The Ducor Hotel: A Symbol of Liberia's Past and Potential

On my first full day in Liberia I was given a tour of Monrovia by John Hummel, the Country Director of the Carter Center. As we drove around, taking in the sights and sounds that the city has to offer, my general impression was that Liberia is really beginning to get back on its feet after so many years of hardship. A lot of renovation is now taking place and the city had a real buzz as we drove through it.

Eventually, we ended up at the Ducor Palace Hotel. Now a derelict building, the Ducor is more a symbol of Liberia’s troubled times than the thriving 5 star luxury hotel it once was. It was the first hotel constructed in Liberia and used to boast lavish facilities, including 300 rooms, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a roof-top bar.




We left our vehicle and with permission from the officials who were guarding the building, we entered and ascended to the top. As we climbed the stairs, it became clear just how badly the building had been damaged: it felt as though the war had torn its way into every room; no wall, corner, or ceiling was left unscarred. To my mind, the hotel felt almost haunted and I was left only to imagine what had taken place to reduce it to such a state.

As we reached the top of the hotel, my eyes squinted from the sudden brightness. As my eyes began to acclimatise, the most spectacular view was revealed. The dereliction of the building was overwhelmed by a stunning vision of Monrovia. I could even imagine the wealthy clientele that used to reside at the hotel sipping cocktails whilst gazing down on Monrovia from above.

The clash between the darkness of the building and the brightness of the panorama in many ways sums up Liberia: fighting to move forward but still gripped by its past. As I stood captivated by Monrovia's beauty, I recalled the vast potential that the country possesses. For one, Liberia is rich in timber, diamonds, gold, iron ore and has extensive rubber plantations. But also, it became clear that, provided it continued on its road to recovery, Liberia could have a booming tourism industry.
As we descended the stairs of the Ducor to return to our vehicle, my mind turned to the work that I would soon be carrying out over the coming months. My brief tour of Monrovia had left me feeling extremely motivated to help Liberia realise some of its potential, even if I could only do so in a small way.