The Hotel Oloffson, a gingerbread mansion in Port-au-Prince that once hosted Mick Jagger and inspired Graham Greene’s novel The Comedians, was reduced to ashes by armed gangs on 5 July 2025. This article traces its journey from a presidential residence to a cultural landmark and examines what the loss means for travelers and historians alike. We draw on reporting from The New York Times, official government statements, and archival profiles to build a complete, fact-grounded profile.
Last checked: 2026-08-02
Name: Hotel Oloffson · Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti · Category: 3-star hotel, historic ‘gingerbread’ mansion · Current Status: Destroyed by fire on 5 July 2025 (gang attack)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-02.
Sources reviewed: Wikipedia (English, French, German), The New York Times, The Guardian, Bloomberg, CBS News, NPR, Princeton Alumni Weekly, Visit Haiti tourism site, The World (public radio), HaitiLibre, Facebook posts from The Haitian American, and Around the World 4U travel blog.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, speak to staff, or independently verify the details of the arson attack. Our timeline and facts rest on multiple prominent news organisations and official government communication.
Snapshot: Hotel Oloffson at a glance
- Built in the late 19th century for the Sam family; later served as a U.S. Marine Corps hospital during the occupation of Haiti (1915–1934). (The Guardian)
- Graham Greene used the hotel as the model for the fictional Hotel Trianon in his 1966 novel The Comedians, set during the Duvalier dictatorship. (Wikipedia)
- Under owner Richard Morse, the hotel hosted weekly RAM concerts and became a meeting point for diplomats, journalists, and artists. (NPR)
- Set ablaze on 6–7 July 2025 amid escalating gang warfare; the Prime Minister’s Office called it a “criminal act of unspeakable violence.” (HaitiLibre)
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Hotel Oloffson |
| Location | Corner of Rue Capois and Avenue Christophe, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (French Wikipedia) |
| Category | 3-star hotel, historic gingerbread mansion |
| Current status | Destroyed by fire on 5 July 2025 (gang attack) |
| Year originally built | Late 19th century (private mansion) |
| Year converted to hotel | 1935 (by Werner Gustav Oloffson) |
| Number of rooms | 22 |
| Star rating (current listing) | 3-star |
| Former uses | Presidential summer palace; U.S. Marine Corps hospital |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Architectural style | Haitian gingerbread (wooden lattice, verandas, turrets) |
| Notable guests | Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ernest Hemingway (attributed) |
| Management from 1987 | Richard Morse (Haitian-American musician) |
| Closure to guests | 2024 (due to safety concerns) |
| Date of destruction | 6–7 July 2025 |
Is Hotel Oloffson Still Open?
No. The Hotel Oloffson has been closed to overnight guests since 2024, when worsening gang violence in Port-au-Prince forced its owners to stop accepting visitors. Princeton Alumni Weekly reported that the hotel had already ceased operations before the July 2025 fire. Then, over the weekend of 6–7 July 2025, armed gangs set the building ablaze, reducing the wooden structure to ashes.
Current Status After July 2025 Fire
The fire destroyed the mansion completely. CBS News described it as “reduced to ashes by gang members.” No plans for reconstruction have been announced.
Official Statements on Operations
Owners Richard and Lunise Morse stated via social media that the hotel was “burned to the ground,” per Bloomberg. The Haitian Prime Minister’s Office released a statement calling the fire a “criminal act of unspeakable violence,” according to HaitiLibre. There is no indication that operations will resume.
“This was not just a building — it was an architectural gem, a living symbol of Haitian history.”
— Haitian Prime Minister’s Office, via HaitiLibre
What Is the Hotel Oloffson About?
The Hotel Oloffson was far more than a place to sleep. It was a 22-room gingerbread mansion whose history weaves together Haitian politics, literature, music, and tourism.
History as a Private Mansion and Presidential Palace
The property was built in the late 19th century as the private home of the Sam family. President Tirésias Simon Sam, who governed Haiti from 1896 to 1902, lived in the mansion. Visit Haiti notes that the building later became a summer palace for the Haitian presidency. During the U.S. occupation from 1915 to 1934, it was used as a U.S. Marine Corps hospital.
Architecture: The Gingerbread Style
The Guardian describes it as “a classic Haitian gingerbread mansion,” a style known for intricate wooden latticework, steep verandas, turrets, and spires. It survived the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake with limited damage, according to the travel blog Around the World 4U, which credits its resilient wooden frame.
Cultural Significance
In its heyday, the hotel was labeled the “Greenwich Village of the Tropics,” attracting Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, Mick Jagger, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. After Richard Morse took over in 1987, the hotel became the base for his band RAM, whose weekly Thursday shows drew diplomats, journalists, and locals. NPR called it “a cultural beacon.”
Who Is Richard Morse?
Richard Auguste Morse is a Haitian-American musician, anthropologist, and former manager of Hotel Oloffson. He took over the property in 1987 and transformed it into a hub for vodou-influenced roots rock through his band RAM.
Connection to Hotel Oloffson
Morse’s family had ties to the hotel; his father was a Swiss expatriate and his mother was Haitian. He and his wife Lunise ran the hotel for nearly four decades. Around the World 4U notes that Morse’s weekly RAM performances became the hotel’s signature attraction.
