Prepositional phrases

Question

I just read that the definite article MUST contract if followed by a masculine article, but see that "la boulangerie est près DE l'hôtel" is correct.  Shouldn't it be "la boulangerie est prés DU l'hôtel"?

Accepted Answer

Amy,
have a look at these 2 links that cover the contraction of articles. 
“ de l’…” never contracts, regardless of whether it introduces a masculine or feminine noun. Neither does “ à l’… “ contract.  
( Neither “ du l’… “ as written in your answer, nor “ au l’…. “ can exist in French, as this would effectively reflect double use of the definite article before the noun ).
 https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/glossary/article-type/french-articles-contract-in-some-instances 
https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/contractions-of-articles-a-le-au-a-les-aux-de-le-du-de-les-des