In 1989, the now abandoned Hotel Monte Palace was opened on the island. The large five-story complex included two restaurants, a bar, a bank, a hairdresser, and a night club. In 1990, it was voted as one of the best hotels in Portugal and was rated as a five-star venue, the first in the Azores.
The largest island in the archipelago known as the Azores in Portugal is the island of San Miguel. The landscape offers visitors rolling hills and mountain landscapes.
There were 88 rooms available, many with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean or of the twin lakes named Sete Cidades set in the caldera of a nearby volcano.
However, only 18 months after the hotel opened, the owners filed for bankruptcy and closed the doors. Their initial plan had been to attract tourists from outside of Portugal, but unfortunately for them, at that time, the Azores was not a popular holiday destination.
In addition to the lack of international tourism, the very location of the hotel on the island was so remote that it was actually difficult for guests to get to it unless they hired a car. And once there, there was little for them to do except stare at the view.
Furthermore, the area was often shrouded in cloud and mist in the mornings and evenings. As a result of all this, public interest quickly faded, which led to a decrease in profits.
After closing, the owners decided against demolishing the building and instead chose to install a guard at the former hotel to keep it safe from vandals and thieves.
Until 2010, the hotel was patrolled by a guard and his dog. After that, the building was left unprotected because the allocated funding for a guard had run out.
After the hotel was abandoned to nature, it took on an eerie feel, quickly disintegrating and looking far from the five-star venue it had once been. But now it began to attract a new set of visitors: urban explorers.
Eventually, after some time, everything that could be carried out of the abandoned hotel was stolen. No furniture remained, the doors were taken, and the windows were broken. Even the elevator shafts were plundered and the valuable parts carted off.
The bare frame and walls of the building were covered with graffiti, while the interior was covered with garbage. Most visitors to this once-grand building now found it an empty shell.
In 2017, investors expressed a desire to rehabilitate the Hotel Monte Palace. The Chinese development company Level Constellation acquired the site and set about restoring the property. The building was officially closed to visitors while work was undertaken.
While it is unlikely that the newly built hotel will be named the Hotel Monte Palace, the restoration will preserve the architectural style of the former hotel. In contrast to when the Hotel Monte Palace opened in 1989, this location is now considered one of the most romantic places in the Azores.
Investors plan to complete the construction of a five-story hotel in 2021. This future holiday destination will offer guests access to a science center, a spa, a restaurant, and a beautiful rooftop area with amazing views. The new owners state their project will be in line with the region’s sustainable tourism values.
Walking routes are also being planned around the hotel so that guests can enjoy the fabulous location, and there will be opportunities for tourists to partake in outdoor activities such as birdwatching and hiking.
A big thank you to Richard Sachek and his website which details all of his adventures; you should definitely check it out if you want to know more about the fantastic places he’s visited.
Another big thank you to Ralph Apeldoorn from the Netherlands and his Flickr account which has amazing photos of beautiful places all over the world. Enjoy!
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