The flagship of hotels of Haiti, it was classified four-star hotel. The hotel accommodated the international jet-set as well as politicians and businessmen from around the world. The former US President Bill Clinton, the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, and the actor Brad Pitt had stayed there among others. On 12 January 2010, at 4:53 pm, a 7.0M earthquake shook Haiti. The 45-second shock-wave caused the collapse of the hotel and many other landmarks. The government of Haiti estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. In just a few minutes, the hotel became a heap of white stone and twisted steel wires causing an estimated 200 of 300 guests to be reported missing the day after the collapse.