DESTINATION | TRÓIA
The Amorim Turismo group’s stylish five-star hotel is the hub of Tróia’s recent renaissance as an upmarket tourism destination. Mark Harding reports.
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róia’s rare geographical attributes have attracted property developers since the early 1970s when the long, sandy promontory emerged as one of Portugal’s first timeshare destinations. It subsequently flourished as a mid-budget holiday resort as families, mostly from Lisbon, took to descending on the peninsula during the hot summer months, and occasionally at weekends at other times of the year.
The place has changed almost beyond recognition since then due to a major restructuring and full upgrade of the resort’s tourism infrastructure, the centrepiece of which is the Amorim Turismo group’s impressive Tróia Design Hotel and casino complex. “The hotel building is part of the original Tróia masterplan but it stood unfinished for over thirty years. Amorim bought the gaming licence for the casino and was obliged to build a five-star hotel, conference centre and show hall as part of the deal,” explained Miguel de Andrade, general manager of the Tróia Design Hotel. The stylish five-star property stands in a prime waterside location overlooking the Sado estuary. The busy fishing port of Setúbal can be seen in the distance. Accommodation consists of 66 deluxe guestrooms and 144 residential units, including 14 sumptuous suites blessed with three spacious bedrooms and a 60 square-metre terrace. “People can invest here and buy their own apartment outright,” he said, adding that a number have already sold. The name Tróia Design Hotel suggests something architecturally ground-breaking and guests arriving by car or passenger ferry get an idea of its contemporary design as 41
| Summer 2011 | www.portugal-life.net
the ultra-modern structure looms into view during the 20-minute crossing from Setúbal. “With its discreet and understated luxury, the design concept is present in every small detail of the hotel. The designers chose the best colours and exactly the right materials for the building to blend in with its natural surroundings. The walls of the interior are adorned with works from the hotel’s private modern art collection, including the guest-rooms which feature pieces from Portuguese artists,” said Andrade.
The Tróia lifestyle When Miguel de Andrade first arrived in Tróia in October 2009, much of the infrastructure was still under development and there was little to interest tourists in the way of cafés and bars and other amenities. “There were no restaurants, supermarkets... nothing! Now, with its village-style environment, the place has lots of human activity and all the necessary facilities in place,” he explained. Since then, Tróia has metamorphosed into a modern, self-contained destination capable of attracting upscale travellers at any time of the year and not just in the high season. Gone are the days when hot weather triggered the ebb and flow of tourists, and the beach was the sole reason why anyone would ever want to visit. “Today there’s a casino, conference centre, concert hall, golf course, show jumping [arena] and a wide range of other reasons why people come here, so with all these facilities Tróia can attract visitors year-round.” Nature is another vital component of the newlook Tróia as developers strive to meet the growing demands of the eco-conscious tourist with projects designed to blend in with one of Portugal’s most endearing landscapes.
In spring the peninsula is a garden of wild flowers sprouting up amidst the sand dunes, pine trees and occasional vestiges of Roman ruins that archaeologists believe are the remains of the ancient city of Cetóbriga, wiped out by a huge tidal wave centuries ago. “Tróia offers visitors the best of both worlds. Besides being very stylish and sophisticated, there are kilometres of uninterrupted white, sandy beaches where visitors can walk for hours barefoot,” enthused Andrade. A number of fashionable beach cafés can be explored along the way that offer an appetising menu of freshly caught fish and seafood and list several excellent local wines.