Grupo Arliz and The Lince Hotels debut in the luxury hotel segment with The Lince Santa Clara Historic Hotel
The Lince Hotels, the Grupo Arliz’s hotel chain, has just opened The Lince Santa Clara Historic Hotel, in Vila do Conde, marking its entry into the luxury segment. This new hotel, located in the historic Monastery of Santa Clara, combines the richness of the historical legacy with contemporary comfort, providing a unique experience for its guests.
Designed by renowned architect Carvalho Araújo, the hotel maintains the imposing original facades, including the central pediment with the royal coat of arms and the sculpture of Santa Clara. The interior was decorated by Vilaça Interiores, preserving the spirit of the place with a touch of modern elegance. The 87 rooms and 11 suites offer panoramic views of the sea or river, while the attic rooms stand out with their sloped ceilings and original wooden beams.
Guests and visitors have several gastronomic options available. The Mosteiro restaurant, led by Júlia Oliveira, focuses on traditional Portuguese cuisine with dishes that evoke family memories, such as Cabrito Assado and Polvo à Lagareiro. The Oculto restaurant, headed by Vítor Matos, a chef who has already collected two Michelin Stars, presents haute cuisine cuisine, based on fish and seafood, complemented by a menu prepared with seasonal and regional ingredients.
Furthermore, the hotel offers a sophisticated bar, Abadessa, located in the monastery cloisters, and Arcos Bar, close to the infinity pool, which serves cocktails and light meals.
The hotel unit also has a pleasant spa where, in addition to the architecture that alludes to the ancient Roman baths, products from the Sisley brand are used, highlighting their quality and exclusivity. The Aqueduto Wellness & Spa provides an environment of serenity with a variety of treatments and an indoor pool with hydrotherapy.
In this hotel, nothing was left to chance. The employees’ uniforms, designed by Micaela Oliveira, took into account several factors related to the history of the Monastery of Santa Clara, the Order of the Poor Clares, the Hotel’s unique environment and its visual identity.
Remember that the history of the building dates back to 1318, when it was founded as a monastery. After the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the monastery had several uses, including serving as a prison, until it was abandoned. In 2018, through the Revive program, the Grupo Arliz won the concession to explore the space for 50 years, investing around 18 million euros in its renovation.
This is the fourth opening of The Lince Hotels group since its existence and the second in 2024. After the hotels The Lince Azores and The Lince Nordeste, located on the Island of São Miguel, in the Azores, followed by the acquisition of the Ecork Hotel, in Évora and, in June, the official opening of The Lince Santa Clara Historic Hotel, in Vila do Conde, will take place.