AI still recommends businesses that have permanently closed
A running, sourced record of confirmed-closed places that AI assistants keep putting in their top results.
As of August 31, 2026, TakeScout has identified 45 businesses across 25 destinations that AI assistants still recommend in their top three results despite being confirmed permanently closed with a citable source. Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar both still recommend Redmont Hotel in Alabama for “Best Boutique Hotels”.
Each entry below is a business a source confirms has closed for good, that at least two of Claude Sonnet 5, Gemini 3.6 Flash, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar placed in their top three answers for the same traveler question on their most recent check. Temporary and seasonal closures are excluded. How we check this.
- Redmont Hotel — Hotel in Alabama Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Boutique Hotels”.
“The Redmont Hotel closed its doors in August 2025.”
- Marx Bros Cafe — Restaurant in Alaska Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
“The Marx Bros. Cafe in Anchorage closed at the end of August 2024 after nearly 45 years in business.”
- Hot Springs — Experience in Colorado Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Romantic Hotels”.
“Tripadvisor reports that Hot Springs Adventures in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is permanently closed.”
- Ono Hawaiian Foods — Restaurant in Hawaii Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
“Honolulu Magazine reported that ‘Ono Hawaiian Foods’ was closing for good in the final week of August 2017. A listing also marks it as permanently closed.”
- Motel 6 — Hotel in Iowa Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“The Motel 6 at 2670 Dodge St, Dubuque, Iowa is marked “Permanently closed” by MapQuest.”
- Menton — Restaurant in Massachusetts Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
“Menton in Boston closed permanently in January 2024. Restaurant Business reported that Menton was “closing permanently,” and CBS Boston reported that Barbara Lynch closed the restaurant, citing high rent.”
- Tony's — Restaurant in Missouri Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Restaurants for Couples” (and 1 other question).
“Tony’s Restaurant in Clayton, Missouri, permanently closed after its final dinner service on February 15, 2025.”
- Marché du Vieux-Port — Place in Québec City Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Food Experiences” (and 1 other question).
“CBC reported that the Marché du Vieux-Port closed in June 2019, coinciding with vendors moving to the new Grand Marché. Radio-Canada likewise reported that it served its last customers on June 12, 2019.”
- HI Vancouver Central — Hotel in Vancouver Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“HI Canada’s official page states: “This hostel is permanently closed.””
- Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver — Hotel in Vancouver Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5, GPT-4o, and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Luxury Hotels”.
“The Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver, under the Shangri-La brand name, is no longer open or operating as a Shangri-La hotel; the property has been sold and is now operating as Hyatt Vancouver Downtown Alberni, with plans to become Park Hyatt Vancouver after renovation.”
- Barrio Café — Restaurant in Arizona Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
“Barrio Café in Phoenix permanently closed after serving its last customers on May 31, 2024.”
- Binkley’s Restaurant — Restaurant in Arizona Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
“Binkley’s Restaurant permanently closed after serving its last tasting menus in mid-August 2024; the location became The Larder & The Delta.”
- South on Main — Restaurant in Arkansas Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants”.
“Arkansas Times reported on January 2, 2023 that South on Main had stopped service, and a May 3, 2024 report stated that the former South on Main space had become The Busker and was being redeveloped as GiGi’s Lounge.”
- Beatrice & Woodsley — Restaurant in Colorado Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
“The Denver Post reports that Beatrice & Woodsley closed during the pandemic and never reopened; the former space is now occupied by La Forêt. Westword also reports that the owners announced its permanent closure in July 2020.”
- Days Inn — Hotel in Colorado Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“Days Inn by Wyndham Silverthorne is permanently closed; a Yelp listing states: “This place is PERMANENTLY CLOSED!” and reports that the property had been abandoned and closed for nearly a year.”
- Motel 6 — Hotel in Connecticut Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“The Motel 6 at 51 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon Rockville, Connecticut is listed as permanently closed.”
- Super 8 — Hotel in Connecticut Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“Super 8 by Wyndham Danbury is permanently closed.”
- Super 8 — Hotel in Indiana Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“Super 8 by Wyndham Mishawaka/South Bend Area is marked “Permanently closed” on MapQuest.”
- Django — Restaurant in Iowa Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
“Django’s official website states, “DJANGO IS NOW CLOSED,” and Business Record reports that the restaurant will permanently close, with its final day of service scheduled for March 14, 2026.”
- Super 8 — Hotel in Iowa Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“Super 8 by Wyndham Adair IA is permanently closed, according to MapQuest’s listing.”
- La Quinta Inn & Suites — Hotel in Kansas Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“A 2024 Kansas City Star article reports that the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Lenexa, Kansas, was a “shuttered” hotel and describes plans to purchase and repurpose it as a homeless shelter.”
- Story — Restaurant in Kansas Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants”.
“Story in Prairie Village, Kansas, has officially closed its doors. The Kansas City Star reported on January 28, 2026, that the restaurant announced its departure and that the space would not continue under the Story brand.”
- Comfort Inn — Hotel in Maryland Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“A concrete listing identifies Comfort Inn at 1570 Elkton Rd, Elkton, Maryland, as “Permanently closed.””
