Hilton has unveiled its new hotel in Porto, Hilton Porto Gaia, located in Vila Nova de Gaia. The 194-room former port warehouse is the latest addition to the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio.
The opening comes following a franchise agreement with Sabersal – Promocao Turistica e Imobiliaria. A €40M development project preserved the property’s classic shape and structure, whilst substantial refurbishments took place influenced by the building’s unique character. Drawing on Porto-Gaia’s rich heritage, the interior of the hotel has been styled by the award-winning Portuguese designer Nini de Andrade Silva to offer contemporary comfort and sophisticated design throughout the eight floors and 32,000sq m. The hotel’s rooms have also been designed with the building’s history in mind, and many offer excellent views of the Douro River and the historic centre of Porto-Gaia.
With a range of drinking and dining options, guests can enjoy the hotel’s two bars and restaurant, the latter of which is headed by celebrated chef Hugo Portela. Portela takes his inspiration from authentic local cuisine, interpreted with a modern and contemporary twist using locally sourced ingredients. The building’s two bars are an extension of this concept, with areas dedicated to artisan coffee prepared by specialist baristas and to the art of mixology, with signature cocktails that can be enjoyed with a panoramic view over the banks of the Douro River.
The hotel’s wellness centre, spread over 1,100sq m, emphasises ‘slow beauty’, a holistic approach to the body, mind, and spirit. Guests can relax in dedicated rest areas and take advantage of the heated indoor pool, which references the building’s port wine history with its garnet-toned design. The space also hosts a dynamic fitness centre, with a fully equipped gym open to the public, and a stylish studio ideal for the practice of yoga, pilates and clinical pilates.
