The Monte Palace Hotel: The Azores’ Most Glamorous Ghost

If you ever wanted to visit a five-star hotel that’s slowly being reclaimed by moss, fog, and probably a few very chill ghosts, let me introduce you to the Monte Palace Hotel, São Miguel’s grand, crumbling monument to ambition, nature, and “what could have been.”

Spoiler alert: you’re gonna love it. In a weird, eerie, Instagram-perfect way.

The Rise and Fall (Mostly Fall)

Back in the late 1980s, the Monte Palace Hotel was the place to be.
Built high above the stunning twin lakes of Sete Cidades, it boasted sweeping views, marble floors, multiple restaurants, and a vibe that screamed “money, success, shoulder pads.”

Then… it closed.
After just about one year.
(Yep. You read that right. Not a typo.)

Turns out building a massive luxury hotel at the very top of a misty volcanic crater wasn’t exactly a sustainable business model. Who knew? (Besides literally everyone who’s ever visited and packed a raincoat.)

A More Expanded Story Behind the Monte Palace: Dreams, Fog, and a Bit of Bad Luck

Once upon a time (1989, to be exact) a group of very optimistic developers looked at the misty cliffs above Sete Cidades and thought, “You know what would be great up here? A five-star hotel.”

And honestly, it was great… for about a year.
The Monte Palace opened with grand dreams: 88 rooms, 2 restaurants, 3 conference rooms, a nightclub, and even a bank inside (because luxury).
Guests could sip champagne while gazing out over crater lakes that looked like they were painted by the gods themselves. You want in, don’t you?

But nature had other plans.
The hotel was constantly blanketed in fog (like, “couldn’t-see-your-hand” levels of fog).
The road was tricky to drive.
And tourism to the Azores hadn’t exactly exploded yet (this was pre-Instagram, after all).

Result?
The Monte Palace closed less than two years after it opened.
Staff just… packed up one day and left.
Furniture, plates, even some TVs stayed behind – like the world’s classiest apocalypse starter kit.

Now, decades later, the hotel stands abandoned: part luxury relic, part playground for graffiti artists, part playground for nosy travelers like me.

Moral of the story?
When you build a dream hotel on a volcano, always check the weather first. 

Getting There: A Journey in Fog and Existential Thoughts

Driving up to Monte Palace is an experience all on its own.
The road winds through dense, storybook forests and occasional eerie pockets of fog where you briefly wonder if you’ve wandered into a Stephen King novel.
Eventually, you’ll spot the hulking, overgrown skeleton of the hotel looming in the mist — like a boss level you weren’t emotionally prepared for.

Parking?
Let’s just say it’s more of a “wherever the car fits without angering the local cows” situation.

The Pineapples

And because nothing says “moody abandoned hotel” like a refreshing tropical drink, imagine our excitement when, as we trudged toward the ruins, we spotted a little stand selling pineapple drinks.
Cue the cheering.

Now, the Azores are known for their pineapples – they take them very seriously here – so naturally, the line was long.
No one minded though; we all waited patiently, dreaming of that sweet, locally-grown goodness.

And then, the plot twist.
As we got closer, we overheard the woman at the stand casually mention that the pineapples were… from Costa Rica.

I mean, sure. Why not?
When in doubt, import your tropical vibes.

Before we go, a bit about pineapples that are ACTUALLY from the Azores (geesh):

Azorean pineapples are actually grown in greenhouses (not outdoors) and it takes about two full years to grow just one fruit!Unlike typical tropical pineapple farms, the

Azores (especially on São Miguel Island) have a cooler, misty climate. So to successfully grow pineapples, locals developed a unique greenhouse system called “estufas” in the 19th century.

The greenhouses protect the pineapples and carefully control temperature and humidity — making Azorean pineapples smaller, sweeter, and a lot more labor-intensive (hence why they’re considered a luxury fruit!).

Inside the Monte Palace: A Very Fancy Apocalypse

Walking inside, you’ll find… well, nature winning.
Plants are growing through the marble.
Graffiti artists have turned the walls into their personal gallery.
Balconies are crumbling, the old ballroom floor is cracked, and yet – somehow – it’s absolutely beautiful.

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to start a moody indie band, take 200 photos, and maybe ponder the fleeting nature of human ambition while dodging puddles.

Fun fact: You can still climb up to the rooftop and take in one of the best views in the entire Azores, if you’re willing to navigate some sketchy staircases and mildly terrifying drops. We were not.
(Adventure level: Moderate. Footwear level: Sensible.)

8/10, Would Ghost-Hunt Again

Monte Palace Hotel is a must-visit if you like your travel spots a little weird and a little weather-worn, but definitely crowded (at least when we were there).
It’s a reminder that nature always gets the last laugh, and that sometimes the most beautiful places aren’t the polished, five-star resorts, but the ones that time forgot (and moss remembered).

If you go:
Bring good shoes.
Bring a healthy respect for collapsing architecture.
And bring your camera. Trust me, your Instagram will thank you.

Just don’t expect room service.
Unless you’re cool with a pigeon delivering it.