The Lince Santa Clara was one of 11 recipients of the 2026 Medal of Merit, awarded during a ceremony organised by Vila do Conde City Council at the Municipal Theatre on 26 March, as part of the City Day celebrations. The distinction recognised the hotel’s role in the rehabilitation and enhancement of the former Santa Clara Monastery, as well as the cultural, social and economic impact it has generated in the region since opening in 2024.
The result of the rehabilitation of the Santa Clara Monastery under the REVIVE programme, the five-star hotel has brought new life to a centuries-old building, originally founded in 1318 and extensively rebuilt in the 18th century. The intervention preserved the architectural and heritage identity of the complex while integrating it into a contemporary luxury hospitality concept.
Designed by Carvalho Araújo and with interiors by Vilaça Interiores, the project has established itself as one of Portugal’s most significant examples of heritage rehabilitation, receiving widespread recognition at both national and international level. 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 the field of architecture.
In hospitality, The Lince Santa Clara has also been awarded two Michelin Keys, further strengthening its position in the premium segment, and is in the running for the 2027 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, international tourism and hospitality awards that recognise some of the world’s finest hotels, spas and luxury properties. The hotel’s restaurant, Oculto, was awarded a Michelin Star, further establishing its gastronomic offering as one of the distinctive elements of the experience.
Beyond its heritage and tourism significance, the project has had a direct impact on the local economy, creating around one hundred skilled jobs. The integration of the Santa Clara Monastery Interpretation Centre, managed by the Municipality, also contributes to the cultural value of the site, bringing both the local community and visitors closer to its history and identity.
The Municipal Medals form part of the celebrations of Vila do Conde Municipality Day, held annually on 24 June as part of the São João festivities. This year’s ceremony, held on 26 March, is one of the most significant institutional events in the municipal calendar, recognising individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the development, prestige and national and international profile of the municipality.
In this context, the Medal of Merit is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the municipality, publicly recognising projects and initiatives that make a significant contribution to the enhancement of the territory and its community, reinforcing Vila do Conde’s position as a cultural, economic and tourism reference.
“This distinction represents significant recognition of the work carried out by Grupo Arliz in enhancing heritage and creating projects with a real impact on 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 through a contemporary and sustainable concept. Receiving this Medal of Merit from Vila do Conde City Council reinforces our commitment to quality, culture and local economic development,” says Domingos Correia, CEO of Grupo Arliz.
The Lince Santa Clara thus further strengthens its position as a reference in bringing together tourism, culture and sustainability, demonstrating how heritage rehabilitation can contribute to economic development and the enhancement of territories, while projecting Vila do Conde onto the national and international stage.