The new boutique hotel in Évora is a Noble House

The former Casa dos Condes de Lousã, in the historical center of Évora, is being restored and transformed into a "luxury boutique hotel" and it will open in June.

Source: Fugas - PÚBLICO

The historical center of Évora

The building, which dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, was purchased by Unlock Boutique Hotels and has been restored since November 2016 to form The Noble House. Évora's new luxury boutique hotel is 200 meters from the city's Cathedral, right in the heart of the historic center, classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The project for the renovation of the former Casa dos Condes de Lousã is in charge of the architect Fernando Coelho, author of several reference projects, such as the Cella Bar on the island of Pico (Azores), distinguished by ArchDaily as Building of the Year 2016. 

In addition to "one of the largest suites of the district", which integrates part of the city's Roman wall into one of the walls, the new housing unit still preserves other features of the historic building, such as the 18th century tiles, the emblazoned portal, the vaulted ceilings. Some "frescões" (which cover the walls of several rooms), the garden or the well used formerly for homemade water consumption.

The landscape of Alentejo region 

There’s a new 5 star resort in Serra de Monchique

Fully dedicated to the well-being of body and soul, the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa, a new five-star resort located in Monchique, Algarve, has just opened.

The resort is located in Serra de Monchique and features 185 luxury suites, Spa, four restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, gym, kids club, cinema, conference rooms and a wide array of outdoor activities.

The new resort is a 60 minutes’ drive away from Faro International Airport, 15 minutes from the beaches in the region of Portimão, 30 minutes from the Costa Vicentina and 20 minutes from the nearest golf course.

Source: Welcome

Twelve national spas awarded Gold at the World Luxury Spa Awards

World Luxury Spa Awards 2016 awarded 12 Portuguese spas. Sayanna Wellness at EPIC SANA Algarve was the most distinguished one, winning in the categories "Global Winner - Luxury Fitness Spa" and "Luxury Resort Spa - Portugal" as well as the Grand Prix "Overall Global Winner".

Conrad Algarve was also a Global Winner, but as "Luxury Country Spa". As for the European winners, the prizes went to CitySpa Lisbon ("Luxury Day Spa"), Vidago Palace Thermal Spa ("Luxury Mineral Springs Spa") and Gspa at Altis Grand Hotel ("Luxury Emerging Spa"). The latter won as well the trophy for Portugal's best "Luxury Fitness Spa".

At the national level were also prized the Ayurveda cure center by Birgit Moukom ("Best Spa Manager"), the Sayanna Wellness at Myriad by SANA Hotels ("Luxury Boutique Spa" and "Luxury Urban Escape"), the Spirito Spa of Sheraton Lisboa ("Luxury Day Spa"), the Magic Spa of Pestana Hotel and Casino ("Luxury Destination Spa"), the spa at the Porto Bay Liberdade ("Luxury Emerging Spa"), the Bspa by Karin Herzog at Altis Belém ("Luxury Hotel Spa") and the Stone Spa ("Luxury Wellness Spa").

World Luxury Spa Awards are given on the basis of the quality of the facilities and of the service provided by the hotel, the size of the property not being given any weight in the stages of nomination and voting. Among its objectives are the celebration of service excellence, encouragement of competitiveness in the luxury hotel industry and drawing attention to the value and importance of providing guests with a quality service.

Source: Welcome

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - ELEVEN

This modern Michellin starred restaurant is located over a hilltop on Parque Eduardo VII, which gives the place a certain calmness in the middle of the city's buzz. Up there you are surprised with one of the most  fantastic views over Lisbon, framed by the gardens. On the outside, the building shows minimal and straight lines, using organic elements as iron, wood and stones, with great wide windows over the Tagus River. The interior decoration take on traditional elements such as cork, xyst and wood to give it a modern elegant switch exuding timeless chicness.

The restaurant’s Kitchen is runned by chef Joachim Koerper, a german chef that made Lisbon his home. The restaurant’s signature dishes are cooked with high quality and local seasonal ingredients, presenting a new menu each Season. The food is as cosmopolitan as the location it is served, with modern mediterranean interpretation of flavours. On the restaurant’s terrace, in the summertime, it is possible to enjoy a nice time on its Bistro Bar.

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - TAVARES

The oldest restaurant in Lisbon and one of the oldest in the world, opened in 1784 and since then Tavares had closed and re-opened several times. This restaurant is full of history and charisma. An icon of the Portuguese romanticism from XIX century immortalized by the literary works of Camilo Castelo Branco and Eça de Queirós.

With a refined atmosphere, it is decorated with golden colors, Venetian mirrors and tasteful chandeliers. Here you will be dinning where great names from Portugal’s political, literary and high-society circles had unforgettable meals. 

TOP 10 LUXURY RESTAURANTS IN LISBON - VALLE FLÔR

Valle Flôr is considered the most luxurious and high class dining experience to have in the city of Lisbon. The restaurant is located in the Pestana Palace, in one of Lisbon’s seven hills, it was built in the 19^th century for the Marquis of Valle Flôr.

It is in itself an attraction for the many tourists that come nearby to visit the Belém neighborhood. The lavishing Louis XV inspired décor will instantly leave you breathless.

There is a dress-code, though, no shorts, sneakers or sweats are allowed and gentlemen should wear a jacket for dinnertime.