A distinct sense of place is one of the factors that separates a good hotel from a great one.
That’s why travelers craving unique hotels that showcase the authentic identity of a destination will want to take note of Vignette Collection, the group of design- and experience-driven luxury properties from IHG Hotels & Resorts. Each property feels intimate and distinct, with a focus on the history of the property and the destination’s unique blend of location, history, culture, and architecture. With hotels throughout Asia and the Middle East, the Vignette Collection is expanding. In 2023, the group opened its first location in Europe, in Porto, Portugal, then a second Portuguese property in Lisbon.
Each Vignette Collection hotel invites guests to participate in what they call a “Memorable Ritual,” a complimentary experience built around local history and culture. At Casa da Companhia in Porto — the former headquarters of the famous Real Companhia Velha Port company — guests can learn about the tradition of “fire opening” a bottle of Port while enjoying a glass of the fortified wine and chocolate truffles.
At Convent Square Lisbon, a 13th-century Dominican convent, guests are invited to create their own tea blend from herbs and leaves for their ritual. It’s a nod both to the ancient healing practices of the Dominican monks who once lived there, and to Portugal’s role in the history of the tea trade. (Portuguese priests and merchants are credited with bringing tea from China to Europe during the 1600’s, and Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza introduced Great Britain to tea when she married Charles II in 1662.)
Read on to learn more about what gives each of these two luxury new hotels in Portugal such a distinctive and memorable sense of place.
Convent Square Lisbon
Location
The historic former convent is ideally located in the heart of the Baixa, Lisbon's oldest neighborhood. The Praça de Figueira is just steps away, and the Rossio train station is around the corner, making it easy to get around the city.
History
The property is a lovingly restored former Dominican convent built in 1242. The cloister, which is open to the sky, is the center of the property in every way, with fire pits, music, lounge chairs and tables. It’s a beautiful and tranquil space that’s perfect for sipping coffee or wine or planning the day’s excursions while you admire the neighboring São Domingos church, which was built during the same period as the convent and has miraculously survived earthquakes and fires.
Architecture and Decór
Preserving as many of the original 13th-century designs and details was the most important priority during the extensive renovation required to make the property habitable after decades
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Anna Payne holds more than 15 years’ experience in the luxury and hospitality sectors; having achieved success with Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Firmdale Hotels, where she worked across multiple markets and hotel openings in London and New York.