Current Whereabouts
After the fire, Morse posted on social media from an undisclosed location, confirming the hotel’s destruction. The Haitian American reported that he and his family are safe but have not publicly announced their next steps.
“Hotel Oloffson burned to the ground.”
— Richard Morse, via Bloomberg
What Happened to Hotel Oloffson?
On the night of 6–7 July 2025, armed members of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition set the Hotel Oloffson on fire. The wooden gingerbread structure burned rapidly and was reduced to rubble.
The July 2025 Fire and Gang Attack
The New York Times reported that the arson occurred amid a surge of gang violence in Port-au-Prince. Multiple news outlets, including CBS News, stated that gang members deliberately set the fire. Owners Richard and Lunise Morse attributed the attack to the Viv Ansanm coalition, according to The Haitian American.
Destruction as Symbol of Haiti’s Gang Crisis
The Guardian described the fire as emblematic of Haiti’s broader gang crisis — a country where armed groups now control large parts of the capital and have targeted historic landmarks. The Prime Minister’s Office statement via HaitiLibre called it a “symbol of Haitian history destroyed by flames.”
What Are Some Cheap Hotels in Port-au-Prince, Haiti?
Given the destruction of Hotel Oloffson and the ongoing security crisis, travelers seeking budget accommodation in Port-au-Prince face limited options. The city still has several small hotels and guesthouses, though many have also closed or restricted operations. We cannot endorse specific properties without verified data, but we recommend consulting current travel advisories and booking platforms for the latest availability.
Note: The U.S. Department of State currently advises against all travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, and civil unrest. Any travel plans should be made with extreme caution.
Is Hotel Oloffson Haunted?
Local lore and travel blogs have long whispered about ghosts at Hotel Oloffson — spirits of former residents and even a few guests who died under mysterious circumstances. However, no credible evidence exists, and the fire has likely ended any chance of paranormal investigation. The question appears frequently in related searches, but we treat it as unverified folklore.
Hotel Oloffson Restaurant and Menu
The hotel once housed a restaurant that served Haitian and international cuisine. Specific menu items are not recorded in the sources we reviewed, and the restaurant, like the hotel, is gone. Travelers in Port-au-Prince today should look to other dining establishments.
Timeline: Key dates in the life of Hotel Oloffson
- Late 19th century: Mansion built for the Sam family in Port-au-Prince.
- 1896–1902: President Tirésias Simon Sam resides in the mansion.
- 1915–1934: U.S. Marine Corps uses the building as a hospital during occupation.
- 1935: Swedish sea captain Werner Gustav Oloffson leases and converts it into a hotel.
- 1966: Graham Greene publishes The Comedians, featuring the hotel as “Hotel Trianon.”
- 1950s–1970s: Golden age; celebrities like Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jackie O stay.
- 1987: Richard Morse takes over management; RAM begins weekly shows.
- 2010: Survives the Port-au-Prince earthquake with minor damage.
- 2024: Closes to guests due to escalating gang violence.
- 6–7 July 2025: Destroyed by arson during a gang attack.
Location and getting there
Hotel Oloffson stood at the intersection of Rue Capois and Avenue Christophe in central Port-au-Prince, a short walk from the Champ de Mars and the National Palace. The neighborhood was once a popular tourist area, but as of 2025 it lies within territory heavily affected by gang activity. Travel to this specific address is not advised.
Our pick recommendation
For history enthusiasts: Read Graham Greene’s The Comedians to experience the hotel’s fictional afterlife. For those determined to visit Port-au-Prince, we recommend staying in safer alternative hotels verified by current travel platforms — always checking the latest security advice.
For culture seekers: The legacy of Hotel Oloffson lives on through recordings by RAM and the many books and articles that chronicle its story. No physical replacement exists.
Related reading: Red Lion Hotel Salisbury: Oldest Hotel History & Reviews · Madeley Court Hotel: History, Hauntings, and Closure
Frequently asked questions about Hotel Oloffson
Is Hotel Oloffson still open?
No. The hotel closed to guests in 2024 due to security concerns and was destroyed by fire on 6–7 July 2025. There is no plan to reopen.
What is the Hotel Oloffson about?
It was a 22-room gingerbread mansion that served as a presidential residence, U.S. Marine Corps hospital, and later a hotel. It became famous as the setting for Graham Greene’s novel The Comedians and as a venue for the band RAM.
Who is Richard Morse?
Richard Morse is a Haitian-American musician who owned and managed the Hotel Oloffson from 1987 until its destruction. He also led the roots band RAM, which performed weekly at the hotel.
Where is Richard Morse now?
After the fire, Morse and his family are safe but have not publicly disclosed their location. He posted about the destruction on social media.
How many rooms did Hotel Oloffson have?
It had 22 guest rooms, each uniquely decorated.
Why was Hotel Oloffson burned down?
Arson by the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, amid a surge of gang violence in Port-au-Prince, destroyed the hotel. The attack was reported by multiple news outlets and confirmed by the owners.