Well, well, well… what have we here? The abandoned Hotel Monte Palace in São Miguel, Azores. This hotel there would be the perfect place to stay, but for the fact it’s completely falling apart. It’s actually perched on a mountaintop overlooking the super picturesque Sete Cidades lagoon and offers some of the best views on the island. (And, you should know, the Azores are one of my favorite travel destinations so far!)
Hotel Monte Palace opened in 1989 and was the Azores’ first 5-star retreat, complete with every imaginable amenity—restaurants, a bar, a nightclub, a hairdresser, even a bank. A year later, it was awarded “Best Hotel of the Year” in Portugal… and then it closed. (I actually read it closed the same week it was awarded the honor, but I was unable to confirm elsewhere.)
So, what went wrong? Simply put, the Azores wasn’t quite the travel hotspot that it is now. Folks just weren’t vacationing out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean like they are now.
#DarkTourism Dream
Security guards and dogs roamed the hotel Monte Palace grounds for a solid decade after its majestic doors closed, but apparently, they just stopped getting paid, so… they left. At that point, the place was completely abandoned and fell into disrepair. Now? A dark tourism wonderland!
You can literally walk right in. There’s no fence or barbed wire keeping you off the property. Do be careful, however—there are open elevator shafts and pieces of ceiling barely hanging on. Just don’t be a dumb ass, okay? Bring a flashlight, some sturdy shoes, and your camera.
How Do I Get There?
The Hotel Monte Palace is pretty easy to get to, though my dad was being Super Mario in our rental car and we did almost miss the stop. Otherwise, you can’t miss it. It’s on a single road, one way in, one way out—Vista do Rei (View of the King).
At the exact same stop, there’s also a hike to another Sete Cidades overlook (starts at the far end of the car park). Make a day of it. Bring snacks because there’s nothing else up there. We also found few places to eat in the Sete Cidades town itself down below.
Random aside: Just now, when I went to look the exact location up, Google Maps has a burger truck pinned right there. Maybe someone got smart! You go, and let me know if this elusive food truck actually exists. If it doesn’t, I’m retiring and starting a new business.
The New & Improved Hotel Monte Palace?
There is a little good news here for the building (depending on how you look at it). Since the latest Azores tourism boom, a real estate group has purchased the property and is set to re-open the doors in 2021! I say “depending on how you look at it” because, if you have a thing for decrepit, abandoned places like I do, you’d better get there fast. Maybe I’ll stay after the renovation, too. Cool idea, right? Before and after?
PIN THIS FOR LATER…
17 comments
This abandoned old hotel looks beautiful and scary tho. But it looks attractive to visit with friends.
I enjoy something like this. I don’t know if ever visit something like this abandoned building but I really love reading about people’s adventures in them. It is like stepping back in history somehow.
Good thing some hotels can now slowly go back to normal. Here, most are forced to close permanently due to the crisis.
It’s insane how it changed from being the best to now just an abandoned broken down property. Too bad, but so glad it will re-open and be re-modelled!
The place looks fantastic after the renovation. But I feel like there something in there. I dont feel like going to a previously abandoned place.
That place looks beautiful and scary as well. I am really interesting in the story behind this old hotel.
It looks like a beautiful place. I hope someone will restore it.
Wow..the place looks much adorable and scary too…Glad to know that soon getting remodel…Loved the look Hotel seems much interesting place to visit once after remodeling…
I have seen Youtube videos of this place and it is so fascinating to me. What an opportunity for you to go there and see it first hand!
These look scary 🙁 I am always scared to go into abandoned buildings
These are some AMAZING pictures, so creepy. Thanks for sharing these!
I find abandoned places kind of scary but instagrammable. I will definitely love to check it out before and after.
These are some amazing pictures. I am surprised to here that anyone can just walk in there.
Oh my gosh that is gorgeous and just screams ART
Old run down buildings are entirely up my alley. I love the history behind it all. Im sure this place was amazing back in its prime.
Glad to read that someone bought it and will be remodeling opening next year!
oh wow this is so pretty! ive never been before but id love to get here someday!