The Lince Santa Clara was one of 11 honorees awarded the 2026 Medal of Merit at a ceremony organized by Vila do Conde City Council at the Municipal Theatre on March 26, as part of the City Day celebrations. The distinction recognized the hotel’s role in the rehabilitation and enhancement of the former Santa Clara Monastery, as well as the cultural, social, and economic impact generated in the region since its opening in 2024.
The hotel is the result of the restoration of the Santa Clara Monastery under the REVIVE program. This five-star property has brought new life to a building with centuries of history, originally founded in 1318 and extensively rebuilt in the 18th century. The intervention preserved the architectural and historical identity of the complex while integrating it into a contemporary luxury hospitality concept.
Designed by the Carvalho Araújo architecture studio and with interiors by Vilaça Interiores, the project has established itself as one of the most significant examples of heritage rehabilitation in Portugal, earning widespread recognition both nationally and internationally. In 2025, the building received some of the country’s most prestigious architecture awards — the National Real Estate Award, the National Urban Rehabilitation Award, and two Expresso/SIC Notícias Real Estate Awards — and has been nominated for the 2026 Mies van der Rohe Award, one of Europe’s most important distinctions in architecture.
In terms of hospitality, The Lince Santa Clara has also earned two Michelin Keys, strengthening its position in the premium segment, and is currently competing for the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2027, international tourism and hospitality awards that recognize some of the world’s finest hotels, spas, and luxury properties. Its in-house restaurant, Oculto, has been awarded one Michelin Star, consolidating gastronomy as a key differentiating element of the guest experience.
Beyond its heritage and tourism value, the project has generated direct impact on the local economy, creating around one hundred qualified jobs. The integration of the Santa Clara Monastery Interpretive Centre, managed by the Municipality, also contributes to the site’s cultural enrichment, bringing both the community and visitors closer to its history and identity.
The awarding of the Municipal Medals is part of the Vila do Conde Municipality Day celebrations, marked annually on June 24 during the São João festivities. This ceremony, held this year on March 26, is one of the most important institutional events in the municipal calendar, honoring individuals and organizations that stand out for their contribution to the development, prestige, and national and international projection of the municipality.
In this context, the Medal of Merit stands as one of the highest distinctions granted by the municipality, publicly recognizing projects and initiatives that significantly contribute to the enhancement of the territory and community, reinforcing Vila do Conde’s position as a cultural, economic, and tourism reference.
“This distinction represents a very meaningful recognition of the work carried out by Grupo Arliz in valuing heritage and creating projects with real impact in the territories where we operate. The Lince Santa Clara is a clear example of how it is possible to respect history, preserve the identity of a unique building, and at the same time project it into the future with a contemporary and sustainable approach. Receiving this Medal of Merit from Vila do Conde City Council reinforces our commitment to quality, culture, and local economic development,” said Domingos Correia, CEO of Grupo Arliz.
The Lince Santa Clara thus reinforces its position as a benchmark in the intersection of tourism, culture, and sustainability, standing as an example of how heritage rehabilitation can contribute to economic development and territorial enhancement, projecting Vila do Conde on both the national and international stage.