“A palace for parties not for sleepovers.” Does that sound like a riddle? It’s the story of the Hotel del Prado. Though called a hotel, this Montevideo landmark never actually functioned as one.
Let’s step back in time to 1912. The Hotel del Prado opened its doors on September 15th. Imagine the Montevideo elite arriving in their finest attire. They came to enjoy tea, gamble at the casino and attend lavish parties. It was a place of splendor. The Hotel del Prado was designed by architects Juan Veltroni and Jules Knab.
The name “Hotel del Prado” comes from the old Hotel “El Recreo del Prado”. Newlyweds from across the country traditionally spent their honeymoons there. The new building was erected on the same ground.
The Hotel del Prado wasn’t just for locals. Even royalty graced its halls. Chronicles from the era say that Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales, visited during his time in Montevideo. The prince enjoyed the hotel’s atmosphere.
The Hotel del Prado still stands today at Gabriela Mistral 4223. The building covers an area of 1200 square meters. It is bordered by Carlos María Pena, Julio Mendilaharsu and Gabriela Mistral streets. This area is part of El Prado Park. The park itself dates back to 1873 and spans 106 hectares around the Miguelete stream. The Hotel del Prado was declared a National Historical Monument in 1975.
Close to the Hotel del Prado stands the Cordier fountain. Louis Cordier, a French artist, created the sculpture. It represents the union of the Río de la Plata and its two contributing rivers. These rivers are the Uruguay and the Paraná. Three female figures represent the rivers, surrounded by native animals. Originally, the fountain was placed in Plaza Independencia in 1916 but it was relocated to its current spot near the Hotel del Prado in March 1922.
Streets around the Hotel del Prado are named after great writers. These include Delmira Agustini, María Eugenia Vaz Ferreira and Gabriela Mistral.
Today, the Hotel del Prado continues its legacy as a space for celebrations. It hosts parties and gatherings. So, while you can’t book a room here, you can experience a piece of Montevideo’s history. A history filled with music, dance and the echoes of a bygone era.