today:
This once-vibrant resort now stands abandoned, its walls weathered and its amenities in decay
What was once a gleaming jewel of hospitality became a site of discomfort, with negative reviews piling up.
Maintenance issues, from electrical faults and water shortages to a general decline in upkeep, plagued the resort. Luxury turned into disrepair, and the once-thriving destination became a symbol of neglect.
Curious Malaysians have documented the resort's eerie abandonment, with videos showing floppy disks, files, and papers scattered across the floors.
Hotel cutlery, including plates and other items, are left in boxes, as though abandoned in haste. Posters of past events serve as haunting reminders of the vibrant atmosphere that once was.
Image via @naemJD (YouTube)
Image via @naemJD (YouTube)
Image via @naemJD (YouTube)
But perhaps the most intriguing chapter in Duta Vista's history is its reputation for being haunted
Guests and staff alike whispered about phantom footsteps, laughter from empty rooms, and other eerie occurrences.
This ghostly reputation didn't help its case, transforming it from a luxury destination to a site for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
Image via Google Street View
Image via Google Street View
Unfortunately, Duta Vista's decline was also marked by a series of tragic events
In 2015, a couple, Paul William Nunis and Mary Nunis, lost their lives in a heartbreaking accident at the resort's car park.
After attending a gathering at the complex, their car plunged from the fifth floor of the multi-storey car park when the driver lost control, leading to their untimely deaths.
Image via Yusni Ariffin/New Straits Times
There are also stories of a film crew member reportedly getting injured during a shoot, landslides damaging parts of the property, and even rumours of a suicide. These incidents only added to the sadness and mystery surrounding Duta Vista.
In 2017, the villa-style apartments shut down for good, unable to recover from all the challenges it faced.
Today, it stands abandoned — a forgotten relic of its former glory — drawing more curiosity about its past than interest in what it once offered.
As for the penguins that once graced the poolside area, there's little information about what happened to them. It's likely they were relocated when the property began its decline, but their brief stint at Duta Vista remains one of the quirkiest aspects of its history.
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