Hôtel Montana

The Hôtel Montana is a four star luxury hotel in Haïti. It is located on Rue Frank Cardozo, Bourdon on one of the only three main roads connecting the capital to its southeastern outskirt city Pétion-Ville.

It was one of the most luxurious hotels in Haiti until it was destroyed by the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It opened in 1947 and remained a family owned institution. It welcomed international personalities (Heads of State, ministers, diplomats, famous actors and businessmen).

History

Hotel Beau-Site

The hotel was built in 1947 on the plans of the architect Franck Cardozo and inaugurated on the occasion of the bicentenary of the foundation of the city of Port-au-Prince. The establishment was then called the "Hotel Beau-Site" (English translation "Beautiful Site Hotel") and stood on the hillside, rue Franck Cardozo. It offered 12 rooms with views of the Haitian capital and the bay that opens off onto the Caribbean Sea.

View from Hotel Montana Haiti
Centenarian Mahogany tree at Hotel Montana

Hôtel Montana
Hôtel Montana
Hôtel Montana in 2007
Location within Haiti
General information
LocationPétion-Ville, Haiti
Coordinates18°31′38″N 72°17′52″W
Opening1947
Other information
Number of rooms60
Number of restaurants1
Website
hotelmontanahaiti.com

Subsequently, the hotel's popularity grew and its installations followed suit. By 2005 the building stood on seven floors and had 145 rooms. By 2009, the hotel had a swimming pool, shops, eight conference rooms and a small chapel.

The flagship of hotels of Haiti, it was classified four-star hotel. The hotel accommodated the international jet-set as well as politicians and businessmen from around the world. The former US President Bill Clinton, the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, and the actor Brad Pitt had stayed there among others. On 12 January 2010, at 4:53 pm, a 7.0M earthquake shook Haiti.[1] The 45-second shock-wave caused the collapse of the hotel and many other landmarks. The government of Haiti estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.[2] In just a few minutes, the hotel became a heap of white stone and twisted steel wires causing an estimated 200 of 300 guests to be reported missing the day after the collapse.[3]

The hotel donated what could be salvaged from its freezers to restaurant Muncheez, which was at the time working as a community soup kitchen, serving free meals.[4]

Memorial Garden

The complete demolition of hotel buildings still rising among the ruins began on 28 January, 2010.[5] With the encouragements of staff and guests, the hotel's reconstruction was set in motion. As of April 2011, the hotel underwent reconstruction, with the bar, pool, restaurant and some rooms already being open to guests.[6]

The hotel dedicated a quiet garden on-site for those who were victims of the tragic earthquake. Fifty two people lost their lives, including a 7-year-old member of the owners' family.[7] Every year a mass is held on the memorial in remembrance of the victims tragedy.

The hotel reopened with 8 rooms, but with full service restored.[8]

The hotel currently has expanded its rooms, offering to 60.[9]

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References
  1. "USGS Magnitude 7.0 – HAITI REGION". USGS. 13 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  2. Renois, Clarens (5 February 2010). "Haitians angry over slow aid". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  3. Haiti's Hôtel Montana, Hotel Christopher Collapse; Hundreds Feared Dead Archived 16 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Hotels Magazine, 13 January 2010
  4. IOL, "Quake survivors score meals from pizza place", Ruth Morris, 28 January 2010 (accessed 31 January 2010)
  5. USA Today, "Crews begin to raze Haiti's Hotel Montana", Oren Dorell, 27 January 2010 (accessed 28 January 2010)
  6. Duret, Daphne (18 January 2011). "Heartbreak hotel: A year after the Haiti earthquake, Hotel Montana owners struggle to rebuild". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  7. "Lost Loved Ones". Google Sites. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  8. "Hotel Montana Haiti – Home". Hotel Montana. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  9. "Hotel Montana Haiti – Home". Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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