Historic charm and contemporary design blend seamlessly at the new Água Hotels Lagos Bay
– September 15, 2025 | Text Beatriz Maio | Photos BIMERING
An ancient manor house in the historic centre of Lagos has been reborn as a boutique hotel with a unique design and stunning views of Meia Praia.
The renovation was carried out with meticulous attention to detail, making the most of the opportunity to preserve the history, heritage, and identity of the building.
Água Hotels Lagos Bay blends contemporary design with old-world style, combining modern touches with wooden flooring, gaiolas pombalinas (seismically resistant wooden frameworks), traditional Algarve tiles, and preserved ruins.
The result is a space that exudes lightness, elegance, and comfort. The building’s original structure has been carefully preserved, along with some architectural features, furnishings, crockery, and textiles that keep the spirit of the place alive.
The present makes a statement through original handmade ceramic pieces crafted by the the family-run pottery shop next door, Olaria Nova. Shades of beige, green, and blue evoke the beach and surrounding nature, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
The restoration project was led by architects Concha Reis and Mafalda Fernandes, from the developer Simão & Martins.
Housed in a 19th-century building, this tranquil retreat quietly showcases its history through period stucco work, original light fixtures, mirrors, ceramics, and archival black-and-white photos of its former life.
The hotel comprises 20 individually designed rooms spread across six categories – Standard, Classic, Deluxe, Premium, and Signature Sea View – each offering a discreet sense of comfort, privacy, and character.
Though they differ in scale and outlook, they share a soft and inviting atmosphere. The standout accommodation is the Grand Suite, formerly the property’s main salon, where ornate ceilings, vintage furnishings, and a Victorian bathtub evoke the elegance of another era, transporting guests to a different time.
Service here is distinctly personal. On arrival, guests are guided to their rooms, introduced to the story behind the building, and offered insight into the architectural and decorative details that make the space so unique.
“To make the stay even more special and enhance the experience, whenever possible, depending on availability, we always try to surprise guests with upgrades or surprises to celebrate an important date,” revealed Bruno Canhoto, Sales & Marketing Director of Água Hotels Spa & Resorts since 2020.
There’s also a deliberate effort to pique guests’ curiosity, whether through the layered details of the décor or the building’s quietly fascinating architecture. Each space encourages closer inspection, inviting visitors to pause and take in its textures, materials, and hidden stories.
Breakfast service departs from the usual buffet format in favour of a more refined, leisurely experience.
Served either indoors or al fresco on the terrace with views across the sea – by the poolside bar and lounge area – the morning ritual begins with a board of small bites placed at the table.
From there, guests can order à la carte, choosing from a generous selection of freshly baked goods, artisanal pastries, hot dishes, cured meats, cheeses, and cereal.
This is a distinctive concept that highlights national products and sustainability. “We prioritise local producers, which is why we use handmade terracotta tiles from Tavira and promote crafts from Lagos,” emphasised Bruno Canhoto, who began his career in the UK, where he worked for the Smoke House Hotel and the Four Pillar Hotels chain.
In the Algarve, he worked at Le Meridien Penina (now Penina Hotel & Golf Resort), Grande Real Santa Eulália, Marriott Renaissance Vila Sol, and the former CS group.
Though Água Hotels Lagos Bay has only recently opened its doors, innovation is still firmly on the agenda. Plans are underway for two rooms on the upper floors to feature jacuzzis, whilst those below will have private interior patios.
As there are items from the original house that are not being used, temporary exhibitions may be held in the future so that everyone can appreciate these relics.
“We value each guest’s stay, focusing on the authenticity of the experience,” highlighted the Sales & Marketing Director.
At its core, the hotel is a reflection of the property’s many lives. It originally belonged to Joaquim José Coelho de Carvalho – then mayor of Lagos, later civil governor and administrator of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia charity.
It later became the home of the Veiga Nogueira family and also served as the Lagos Port Authority headquarters.
The building was subsequently donated to Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagos, before being leased to Água Hotels Group, which was founded in 2008 and headquartered in Lagoa.
Over the course of around two years, with an investment of €2.4 million, Água Hotels Spa & Resorts brought this project to life, adding it to the group’s portfolio of five distinctive properties – Água Hotels Riverside, Água Hotels Vila Branca, Água Hotels Alvor Jardim, Água Hotels Mondim de Basto, and Água Hotels Sal Vila Verde.
Água Hotels Lagos Bay marks a further step in the group’s ongoing diversification strategy, which is underpinned by Portuguese partners and capital.
With one project under construction and two in the design phase, Água Hotels is expanding steadily, with plans to open Água Hotels Terra Fria in Bragança by the year’s end – a venture that also reflects the group’s commitment to regional promotion.
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