The World of Hospitality Issue 38 2020 | Page 4

4 THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY MONUMENTAL PALACE HOTEL Monumental Palace Hotel Hotel Located in the historic building “Almeida e Cunha”, known as “Pension Monumental”, the new MONUMENTAL PALACE HOTEL occupies a strategic position in the center of Porto: the famous Avenida dos Aliados in front of the town hall. The building built in 1923 by the Italian architect Michelangelo Soà has been rehabilitated to become the most luxurious palace of the city of Porto. It is obviously to the famous OITOEMPONTO studio, based in Porto, that were entrusted the interior architecture and the decoration of the rooms as well as of all the spaces of reception and restoration. “The neoclassical style of the building as its anchor in the history of the city of Porto make this project” monumental “because it requires to reinterpret the glorious past of Porto in a contemporary writing, as well as in volumes, style and the uses” specify Artur Miranda and Jacques Bec, the founders of OITOEMPONTO. The concept of the Hotel Monumental Porto is to make it the hotel of the great travelers since the 20s. A place which evokes the glorious Porto of the 30s until our days… A romanticized interpretation of a place which sheltered to its inauguration a large café with an orchestra in residence, some of whose decorations were updated during the renovation and which would have continued to be the luxury hotel of the economic capital of Portugal.Since the 1920s, the city has been living to the rhythm of its cafes and the Avenida dos Aliados has brought together the jewels of this corporation to make it the nerve center of Porto. During the construction, a miracle occurred when one of the destroyed walls unveiled the old billiard room intact with original decorations, marble details, plasterwork and moldings, noble wooden banisters and many ornamental details who will actively participate in the future decor project. The facade being neoclassical, the OITOEMPONTO duo chose to make a hotel that respects its history and style. A decorative bias that allows to integrate in these same neo 30 settings all the luxury of modernity.