The Lince Santa Clara, a unit of The Lince Hotels chain, has been nominated for the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2027, a distinction that reinforces the prestige of this five-star hotel from the Grupo Arliz.
This nomination joins a remarkable set of national and international awards already won by the unit. Among the most relevant are a Michelin Star, awarded to the Oculto restaurant just six months after its opening, two Michelin Keys, the National Real Estate Award, the National Urban Rehabilitation Award and two Expresso/SIC Notícias Real Estate Awards.
The history of the building dates back to 1318, the year it was founded as a monastery. After the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the space had various uses — including a prison — until it fell into a state of abandonment. In 2018, as part of the Revive program, the Grupo Arliz won the concession to operate the property for a period of 50 years.
The architectural project is by the renowned architect Carvalho Araújo, with interiors designed by the Vilaça Interiores studio. The hotel preserves the imposing original facades, including the central pediment with the royal coat of arms and the sculpture of Santa Clara, an intervention that earned a nomination for the 2026 Mies van der Rohe Award (EUmies Awards), one of the most important distinctions in European architecture.
The unit has 87 rooms and 11 suites, with panoramic views of the sea or the river. The rooms located in the attic stand out for their sloping ceiling and original wooden beams, reinforcing the historical character of the building.
The gastronomic offer is one of the hotel’s great highlights. The Mosteiro restaurant, led by chef Júlia Oliveira, focuses on traditional Portuguese cuisine, with dishes that evoke family memories, such as Roast Kid and Octopus à Lagareiro. The Oculto restaurant, headed by Vítor Matos – the Portuguese chef with the most Michelin stars – and Hugo Rocha, presents a high-end gastronomic offering focused on fish and seafood, complemented by a menu based on seasonal and regional ingredients. The hotel also features the elegant Abadessa Bar, located in the monastery cloisters, and the Arcos Bar, next to the infinity pool, ideal for cocktails and light meals.
The Aqueduto Wellness & Spa provides a serene environment inspired by ancient Roman baths. The space includes an indoor pool with hydrotherapy and a wide variety of treatments, performed with products from the Sisley brand, recognized for its quality and exclusivity.
At The Lince Santa Clara, every detail has been carefully thought out. The staff uniforms, designed by Micaela Oliveira, reflect the history of the Santa Clara Monastery, the heritage of the Order of the Poor Clares, as well as the visual identity and unique atmosphere of the hotel.
Know more at www.johansens.com/europe/portugal/oporto-northern-portugal/the-lince-santa-clara-historic-hotel.