Canada’s Mercan Group has invested €56 mln to open the first Renaissance Hotels in Portugal.
Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 hotel brands, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel is located in the picturesque Lapa district of the city of Porto, next to the Lapa Church.
The hotel was designed by Visioarq Arquitetos, with interior design by Broadway Malyan.
It includes 163 rooms, a restaurant, two bars (one on the rooftop), a panoramic heated pool on the fifth floor, a gym and a 544 m2 congress centre for 600 people.
The four suites, mostly located on the higher floors of the hotel, offer a spacious living area, dedicated workspace, and private balcony.
Jordi Vilanova, president of Mercan Properties, said: ‘The Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel is, without a doubt, one of the investments that make us most proud, as it fully demonstrates Mercan's ability to generate positive and direct contributions to the cities where we invest. This project is the result of a foreign investment of €56 mln and it provides to the historic city of Porto, and especially the Lapa area, a new atmosphere, through the creation of a new and rehabilitated green space, which can be used by all citizens of the city of Porto. The Mercan group rehabilitated and expanded a total of 3000 m2 of the city's road infrastructure, namely Rua de Cervantes and Rua Alves Redol.’
Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, VP, premium & select brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, added: ‘Porto has always been a spirited destination steeped in history and tradition. We are thrilled to bring Renaissance Hotels to this dynamic city. With the brand’s savvy Navigators and entertaining Evening Bar Rituals, Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel opens a gateway for curious travellers to Porto’s hilly cobblestone streets and grand architectural monuments through a local frame of mind.’
Filipe Silva, president of AHM - Ace Hospitality Management, responsible for managing the space, commented: ‘The Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel will revolutionize the hotel offer in the center of Porto, as it has characteristics that will appeal to various types of customers. The hotel's facilities are ideal to receive travelers looking for fashionable destinations and who like, for that, to stay in hotels close to the local culture. On the other hand, due to the capacity of our rooms, we have excellent conditions to host large events.’
Mercan Properties plans to add 78 rooms in a second phase, in an additional investment estimated at €31.5 mln.
The group has a portfolio of 27 hotel projects in Portugal, at different stages of development, including in Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos, Lisbon, Amarante, Santiago do Cacém, Évora, Beja and Algarve.
