02/07/2024
NOVO HOTEL NA FIGUEIRA DA FOZ
The Vila Galé Collection Figueira da Foz hotel was opened on 22 June at a ceremony attended by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado, the mayor of Figueira da Foz, Pedro Santana Lopes, the Vila Galé ambassadors Marcantonio Del Carlo, Pedro Couceiro and Fernando Alvim, and the artist Fernando Pereira, among other guests.
Located on the emblematic waterfront and next to the beach that is famous for its endless stretches of sand, the Vila Galé Collection Figueira da Foz has breathed new life into a historic building that stands out for its 50s post-modernist aesthetic. Signed by architect Inácio Peres Fernandes, it features artistic pieces by masters José de Molina Sanchez and Tomás de Melo and sculptures by Martins Correia.
First opened in June 1953 as the Grande Hotel da Figueira, this major symbol of Figueira da Foz - which many say resembles a ship, with its bridge and very distinctive portholes - has been classified as a building of public interest since 2002.
"This is our 32nd hotel in Portugal and it's yet another project in which we are putting into practice one of Vila Galé's goals, that of enhancing heritage and giving new life to historic, dilapidated properties in areas with great potential, but lacking in image improvement and marketing and commercial effort, which gives us great pleasure. Due to its privileged location, its architecture and the charm of the interior and exterior, where we have kept all the relevant original features, we believe that the Vila Galé Collection Figueira da Foz reinforces our portfolio of differentiated units, with a high standard of quality", emphasises the president and founder of Vila Galé, Jorge Rebelo de Almeida.
Owned by Pontegadea, a real estate company owned by the founder of Inditex, Amancio Ortega, the hotel that is now managed by Vila Galé has had a thorough remodelling of the rooms and common areas, an additional à la carte restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a Satsanga spa, and the various existing murals and pieces of art have been restored.
