Torel Boutiques, Portugl: Hotels with a history
Torel Boutiques are for all guests who look for a unique experience away from the standard offers. They believe in a friendly atmosphere and a relaxed environment for guests to feel truly at home.
The passion to create something new
Torel Boutiques is a collection of four prestigious hotels in Lisbon and Porto. Known for individual narrative-hotel creations, they dedicate their imagination to the trendy and curious traveler who seeks more than a room key – an exclusive lodging with a twist. This characteristic has made Torel Boutiques a brand in Portugal and beyond. All their establishments encompass the spirit of comfort and refinement, providing dedicated service and hosting guests in a very personal manner.
Torel Boutiques was born out of a passion for people and the inspiration to create something new. It is the story of three people whose paths crossed in Lisbon when all of them had decided to change their lives: João Pedro Tavares, Barbara Ott and Ingrid Koeck.
In 2013, the Portuguese-born João Pedro Tavares, who had left a career of over 20 years in banking, decided to start a new project. He rented a beautiful, but abandoned villa on top of the Sant´ana hill in the heart of Lisbon and transformed it into a bed and breakfast – Torel Palace Lisbon was born. In early 2014, Barbara Ott from Austria visited Torel Palace Lisbon as a guest, and was smitten by the charming palace – and by Lisbon. After a few months of reflection, she decided to leave Austria, settle in Portugal – and become a partner in Torel Palace Lisbon. Together, João and Barbara renovated the second building next door, which in the spring of 2015 became part of Torel Palace Lisbon.
In the autumn of the same year another Austrian, Ingrid Koeck, who was looking to establish a Bed & Breakfast in Portugal, walked into the bar of Torel Palace Lisbon, where she met Barbara. It was only a matter of time before she became the third partner in what has become a slowly but steadily growing hospitality business marked by a passion for people, dedication to personal service, and a joy of living.
The Torel Boutiques
Torel Palace Lisbon
In the heart of bustling Lisbon, Torel Palace Lisbon with its pool embedded in lush gardens is a tranquil heaven in a quiet corner on top of a hill, overlooking the city.
Live like Royalty in the three mansions of the palace that reside on top of Sant´Ana hill in the heart of Lisbon. Dedicated to the Portuguese Kings and Queens, the charming and romantic palaces will steal your heart. From the private gardens and the pool guests have a breathtaking view over the city.
Torel Palace Porto
All that was required to discover the inspiration for the project was to look up. The portraits on the ornate ceilings in the rooms on the first floor set the tone for the hotel’s concept: literature. And that is how a hotel with 24 rooms and suites which pay homage to famous Portuguese men and women of literature came about.
Torel Palace Porto has a variety of amazing features, but perhaps the most stunning is the skylight on top of the building, called „Claraboia“. The skylight crowning the top of the four-storey building contains eight panels, four with floral motifs and four that symbolize the family: Mercury, the Roman god of merchants; the Allegory of Industry; Minerva, the goddess of the arts and science and the Allegory of Seafaring.
Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments, Porto
The palace’s grandeur – with its magnificent windows, spacious rooms, high ceilings, elegant staircase and fabulous crowning skylight – demanded a superlative theme. The one chosen was that of the cultural diversity of the faraway lands encountered by the Portuguese on their maritime voyages of discovery. An invitation to embark on a journey to Africa, Asia and South America in the very heart of Porto in this Award-winning jewel of a hotel.
To take advantage of the palace’s grandeur and under the light that streams in through the skylight, there is the cozy library lounge „under the stars“. A perfect place to take a break on one of the comfy settees. In addition, guests will find a delicious detail: an old-fashioned travel trunk transformed into the "Honesty Bar". Guests can serve themselves a drink as they settle down with a good book or embark on an interesting conversation.
Torel Avantgarde, Porto
The three times award-winning Torel Avantgarde was inspired by artists of Avantgarde throughout history, while at the same time celebrating contemporary Portuguese art, design and craftsmanship. The result is the first five-star hotel in Porto that was exclusively equipped with Portuguese furniture.
Their famous and extravagant “Flower Room” with its walls of red silk roses and silk flowers hanging from the ceiling provides an amazing immersing space to lounge – and to stay in one of the most Instagramable places of the city.
Torel Palace Lisbon, Torel Palace Porto, Torel Avantgarde & Torel 1884 are Members of Lifestylehotels
