Hotel Monte Palace – The Truth Behind the Abandoned Hotel in the Azores

Hotel Monte Palace is the name of the former 5-star hotel that was open from April 1989 until late 1990 on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores (Portugal).

It remained closed and under permanent surveillance until 2011, but was abandoned and subsequently vandalised after payments for security ceased.

Located at Vista do Rei, a viewpoint offering panoramic views over the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the now-abandoned hotel catches the eye of everyone who passes by and has become a popular spot for photos and a destination for curious explorers.

The Monte Palace featured 88 rooms, including a presidential suite, 4 luxury suites, 4 double rooms with a sitting area, 27 double rooms, and 52 suites.

It had two restaurants, the “Grill Dona Amélia” and the “Restaurante D. Carlos” (the latter named in honour of the Portuguese king and queen who visited Sete Cidades during their reign — which is also how the Vista do Rei viewpoint got its name). Guests could also enjoy a bar, 3 conference rooms, games rooms, the “Night Club Chamarrita” disco), a bank, a tobacconist, boutiques and other shops.

Photo Gallery (Before and After)

Browse the image gallery below to see what the Hotel Monte Palace used to look like.

The Story of the Monte Palace Hotel in a Documentary

The documentary below, by Jorge Loures, allows us to understand and visualise the entire story of the Hotel Monte Palace – História de uma Ambição Desmedida. The true story of this place.

Currently, the Hotel is for sale for 1.494 million euros, seeking investors with the capital for its complete restructuring and revitalisation. This space holds immense tourism and scenic potential. It has a building footprint of 2,396 m2 and a total construction area of 13,104 m2.

Until a new owner is found—and despite various theories about its future and reopening—it currently remains an abandoned site that welcomes thousands of visitors and curious onlookers throughout the year.

Update: 1 November 2017: According to the newspaper Açoriano Oriental, the Monte Palace Hotel has been sold to a group of Asian investors. Sale confirmed: Former Monte Palace Hotel to Reopen in 2021

See also: The National Geographic Hotel