Memmo Príncipe Real unveiled
A new five-star Memmo Hotel, designed by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, has opened in Lisbon.
The 41-key Memmo Príncipe Real is nestled amongst the traditional tiled 19th century structures of Príncipe Real, and is accessed through a narrow honey-hued passageway. The hotel offers panoramic views of the city and the Tagus River, and marks the first five-star development in the district.
The ground floor is entirely walled on one side by floor-to-ceiling windows providing uninterrupted views of the city, while limestone floors throughout the reception, restaurant, bar, and terrace pay tribute to traditional Portuguese masonry. Each guestroom varies in size, though all feature a neutral palette of taupes, sage greens, and wood hues, sharpened by the same black steelwork that can be seen in the hotel’s exterior structure. Bathrooms are entirely outfitted in limestone and offer a full range of amenities by Hermès.
The Memmo design team, coordinated by João Corrêa Nunes, were challenged to create a newbuild that would incorporate mix of modern elements while using classic materials and details, and the completed project sees a contemporary aesthetic rooted in Portuguese heritage. Torres de Carvalho is also responsible for the group’s previous two projects, Memmo Baleeira and Memmo Alfama, and here combines elements from both to create a stark-white four-story geometric building with a long, rectangular silhouette.
Experience details will include a bowler hat crafted by local company Fábrica dos chapéus placed in guestrooms each day, which will contain a different note, recommendation or exclusive invitation from the hotel’s concierge. There will also be a free walking tour every morning for all hotel guests. The hotel’s dining facilities, headed up by Portuguese chef Vasco Lello, include Café Colonial, which draws influences from Portuguese, Brazilian, African, and Asian cuisines.
