Hotel Casa Grande, Melaque, Mexico
“Travel is still the most intense mode of learning.” Kevin Kelly
Melaque’s only luxury all-inclusive hotel is no more. In 1965, a Mexican developer with backing from various other sources made a dream reality built the then Hotel Melaque. It sprawled over a city block and could accommodate up to 1,000 guests. During the 80’s, it was renamed Coco Club and later still renamed to its current name Hotel Casa Grande. During its prime, the hotel boasted beautiful guest rooms, stage shows, gardens and swimming pools.
Unfortunately, in 1995, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit that area causing a great deal of local devastation. The hotel was destroyed. It was a miracle that no one was killed.
On the left, you can see the L-shaped part of the hotel and on the right, you can see how large the hotel was.
Today, the hotel sits as a sad reminder of what may have been. The remaining ruins have never been dismantled as there is an ongoing dispute as to who owns the land. A chain link fence surrounds the property, and an Indigenous family is living in the gatehouse. I believe they are “squatting” to claim the land for their people. After searching the internet, I can’t find any information to indicate as to who is the present owner.
Every time there is an earthquake, I keep expecting the hotel to collapse finally. Other than the ongoing dispute, I would imagine that it would cost a small fortune to dismantle the hotel. Nature will eventually take its course.
Melaque and area are starting to boom. There is new construction all around town and hotels are doing some major renovating, so who knows what the future will hold for this landmark.
Vern Gazvoda, who is an excellent photographer, has done a video of the hotel. The video will give you an excellent idea of the size of the hotel as well as the destruction