Open To Welcome New Stories: The Origine Porto Gaia, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Origine Porto Gaia, part of the Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, has just opened on the banks of the Douro River, in the heart of Vila Nova de Gaia. The hotel, managed by AHM – Ace Hospitality Management, features 70 rooms, a restaurant, a champagne bar, and a gym, representing a €26.25 million investment by the Mercan Properties group.

Designed to be the ideal home for locals and visitors to discover the origins and contrasts of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Origine Porto Gaia is a new riverside hotel inspired by a love story set along the Douro River. During the Napoleonic Invasions, an unlikely encounter between Maria, representing a Portuguese fish seller, and Louis, a French soldier, gave rise to a narrative of cultural and emotional connection. This moment, which took place near the hotel, is the foundation of a concept that runs throughout the property: Maria, deeply rooted in local life, represents authentic knowledge and the city’s best-kept secrets, while Louis brings a curious gaze and the charm of French culture.

This duality between the two cultures—the local and the traveler, the traditional and the sophisticated—is reflected in the hotel’s identity: in spaces combining period elements with contemporary lines, in service provided by a local team trained to create tailored experiences, and even in the Bar concept, which pays homage to French elegance in a Portuguese setting.

“Origine Porto Gaia is born where the Douro meets the Atlantic, between iconic bridges and streets steeped in centuries of memories. We drew inspiration from the region’s soul, its people, and the passion of those who visit us to create a retreat where tradition and sophistication intertwine naturally. More than a hotel, we want to be both a point of departure and arrival, where time slows down and every detail holds fragments of history. The unique character of each room is part of our identity. The Cais-me Bem restaurant, with its views and Portuguese cuisine, is designed for both everyday moments and special occasions. And to stand out, we’ve created Cota 219, our Champagne Bar, envisioned as a new meeting point in the city. Origine Porto Gaia invites you to experience the best of our culture with a contemporary touch, always with the river as a backdrop and the inspiration of being, today, what our history has taught us to be,” says Tiago Duarte, General Manager of the property.

With architecture by the NN studio and interiors by Nano Design, the 70 rooms—spread over 14 different types—are distributed across five floors and offer warm yet sophisticated environments that blend contemporary details with vintage touches. Colorful fabrics, patterns, and textures, wood accents, natural light points, and privileged views over the Douro River and Porto are signature features. The décor also includes a striking mural by Brazilian artist Jaqueline Arashida, who used colors from the hotel’s palette to mix elements of Brazilian culture, movements, and rituals. This choice reinforces the property’s cultural fusion, integrating different artistic and identity expressions, always with Porto as the starting point.

“The opening of Origine Porto Gaia represents another step in consolidating Mercan Properties’ presence in Northern Portugal. It is our 14th hotel in the country and the 7th in Greater Porto, reflecting our commitment to the development of the hospitality sector and confidence in the region’s tourism potential. It is also our first property in Vila Nova de Gaia, launched under the Tribute Portfolio by Marriott brand, reinforcing both the project’s ambition and Marriott’s trust in our vision. We are delighted to open Origine Porto Gaia, maintaining our commitment to excellence and focusing on developing hotel projects aligned with the highest international standards. We want to continue generating a positive impact—economically and socially—in the regions where we operate,” says Jordi Vilanova, President of Mercan Properties.

In addition to pet-friendly service and a 24-hour fitness center with the option of a personal trainer, Origine Porto Gaia features a restaurant that blends traditional Portuguese cuisine with some French techniques, and a Champagne Bar that contrasts with the region’s predominant wine offerings.

Cota 219 is a champagne bar whose menu focuses on wines from the Champagne region alongside Portuguese sparkling wines from Minho, Dão, Douro, and Bairrada. The selection includes both small producers and independent houses, as well as renowned labels. The drinks list also offers sangrias made with sparkling wine and champagne, plus classic and signature cocktails ranging from fresh and subtle to more complex and gastronomic.

With an intimate and eclectic décor, Cota 219 has 26 seats and a varied menu of light dishes, such as oysters, octopus carpaccio, peppers with lime crème fraîche and chicory, seared tuna brioche with citrus mayo and rice caviar, or Iberian ham “bola de Berlim.” Sweet options include elderflower panna cotta with mixed berries and champagne, and tropical fruit soup with passion fruit sorbet. The space is open daily from 4:00 PM to midnight.

Origine Porto Gaia represents a €26.25 million investment by the Mercan Properties Group, creating 554 new jobs—500 indirect and 54 direct.

“Origine Porto Gaia brings the total number of properties managed by AHM to 14. This project reinforces our role as a white-label operator and strengthens our focus on dining experiences. We believe in its potential to enhance the region’s hospitality offering and to contribute positively to the local community and the destination’s positioning,” concludes Mariano Faz, CEO of AHM – Ace Hospitality Management, the company responsible for managing Origine Porto Gaia.