Viceroy’s new Portugal property set to herald ‘new era’ for brand

A new property from Viceroy Hotels & Resorts in Portugal is set to herald a “new era” for the luxury hotel brand.

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve will open this October within premium sustainable real estate development Ombria, north of Loulé and 30 minutes from Faro airport and the coast.

A total of 141 guest rooms, suites and residences will be set across 24 accommodation buildings, giving the resort the appearance of a small village.

All guest rooms and suites will offer a mix of terraces, pools, balconies and jacuzzies, as well as small kitchens, pantries and dressing spaces.

The architecture and design will be Portuguese-inspired, combining local craftsmanship with contemporary elements.

The resort will launch with six dining outlets, each of which will utilise produce either grown on-site in the property’s gardens and orchards or sourced locally.

Venues are set to include Portuguese bakery Café Central; Bellvino, specialising in wine, charcuterie, cheese and olive oil; all-day dining restaurant Ombria Kitchen; Solalua, which will offer “creative and innovative” dishes and cocktails; clubhouse eatery Casa & Fora; and pool bar Salpico.

The resort will also house four swimming pools, a kids’ club, and extensive indoor and outdoor event space. Golf enthusiasts will benefit from an 18-hole course designed by Jorge Santana da Silva, complete with a clubhouse that will serve as a hub for local golfers.

A spa equipped with a thermal pool, eight treatment rooms and beauty outlets such as a hairdresser and barber will open in early 2025.

The brand said the property would “tell a new story for Viceroy as it further expands in Europe and sets its sights on a fresh tone and approach to the guest experience globally”.

Creating “rich” experiences will be a focal point for the repositioned brand, it said, adding that the resort’s rural setting would help guests “discover ‘the other side’ of the Algarve” and experience “a deeper connection to the land and culture of the region”.

All guest experiences, such as horseback riding and beekeeping, will be led by locals whose families have lived in the area for generations.

Other experiences will include wine and olive oil tastings, birdwatching, hiking and cycling, boat trips, bread-making and pottery classes.

The resort will also be committed to sustainability, with a plant nursery ensuring the development and growth of local species, and solar and geothermal energy and bioclimatic architecture present throughout the resort. The property has also planted more than 700 oak trees and restored 1,800 linear metres of river habitat.

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.”

Ombria chief executive Patrick Freeman added: "Ombria is an authentic celebration of Portugal and the Algarve where local culture, history, design, and natural beauty are what define us. 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.”

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve will be open year-round with rates starting from £450 for a Deluxe King Room on a B&B basis.

Photo credit: Letizia Cigliutti