A former 19th-century mansion, better known locally as the Palácio do Dr. Sampaio or the Palacete das Estátuas, is set to reopen as a luxury hotel on 23 May, following an investment of more than two million euros. The new hotel, now named Portalegre Palace, stands in the centre of this Alentejo city. The project was developed by businessman Dr. Hélder Martins and his family, with the interior decoration signed by ESPAÇO LIBRIS and carried out by decorator Paulo Cruz and interior designer Carolina Vala.
A hotel designed for families and leisure, with 11 rooms, nine of them suites. Each room represents one of the traditional convent sweets made in the on-site bakery. "The entire lower floor was used to create a convent sweets patisserie and a wine cellar, with the aim of showcasing local produce," highlighted interior designer Carolina Vala.
"Our starting point for the decoration was respect for the identity of this noble building. In carrying out this project, ESPAÇO LIBRIS set out to evoke a 19th-century ambience, with light, airy rooms created through a careful choice of materials and wall colours, and a classic style brought up to date with refined furniture in understated lines," stressed ESPAÇO LIBRIS decorator Paulo Cruz.
The 19th-century blue azulejo tiles have been kept in the corridors, and the spacious dining hall is another wonderful space, where "breakfasts with a difference" will be served.
Outside, guests are treated to a 600-square-metre courtyard with multi-purpose areas where meals can also be served. There is also a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, spa, food and wine experiences and a small oratory.
A wonderfully complete place to spend a few days with the family. As businessman Dr. Hélder Martins puts it, "what we have here is a Ferrari, first of all in terms of investment, but also in terms of architectural beauty."
"To complement the classic identity found in the ceilings with rosettes and cornices, the tiles on the walls, the gilded carvings, the tapestries and so on, ESPAÇO LIBRIS chose dark-toned furniture with gold accents, beds with imposing headboards that set off the generous size of the paintings, tall ornate skirting boards, crystal chandeliers and wall lights.
The Salão Nobre (Grand Salon) is one of the stars of this project, retaining some of its original features: the blue walls, a 19th-century tapestry, gilt-carved mirrors and century-old books that enrich the decoration and bring different eras together in one space. As well as preserving its magnificent ceiling, enhanced by a large chandelier, this salon has several windows offering a privileged view over the entire outdoor leisure area," notes interior designer Carolina Vala.
