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Six Senses Seeking to Open More Hotels in Portugal

6 September 2017

The group that owns the luxurious Six Senses Douro Valley is looking for new opportunities in the Portuguese market. Comporta, Alentejo, Algarve, Porto and Lisbon are all on the list.

The Thai group Six Senses, owner of the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel, is researching the Portuguese market with the intent of acquiring a new hotel unit. “We love Portugal, and we want to strengthen our presence in the country. In this sense, we are researching areas such as the Algarve, Comporta, Alentejo, Lisbon and Porto,” Nick Yarnell, director general of the Six Senses Douro Valley Hotel, told ECO. “If everything goes well, we should have another hotel in Portugal by 2020,” Yarnell added.

Nick Yarnell stated that “currently, the group is in negotiations to open a unit in the Algarve, but there is still nothing concrete.” “In any case, it won’t happen before 2020,” he said.

But regarding investments, the group’s goals reach further: the expansion of the Douro hotel unit is also foreseen. “We will continue to invest in our hotel. We have in view an expansion plan that aims to increase the number of rooms (ten more) and to build 14 apartments for sale,” Nick Yarnell said, who did not, however, disclose the amount of the investment.

The Six Senses Douro Valley (ex-Aquapura), located in Quinta de Vale Abraão and acquired in 2013, is successful, and its revenues are a factor in the decision. The Six Senses Douro Valley is a luxury hotel with 57 rooms and prices ranging from 300 euros per night (low season) to 600 euros (high season).

Condé Nast Traveller recognises Douro hotel

Condé Nast Traveller, the most respected industry magazine in the world, has acknowledged the Six Senses Douro Valley with the “Favourite Overseas Holiday Hotel in Europe, Turkey & Russia” award. In addition to this prize, the hotel located in the Douro earned second place as “best hotel in the world.”

For Nick Yarnell, this distinction “fills [us] with pride” and “makes [us] very satisfied.” “But the truth is that it’s something we did not expect, as the hotel is only two years old,” explained the hotel’s director general.

Still, the person responsible for the brand in Portugal does not fail to mention the factors that may have led to the award: “The hotel is a luxury unit, promoting well-being in conjunction with wine and, importantly, is in the region of the Douro.”

Original Story: Economia Online – Elisabete Felismino

Translation: Richard Turner