P R E S S K I T , 2 0 2 1 VIDAGO PALACE HOTEL S E R V I C E O F E X C E L L E N C E A N D E X T R E M E C A R E Email: [email protected] T. 276 990 920 / 900 www.vidagopalace.com 41° 38' 24″ N, 7° 34' 22.8″ W 41.64, -7.573 Parque de Vidago * Apartado 16 * 5425-307 VIDAGO A PALACE HIDDEN IN THE FOREST L O C A T I O N In the North of Portugal, located about an hour and a half away from Porto, 15 minutes from the city of Chaves and 30 minutes from the Douro Valley, you will find Vidago Palace Hotel! This emblematic Palace Hidden in the Forest, inserted in the extensive Natural Park of Vidago, is an invitation to discover! With an intimate atmosphere, Vidago Palace Hotel extends along a 110-hectare forest park, where you can find various infrastructures, among them the Conference Center and the traditional hot springs, which allow direct tasting of the Water of Vidago, fresh and with 100% natural gas. We are 20m from the border with Spain (Verín) and close to all the tourist centers of the northern part of Portugal: 1H30M from the International airport of Porto 30M from the Douro Valley 40M from Braga and Guimarães AN INSTITUTION H I S T O R Y CHAPTER I And so a work is born. This story begins at the beginning of the 19th century, during the reign of King Charles the First. It begins with the discovery of the therapeutic properties of the various hot springs that characterize this northern northern region of Portugal. It was not long before the thermal cures and the well- being spaces became quite appreciated by the Belle Époque aristocratic society. Charles the first wanted to see a luxurious space built, with international projection - in line with his ambitions - to accommodate visitors, tourists and the royal family, who came in search of the therapeutic effects of the famous mineral waters. These waters made Vila de Vidago a center of national interest. "God wills, man dreams, the work is born." - Fernando Pessoa It was not until 6 October 1910 that the project of the architects Miguel Ventura Terra, and later, António Rodrigues da Silva Júnior, opened doors to the public. After Charles the first was murdered in 1908 and the accession of King Manuel II to the throne, on October 5, 1910, the republic was established and the Vidago Palace Hotel was inaugurated by the new government. The Hotel became the stage for majestic parties and the Portuguese and European elite recognized its excellence. As a novelty, Vidago Palace has become a trend, and the aristocracy has become increasingly assiduous and fond of the characteristic luxury that it found there, together with the natural magnificence present in the gardens that surround it. CHAPTER II The rebirth of a Classic. It was after the second world war that Vidago Palace started to lose its fame in international terms. Europe, which had been the scene of major and costly conflicts, has undergone major socio-economic changes. Together with the appearance of a more diversified international offer and with high standards of luxury, it resulted in the fading of the Hotel's brilliance which ended up closing its doors in 2006 to be completely remodeled. A century past its opening, the Vidago Palace Hotel reopens full of splendor. an unexpected turnaround. A significant investment on the part of the Super Bock Group has allowed this historic site to gain a new lease of life and once again play a leading role in the hotel market with the criteria of 21st century comfort and luxury, without sacrificing its architectural heritage and identity. S T Y L E A N D A T M O S P H E R E The main responsible for this rebirth are the interior architects - José Pedro Lopes Vieira & Diogo Rosa Lã - who imagined the decoration of the interior spaces and the architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, who created the new Spa and Club House. The hotel recalls the art of living in the great aristocratic houses of the Belle Époque, valuing its architectural heritage. The best artisans of each specialty were hired to give the hotel its shine and aura. The hotel retains absolutely charming details, exhibiting noble materials along its corridors, tailor-made furniture, some recent, other originals from its inauguration, exuberant fabrics with more than 100 references, silk wallpapers with expressive motifs, a carefully selected lamp and a subtle range of colors. The comfort present in the nobility of the spaces and in the rich pieces of dark wood furniture - so typically Portuguese - coexists perfectly with Venetian-style chandeliers and light mosaic floors that join floors covered with thick handmade carpets. T H E P A R K Vast and generous are some of the many adjectives