Vila Galé Group Announces Five New Hotel Construction Projects in Portugal
The Portuguese hotel group Vila Galé has formally announced a significant expansion initiative, confirming the development of nine new hotel properties slated for completion by 2027. Five of these construction projects are located in Portugal, with a strategic focus on the Lisbon metropolitan area and other key regions. The company's announcement details the upcoming inaugurations of the Vila Galé Paço Real de Caxias in Oeiras and the Palácio Almada Carvalhais in the Conde Barão area of Lisbon. Additional projects include the Vila Galé Miranda do Douro, Vila Galé Penacova, and Vila Galé Tejo at Quinta da Cardiga. The development timeline indicates that these new hotels are expected to become operational between 2026 and 2027. This expansion plan will increase the group’s total portfolio to 61 hotels and 12,764 rooms. The remaining four projects are planned for development in Brazil.
Jorge Rebelo de Almeida, the founder and president of the Vila Galé group, stated that the projects are designed to integrate tourism with local history and environmental considerations. “We are investing in projects that promote tourism, uniting history, culture, and sustainability. The objective is to offer always a differentiating experience,” Rebelo de Almeida commented on the company's strategy. The new developments will involve a combination of rehabilitating historic buildings and constructing new all-inclusive resorts from the ground up. This dual approach allows the company to preserve architectural heritage while also delivering modern hospitality facilities. The investment reflects a broader trend of developing underutilized historic assets for new commercial purposes, particularly within the tourism sector.
The announcement comes after the group faced regulatory hurdles with its recent opening of the Vila Galé Casa D’Elvas in a UNESCO-protected area. Speaking to the press about the challenges, Rebelo de Almeida noted the complexities of developing historic sites. “We have done so much to recover heritage in the interior and, instead of being celebrated for the work we are doing, we are defamed and insulted by those who do nothing and should be doing something,” he remarked to the newspaper “Expresso.” The successful resolution of these issues and the continuation of the expansion plan signal the group's commitment to navigating Portugal's regulatory environment to bring new projects to fruition. The expansion is expected to create new jobs and stimulate local economies in the areas where the hotels are being built.
The project in Oeiras, the Vila Galé Paço Real de Caxias, is particularly noteworthy for its location within the Lisbon metropolitan area, a region experiencing high demand for both tourist and residential properties. Similarly, the Palácio Almada Carvalhais in Conde Barão, Lisbon, represents a significant investment in the capital's city center. These developments are part of a larger trend of private investment flowing into Portugal's hospitality sector, driven by the country's strong tourism growth. The new hotels will cater to a range of market segments, from business travelers to leisure tourists, further diversifying the accommodation offerings in their respective locations. The company has not disclosed the specific investment figures for each individual project, but the overall expansion represents a substantial capital commitment over the next three years.
Monitor new development opportunities at realestate-lisbon.com.
