Luxury boutique hotel Torel Avantgarde, in the up-and-coming Portuguese city of Porto, has received consistently glowing reviews since it opened its doors back in September 2017, thanks to its opulent accommodation, original art-inspired décor and breath-taking views over the River Douro. And now the 5-star establishment has been honoured for its unique, art-inspired identity in the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards, receiving the prestigious gong for ‘Best Luxury Art Hotel in Europe’.
Members of the Torel Boutiques team, which also has hotels in Lisbon, flew to Bali to attend the awards ceremony and collect the coveted award in person, including partners and the brains behind the unique hotel brand, João Pedro Tavares, Barbara Ott and Ingrid Koeck. Francisco Lorite, the director of Torel Avantgarde, was also in attendance.
In comments made after the ceremony, partner Ingrid Koeck said: “We are a small group in the big world of hospitality, and for that reason it is hugely rewarding to be recognised in this way. Winning this award is very significant for us, above all bearing in mind that Torel Avantgarde only opened just over one year ago.”
“The two main characteristics that distinguish our hotel from the competition are the ‘hardware’ – the art, the design and the creativity in the hotel – and the ‘software’, which is the people. It is a hotel with a very important human side.”
Having opened its doors in September 2017, Hotel Torel Avantgarde is just fifteen months into its journey, with a concept that is based on art – ranging from literature to music, and from the fine arts to fashion. The hotel has fast established itself as one of the most sought-after luxury hotels in the city. Created in collaboration with Portuguese artists Jorge Cuval, Frederico Draw, Daniel Eime and Paulo Neves, inspiration has been taken from the worlds of plastic arts, literature, science, music – and of course, art and design – from the likes of Francis Bacon and Alberto Giacometti to Amadeo De Souza-Cardoso and Nina Simone. Interior designer, Isabel Sa Nougueiro can be thanked for the décor throughout the hotel which fuses the best of Portugal with modern art and design.
The design of the hotel is reminiscent of the elegance of the 1930s/40s, while at the same time celebrating portuguese artists, design and craftsmanship. Featuring plush furnishing that are all handmade in Portugal – from the beautiful barstools that line the cosy breakfast area, to the incredibly comfortable beds that grace each bedroom – the hotel boasts 47 opulent rooms, each with their own art-inspired identity. Each is named after a different artist of note, and decorated accordingly within.
The prestigious award has given Torel Avantgarde huge international recognition that will raise its international global profile even higher, putting Porto on the map as a sought-after destination for art and culture lovers alike. And, with stunning views over the city’s River D’ouro, its elegant ‘Digby’ restaurant honouring contemporary Portuguese cuisine and the opulent Balsamea spa, if you haven’t visited yet, then you must!
Address: Rua da Restauração, 336 Porto 4050-501
Telephone: +351 22 011 0082
