Hôtel Montana
{{Short description|Hotel in Haiti}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{otheruses|Hotel Montana (disambiguation)}}
The Hôtel Montana is a four star luxury hotel in Haiti. 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.
= Hôtel Montana =
{{Infobox hotel
| hotel_name = Hôtel Montana
| logo=
| logo_width=80px
| image = Hotel Montana.jpg
| image_width =
| caption = Hôtel Montana in 2007
| location = Pétion-Ville, Haiti
| pushpin_map = Haiti |relief=1
| coordinates = {{coord|18|31|38|N|72|17|52|W|display=inline}}
| coordinates_type =
| stars =
| diamonds =
| opening_date = 1947
| closing_date =
| developer =
| architect =
| operator =
| owner =
| number_of_restaurants =1
| number_of_rooms =60
| number_of_suites =
| floor_area =
| floors =
| parking =
| website ={{URL|www.hotelmontanahaiti.com}}
| footnotes =
}}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.{{Cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/ |title=USGS Magnitude 7.0 – HAITI REGION |date=13 January 2010 |website=USGS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115110510/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/ |archive-date=15 January 2010 |url-status=dead|access-date=15 January 2010 }} 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/haitians-angry-over-slow-aid-20100204-ng2g.html|title=Haitians angry over slow aid|last=Renois|first=Clarens|date=5 February 2010|newspaper=The Age. Melbourne|access-date=7 February 2010}} 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.[http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/444036-Haiti_s_Hotel_Montana_Hotel_Christopher_Collapse_Hundreds_Feared_Dead.php Haiti's Hôtel Montana, Hotel Christopher Collapse; Hundreds Feared Dead] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116104639/http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/444036-Haiti_s_Hotel_Montana_Hotel_Christopher_Collapse_Hundreds_Feared_Dead.php |date=16 January 2010 }} Hotels Magazine, 13 January 2010
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.IOL, [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=122&art_id=nw20100127212402186C717440 "Quake survivors score meals from pizza place"], Ruth Morris, 28 January 2010 (accessed 31 January 2010)
File:Hotel Montana Haiti - Memorial Garden.jpg
The complete demolition of hotel buildings still rising among the ruins began on 28 January, 2010.USA Today, [https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-01-27-haiti-hotel-montana_N.htm "Crews begin to raze Haiti's Hotel Montana"], Oren Dorell, 27 January 2010 (accessed 28 January 2010) 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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/world/heartbreak-hotel-a-year-after-the-haiti-earthquake-1179518.html?page=2|title=Heartbreak hotel: A year after the Haiti earthquake, Hotel Montana owners struggle to rebuild|last=Duret|first=Daphne|date=18 January 2011|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|access-date=25 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814180745/http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/world/heartbreak-hotel-a-year-after-the-haiti-earthquake-1179518.html|archive-date=14 August 2011}}
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 seven-year-old member of the owners' family.{{Cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/hotelmontanahaitiearthquake/home/loved-ones-lost|title=Lost Loved Ones|date=22 February 2010|website=Google Sites|access-date=25 February 2010}} Every year, a mass is held on the memorial in remembrance of the victims of the tragedy.
The hotel reopened with eight rooms, but eventually added dozens more.{{Cite web|url=http://hotelmontanahaiti.com/|title=Hotel Montana Haiti – Home|website=Hotel Montana|access-date=25 June 2011|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012814/http://hotelmontanahaiti.com/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://hotelmontanahaiti.com/|title=Hotel Montana Haiti – Home|website=|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012814/http://hotelmontanahaiti.com/|url-status=dead}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Hotel Montana, Port-au-Prince}}
- [https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/751211--fearful-relatives-focus-on-collapsed-hotel "Fearful relatives focus on collapsed hotel"], thestar.com, 15 January 2010 – includes video clip
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=Kjde3Fmwb7IC&pg=PA301 Lonely Planet hotel profile]
{{2010 Haiti earthquake}}
Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1946
Category:Hotels established in 1946
Category:2010 disestablishments in Haiti