Celebrating its centenary this year, the 70 room and suite Vidago Palace will open in August , following a soft opening in July to reclaim its place as one of Europe’s great historical resorts. 

Located within a 250-acre estate an hour from Porto, Vidago Palace has been extensively renovated and restored under the direction of Grace Leo.  Embracing its Belle Epoque heritage, Vidago Palace is a majestic Portuguese country house with all the services of a world class luxury hotel. 

The Portuguese company UNICER, owners of the Vidago Estate (and the eponymous mineral water brand) commissioned GLA Hotels to oversee the renovation, reopening and management of the hotel.  The brief was two-fold: to restore Vidago Palace to its former glory and to create a fitting emblem for Vidago mineral water, the source of which lies within the estate. 

Grace Leo charged renowned Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira with the restoration of the main building and Club House.  Siza also conceived the modern extension at the back of the main building: the contemporary design is in striking contrast but sympathetic to the classical style of the Palace. Clean, fresh lines and marble tiles are set against sleek white finishes.

On entering the Palace, guests are confronted with a sweeping staircase and a variety of salons leading off on either side with high ceilings, stucco artwork and vistas out onto the park through large floor-to ceiling windows. 

The rooms have been redecorated by Bastidor, the same interior designers that Grace Leo commissioned for the Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon.  There are four dominant colour themes inspired by the nature of the region; parquet floors, “fauna themed” fabrics, wallpaper and custom-made furniture create a sense of place and intimacy. The result is described as “a palace in a forest.”

The Spa building is set amongst 40 acres of fragrant cedar, pine and holly.  Drawing on the therapeutic and curative water collected from the marble wells in the grounds, the Spa offers 20 treatment rooms including five hydro rooms and couple suites, steam room, sauna, and fully-equipped gym.  There is also an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, children’s pool, and vitality pool. 

Aromatherapy Associates and MCCM Medical Cosmetics will be amongst the product houses represented.  Founded by a Portuguese couple, The MCCM range has until now only been available in clinics and specialises in non-invasive anti-ageing and cellulite treatments.

Amongst Vidago Palace’s other facilities are five restaurants and four bars.  There is also an 18-hole golf course (Back tee 6327m Par 72), Pro Shop and Golf Academy with a driving range. 

http://www.glahotels.com/hotel/vidago_palace_portugal/