InterContinental Hotel to open in Northern Portuguese city of Porto

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement with Portuguese real estate company Solitaire to open an InterContinental hotel in the northern Portuguese city of Porto.

Aimed at both leisure and business travellers, the InterContinental Porto Palacio Das Cardosas is scheduled to open at the end of 2009 and will be the brand’s first property within this popular European destination. Set in an historic, 250 year old building in the city’s main square, the property will feature 109 rooms, a fully-equipped business centre and first-class leisure facilities. These will include a spa and the reintroduction of the legendary Cafe Astoria, which formerly occupied the ground floor of the building in the early 20th century.

Porto is Portugal’s second largest city, with a surrounding area that is rural and unspoilt. Boasting beautiful landscapes, stunning coastlines, modern architecture, a friendly atmosphere and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Duoro Valley and Foz Coá – the northern region has a strong appeal for discerning travellers. 

Miguel Félix da Costa, Solitaire’s Chief Executive, said, “With InterContinental having an excellent pedigree in managing high-end hotels and resorts across both Europe and the globe, we are delighted to have established this relationship with one of the world’s leading hospitality brands and eager to begin work on opening the InterContinental Porto Palacio Das Cardosas. We believe this to be an especially exciting development for the region, with this addition to the local hospitality industry sure to strengthen leisure and business tourism to northern Portugal.”

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