Meraki #22 EN - Torel Palace Porto

MERAKI Travel Stories

TOREL PALACE PORTO Romance & Poetry

Visual Stories | #22

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TOREL PALACE PORTO Romance & Poetry The boutique hotel Torel Palace Porto is a ve star in the city center. This new project is located in one of the most impressive buildings in Porto, the Campos Navarro Palace, from the year 1861, one of the most distinctive examples of romantic architecture in Porto. The atmosphere is intimate and a real tribute to poetry and the most iconic Portuguese writers and poets.

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This new and elegant boutique hotel was opened in February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic dictated the entry into a new phase of our lives and, consequently, of the tourism sector. But that did not stop our stay, which was done in total tranquility and complying with all the security rules The location is privileged, more speci cally at 42 Entreparedes Street, and the bourgeois building is one of the most impressive in Por to, the Palacete Campos Na varro, whose highlight is certainly the magni cent skylight that stands at the top of the stairs The skylight is the element that traces the central point in the hotel's identity and evokes the mythology of antiquity while representing the professional side of the family: the representation of Mercury, the Roman god of Commerce; an allegor y to Industry; Minerva, the goddess of Arts and Science; and yet another allegory of maritime shipping and freight transport.

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ROOMS AND SUITE “Art is a summary of nature made by imagination”, said Eça de Queiróz, the author who served as inspiration during my stay Upon entering the Torel Palace, climbing the wonderful staircase that accompanies it, and entering the Eça de Queiróz suite, it made me return to a monumental time of grandeur and opulence. The worked ceilings and the generosity of the areas perfectly accompany the elegance of the decoration and above all the small details that compose it.

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Torel Palace Porto has 24 rooms and suites, in eight di erent categories and sizes. Each space was assigned the name of a Portuguese writer or poet, portrayed through a painting by Jorge Curval But the most surprising element is the giant cubes located in the center of some of the rooms, entirely lined with mirrors, which gives an interesting game of re ections and shapes. It is in its original interior that the bathrooms are covered with marble of very di erent types and colors and soberly decorated to bridge the gap between classic and modern.

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The Torel Palace Porto aims to honor the most iconic Portuguese writers and poets, of which we can highlight the aforementioned Eça de Queiroz, but also Florbela Espanca and, undoubtedly, Fernando Pessoa JosÊ Saramago is another of the names celebrated for his exceptional work, present in the Blind bar and restaurant, whose name refers to one of his most famous works, Blindness, and the exploration of the ve senses as an objective of gastronomic experience achieved by the master chef Vitor Matos. (See full report on Blind at Meraki #18) Outside the restaurant, we nd a wonderful patio where the heated outdoor pool is located and where the green combines with the blue, giving way to the most exclusive cocktails in a quiet late afternoon.

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HOMAGE TO THE MOST ICONIC PORTUGUESE WRITERS AND POET

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DECOR & DESIG As we walk through this eye-catching 19th century building, it is impressive to see the extensive reconstruction work that was done to restore the grandeur of the past to the present day The interior project was handed over to Isabel Sรก Nogueira, who managed to preserve as much as possible all that existed along the four oors that make up the palace, combining the original characteristics of the building with the comfort and convenience that is currently sought in a ve star The common spaces are composed of characteristic pieces of furniture, strong colors and carefully directed lighting, with the intention of enhancing the beauty of the palace and restoring its splendor, as can be seen in the lobby, staircase or skylight.

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The library, located on the ground oor, is also a space that deser ves our attention, because indirectly it is from there that the entire aesthetic concept of the hotel develops Historically, the Campos Navarro family has always been adept at the arts, particularly literature, and in one of the halls, busts of LuĂ­s de CamĂľes, Alexandre Herculano, Aquilino Ribeiro and Almeida Garrett were built into the ceiling, and it is in this way that it is decided to keep the theme of literature as a starting point for the aesthetic concept.

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CALLA WELLNES Well-being always occupies a privileged place in my stay and in the Calla Wellness Suite, an exclusive and intimate space, I was able to enjoy a relaxing massage with Phytomer products This brand is widely known for its quality and experience in the market for almost 50 years. All Phytomer products are free of parabens, alcohol and silicones, so that we can have one of the most natural and healthy skin care experiences throughout our experience Here we nd a team of professionals, a wide range of face and body treatments and various types of massage - relaxation, detoxifying or treatments for couples, using specialized techniques such as bamboo therapy.

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MERAKI Hotels & Fine Dining

CEO/Editorial Director CARLA BRANC Text CARLA BRANC Photos TOREL PALACE PORTO Story #22 January 202 www.torelpalaceporto.com

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