Félix Benítez

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Félix Benítez (March 27, 1886–November 2, 1975) was the Puerto Rican engineer who designed the Normandie Hotel, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Born in Vieques, Benítez met Lucienne Dhotelle, know as la Môme Moineau while onboard the French ocean liner SS Normandie. The couple fell in love and soon married.

Benítez had fond memories of the liner and decided to surprise his wife with the construction of a yacht as a replica of the majestic ship. Moineau wasn't satisfied and Benítez decided then to design and construct a hotel with the form of a great transatlantic vessel. The hotel began construction in 1938. He named the hotel "Normandie" in honor of the French liner and presented it as a gift to his beloved wife and to the people of Puerto Rico. The hotel opened in 1942.

[edit] References

"LA MÔME MOINEAU" by Michel Ferracci-Porri 380 pages, published in November 2006 by Editions Normant is the first biography of Félix and Moineau Benitez.