One of Monaco's 3 star hotels will close at the end of October 2009.
Hotel Alexandra
The Hotel Alexandra is the latest of the Principality's hotels to close, following the Terminus Tulip Inn at the end of 2008 and the Mirabeau in December 2007. But that's not to say that the number of rooms in Monaco is decreasing. It seems that each closure heralds a new opening, such as the Novotel in October 2007 and the Ni Hotel in 2008 (previously the Hotel Helvetia). In fact in 2008, there were 2623 rooms available, a figure that has been slowly increasing from 2167 in 2002.
Unfortunately, one hotel will never be resurrected. The Balmorel, bought by Monte Carlo SBM several years ago, has now been completely demolished to make way for 8 luxury serviced apartments linked to the Hermitage. Architect Alain-Charles Perrot is in charge of the construction project. He specialises in historic monuments and worked on the refurbishment of the Salle Garnier Opera House, so we can be certain that the facade of the Hermitage Residence will be in keeping with the Belle Epoque style.
As yet, no plans have been made public regarding the future of the Hotel Alexandra.