Kimpton Algarve São Rafael Atlántico was inked under a franchise agreement with Highgate Portugal, and is expected to open in Q3 2025.
Vibrant design
Located steps from Sao Rafael beach, the hotel will offer 149 guestrooms, more than 1,300 sq m of meeting space and multiple restaurants and bars. Additionally, the property will boast a rounded wellness experience, with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and a full-service spa.
The interior design concept takes its inspiration from the area’s natural and cultural surroundings, including orange groves, azueljos (tin-glazed tileworks) and ceramics.
Luxury and lifestyle confidence
Willemijn Geels, VP development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “What a milestone to be able to sign our first Kimpton property in Portugal. We have focused on building our presence in the country, especially in the luxury and lifestyle segment with our recently opened first Vignette Collection hotels in Lisbon and Porto which complement our three existing InterContinental properties and a Six Senses in Douro Valley.
“This signing shows the confidence that owners have in our luxury and lifestyle expertise, market knowledge and enterprise, as well as the appetite that guests have for the Kimpton brand. It promises to be a stunning hotel and we look forward to welcoming our first guests in 2025.”
Perfect addition
Alexandre Solleiro, CEO of Highgate Portugal added: “We are proud to bring the first Kimpton hotel to one of Portugal’s most popular tourist destinations together with IHG Hotels & Resorts.
“We’ve seen the success of the brand across Europe in countries like Spain, France, Netherlands and the UK, and we think this hotel will be a perfect addition to the portfolio. We are delighted to work together to realise the full potential of this property and show our continued investment in the local area.”
Luxury lift
This signing reinforces the Kimpton line as part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle offering in Europe, where it currently operates 93 hotels in this segment and a further 57 under development. The brand’s regional pipeline includes the 178-key Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella, due in Spain in 2026; Kimpton Budapest, delivering 127 keys to the Hungarian capital in Q2 2024; and the 155-room Kimpton Four Frankfurt, arriving in the western German city in Q1 2025.
IHG operates 19 open hotels across six brands in Portugal, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. In Iberia, IHG has 66 open hotels and a pipeline of 26 properties.