that describe the beautiful Natural Park that surrounds the Vidago Palace Hotel. With its century-old trees, it surrounds the hotel as a protective mantle. Created in 1910, it presents a typical landscape from the beginning of the 20th century, which remains intact today. Its alleys, paths, trails and water mirrors invite visitors to stroll through the grove that changes color according to the seasons. Green is the mother color of the Vidago Palace Hotel, which invites leisure and offers a unique view of its true essence. FOOD AND BEVERAGE T H E C H E F Throughout his almost 20-year career, chef Vitor Matos has been a judge in several competitions and guest speaker at several congresses and seminars. As a cook, he won several distinctions, including the titles of Chef Cook of the Year 2003 (Edições do Gosto), Chef of the Year 2013 (Revista WINE Awards), Best Cook of Portugal 2014 (Arco Atlântico Gastro Awards) and the "Prix Chefs de l'Avenir” 2011 (Académie Internacional de Gastronomie, Paris). In his last project he had several distinctions as leader of Largo do Paço cuisine, among which stand out 2 Suns in the Repsol Guide, 1 star in the Michelin Guide, "Garfo D'Ouro" in the Boa Cama Boa Mesa do Expresso Guide, Certificate of Excellence 2014, by TripAdvisor, and the title of Best Restaurant in Europe, by the Guide "The European 50 Best.com". Chef Vitor Matos excels in using seasonal and regional products, genuine and fresh, enhancing your palate. The Chef's cuisine has Mediterranean influences and presents itself as a mix between tradition and new gastronomic trends. Vítor Matos,chef de cuisine and gastronomic consultant F O O D A N D B E V E R A G E BALLROOM The Ballroom, of imposing dimensions, is one of the most important divisions of the Vidago Palace Hotel. This ballroom, the largest of all that existed at the time, was the stage for the most luxurious parties. SERVIÇOS E Located on the ground floor, with access to the garden on the side of the main facade, the lounge IhasN beenF transRAEformed into a GouSrmetT RestRUTaurant. URAS Using local products, the refined cuisine of the Ballroom features traditional dishes from the North of Portugal that have been deconstructed and reinterpreted, to offer a sophisticated sample of the best menu in the region. WINTER GARDEN Located on the ground floor, under a wrought iron and glass structure that gives it the appearance of a winter garden, the Winter Garden redefines its imposing volume with very fresh tones, in a mixture of greenish gray and bluish gray (Farrow & Ball), and a contemporary and comfortable decor that make the space very welcoming. Conceived as the breakfast room, the Winter Garden is perfect for those who want to read the daily newspapers in peace. Residents can start the day with a magnificent pastry buffet, delicious fresh fruit and hot and cold specialties. WINECELLAR Located on the ground floor, on the right wing of the hotel, the traditional wine cellar of the Vidago Palace Hotel is a cozy living space. Access is via an outside entrance or elevator, from inside the hotel. Wide, it has about 150 m2 spread over several different spaces in gray and blue tones. SERVIÇOS E It is an area where the tasting of the wines that make up the cellar of our Hotel are promoted, with a wide variety of national and international wines. The perfect combination of Portuguese snacks IandN SpanFish taRAEpas, as well as tradSitionaTl PortuRUTguese cuisine. URAS CLUBHOUSE The old stone building, dating from 1886, once used to bottle Vidago's water, is the current Club House of the Vidago Palace Hotel, located in the park. The Vidago Palace Hotel's Club House Bar and Restaurant enjoys a unique space. Designed to be both welcoming and spacious, it offers a calm and serene environment. Designed by the architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, it has an extremely modern interior decoration. White and broad, it has about 440 m2 of straight lines. Illuminated in its center by a rectangular skylight, the Club House at Vidago Palace Hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a shop and changing rooms. BAR AND FOUR SEASONS ROOM Located at the tip of the palace's north wing, the Four Seasons Room receives plenty of natural light in all seasons thanks to its triple exposure to the sun. Conceived in the style of an 18th- century literary salon, it has a configuration that promotes conversations and rituals of an art of living in everyday life. The Bar, together with tSEhe Four SeRasons Vroom Iis oÇpen dOaily andS its a tmEosphere invites anyone to enjoIy thNe menFu of tRAEhe season suggestSed byT the chRUTef, or even a quietURAS five o'clock tea.