- Days Inn — Hotel in Minnesota Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“The Days Inn in Rochester, Minnesota closed in September, according to the Star Tribune; the article describes it as the former Hotel Carlton site.”
- Hampton Inn — Hotel in Minnesota Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“The Hampton Inn by Hilton Lakeville Minneapolis in Minnesota is listed as permanently closed by MapQuest.”
- Super 8 — Hotel in Minnesota Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“A MapQuest listing explicitly marks the Super 8 Motel at 9410 Baltimore St NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, as “Permanently closed.””
- Young Joni — Restaurant in Minnesota Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants”.
“Young Joni closed on September 12, 2025, according to its official website.”
- Chez Claudette — Restaurant in Montreal Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
“A current listing for Chez Claudette at 351 Avenue Laurier E, Montreal, marks its status as “Fermé” (Closed).”
- Hotel Le St-James — Hotel in Montreal Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Romantic Hotels”.
“Hotel Le St-James in Montreal permanently closed in 2022. La Presse reported on May 6, 2022, that the hotel had “fermé pour de bon” (closed for good), confirmed by the building’s owner.”
- Le Mousso — Restaurant in Montreal Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 1 other question).
“Le Mousso announced that it will serve its final guests on August 22, 2026, after which it will permanently close.”
- Le Westin Montreal — Hotel in Montreal Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Family Hotels”.
“MapQuest lists Le Westin Montreal as “Permanently closed.””
- Super 8 by Wyndham — Hotel in Nebraska Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“Super 8 by Wyndham Grand Island is permanently closed, according to MapQuest’s listing.”
- Adair Country Inn — Hotel in New Hampshire Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Boutique Hotels”.
“The Adair Country Inn & Restaurant has closed as of November 3rd.”
- HoDo Restaurant — Restaurant in North Dakota Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Fine-Dining Restaurants” (and 3 other questions).
“The HoDo lounge and restaurant areas closed in August 2020 and didn’t reopen as the COVID-19 pandemic ground on.”
- 21c Museum Hotel — Hotel in Oklahoma Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Boutique Hotels” (and 1 other question).
“MapQuest lists 21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City as “Permanently closed.””
- Fairouz Café — Restaurant in Ottawa Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants”.
“OpenTable lists Fairouz Café at 15 Clarence St, Ottawa as “permanently closed,” and Tripadvisor also labels the restaurant “CLOSED,” confirming it is no longer operating.”
- Play Food & Wine — Restaurant in Ottawa Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Local or Traditional Restaurants”.
“Play Food & Wine’s official website states, “Play is now closed. Thank you for 17 unforgettable years!””
- The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia — Hotel in Pennsylvania Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Luxury Hotels”.
“The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia is listed as permanently closed by MapQuest.”
- Chez Muffy — Restaurant in Québec City Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants”.
“Tripadvisor’s Québec listing explicitly labels Chez Muffy “FERMÉ” (closed) and identifies the restaurant at 10 Rue Saint-Antoine, Québec City.”
- Restaurant Initiale — Restaurant in Québec City Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Restaurants for Couples”.
“Restaurant Initiale announced that it would close permanently on September 28, 2019. Its official website states: “Depuis le 28 septembre dernier, le restaurant Initiale a fermé ses fours.””
- New York System — Restaurant in Rhode Island Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Food Experiences”.
“Baba’s Original New York System in Providence permanently closed after its final day of service on October 31, 2025.”
- HI Toronto Hostel — Hotel in Toronto Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Budget Hotels”.
“A Reddit discussion states that HI Toronto’s Church Street location “has shut down for good,” and identifies the closure as related to COVID-19 and the building’s owners leaving HI.”
- Ontario Science Centre — Attraction in Toronto Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o still recommend it for “Best Attractions for Families”.
“The Ontario Science Centre’s original location at 770 Don Mills Road permanently closed to visitors on June 21, 2024, due to deteriorating building infrastructure and roof-safety concerns.”
- Skwachàys Lodge — Hotel in Vancouver Permanently closed
Claude Sonnet 5 and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Boutique Hotels”.
“The Globe and Mail reported on November 15, 2025, that Skwachàys Lodge was halting hotel operations and being fully repurposed as supportive housing; the article said reservations for December and later were unavailable.”
- Tacofino — Restaurant in Vancouver Permanently closed
GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar still recommend it for “Best Budget-Friendly Restaurants”.
“Tacofino's Gastown location at 15 W Cordova Street in Vancouver permanently closed after its final day of business on August 18, 2024.”
Why this happens
AI assistants are trained on data with a cutoff, and even when they search the web they don't reliably re-check whether a specific restaurant or hotel is still operating. A place that was a safe recommendation two years ago can stay in the model's top answers long after it has closed. We only list a business here when a source explicitly confirms a permanent closure and two or more models still recommend it — a single model's stale answer, or an unsourced claim, doesn't qualify.
Method
TakeScout repeatedly asks ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity the kinds of questions travelers ask, and extracts the specific places each answer recommends. Highly-recommended places are then re-checked against citable sources for closures. This report cross-references the two: confirmed permanent closures against the most recent answer from each model. Full methodology.
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