Emerging from the pandemic bolstered in tourism numbers, Portugal has seen a significant resurgence in visitors, particularly from the US. But while cities like Porto and Lisbon continue to captivate travelers with their rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmospheres, global hotel brand Viceroy will instead offer tourists a lesser-seen side of the oldest nation in Europe.
Slated to open October 1, 2024, Viceroy at Ombria Algarve is set to be a peaceful and rural retreat, found just north of the city of Loulé. The almost 13-acre site will offer 141 rooms including guest rooms, suites and residences, with far-reaching 360-degree views of the rugged Algarve hills and open plains. Viceroy at Ombria Algarve will also feature eight restaurants and bars, four swimming pools and an 18-hole golf course, while a holistic-focused Spa by Viceroy will open in early 2025.
It’s the brand’s second hotel on the continent – Viceroy Kopaonik Mountain Resort in Serbia opened in 2021 – marking clear Vicoroy’s ambition for an expansion into Europe, following its success in North American destinations like Los Cabos and Riviera Maya in Mexico, Chicago and Washington, D.C, just to name a few.
Upon the announcement, Viceroy’s president of development, Mark Keiser, said: “Viceroy at Ombria Algarve represents a new chapter for our brand, leading the portfolio with a refreshed perspective on guest experiences – it is wonderful to see our vision for the brand begin to come to life in Portugal.
“As we expand our presence in Europe with this new approach, our goal is to build a strong connection between our guests and the destinations they are exploring.”
Located just 30 minutes from Faro airport and the Atlantic coast, the peaceful resort of Viceroy at Ombria Algarve will serve as a showcase for this under-the-radar destination in southern Portugal’s creative heart. Designers WATG, Lisbon-based architect Promontorio and Wimberly Interiors strove to honor the history and culture of authentic Portuguese style in the architecture and interiors of Viceroy at Ombria Algarve.
Accommodation is set over 24 varying buildings and structures, creating this village-like feeling, while local craftsmanship is seamlessly blended with more contemporary accents, creating a peaceful, cultural and sensitively designed resort.
There will be six dining outlets, with each site using produce grown on-site in Viceroy at Ombria Algarve’s expansive gardens and orchards. Ombria Kitchen, the hotel’s all-day dining location, will serve elevated dishes of traditional Portuguese cuisine, meanwhile, guests can swing by the charming Portuguese bakery, Café Central, in the heart of Viceroy at Ombria Algarve’s village, to pick up sweet treats like pastel de nata and light meals from its wood-fired oven.
Cultural activities and experiences similarly invite guests at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve to discover the allure of the Algarve, offering cooking classes, wild horseback riding, pottery classes, and more, each led by local families.
“Ombria is an authentic celebration of Portugal and the Algarve where local culture, history, design, and natural beauty are what define us,” said Ombria CEO, Patrick Freeman. “Viceroy and their focus on authenticity and guest experience is the perfect partner to introduce our first guests and homeowners to everything that makes Viceroy at Ombria Algarve unforgettable.”
viceroyhotelsandresorts/ombria-algarve
