IHG Hotels and Resorts has premiered its Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants brand in Portugal, with the signing of Kimpton Algarve São Rafael Atlántico. This addition reinforces the strength of the Kimpton brand as part of IHG’s Luxury and Lifestyle offering in Europe, where it currently operates 93 hotels in this segment and a further 57 under development.
Vice president of development for Europe, Willemijn Geels, said that it was a milestone to be able to sign the first Kimpton property in Portugal.
“This signing shows the confidence that owners have in our Luxury and lifestyle expertise, market knowledge and enterprise, as well as the appetite that guests have for the Kimpton brand. It promises to be a stunning hotel, and we look forward to welcoming our first guests in 2025,” said Geels.
Geels added that the company’s attention had been focused on building its presence in Portugal, especially in the luxury and lifestyle segment (most notably its Vignette Collection hotels in Lisbon and Porto).
Signed under a franchise agreement with Highgate Portugal, the hotel is expected to open in 2025, offering 149 guest rooms, more than 1,300 m2 of meeting space and multiple restaurants and bars. The hotel will also offer a rounded wellness experience, with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and a full-service spa. The interior design concept takes its inspiration from the area’s natural and cultural surroundings, including vibrant orange groves, azueljos (tin-glazed tilework) and ceramics.
CEO of Highgate Portugal, Alexandre Solleiro, said that the company was proud to be able to open the first Kimpton Hotel in one of the country’s most popular tourist locations.
“We’ve seen the success of the brand across Europe in countries like Spain, France, Netherlands and the UK, and we think this hotel will be a perfect addition to the portfolio. We are delighted to work together to realise the full potential of this property and show our continued investment in the local area,” said Solleiro.
The southernmost area of the country, the Algarve is a major Portuguese tourist destination thanks to its sunny climate, world-renowned beaches and natural beauty. The beachfront hotel is located steps from Sao Rafael beach, one of the top ten beaches in the Algarve framed by limestone cliffs, and a short distance from Albufeira - a lively and historic resort town on the coastline with whitewashed houses, 18th-century churches, shops and bars.
