One Year Celebrating Memorable Stories at Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel celebrates its first anniversary on August 12, marking one remarkable year of stories, achievements, and five-star hospitality. The hotel was the first property in Mercan Properties’ portfolio to open in Vila Nova de Gaia, representing another important milestone in the Group’s continued growth in Portugal.

Over the past year, this five-star hotel has brought an outstanding hospitality experience to one of Portugal’s most iconic destinations. Set along the Douro River, it enjoys a privileged location framed by the river, the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Porto, and its iconic bridges.

A Five-Star Experience Between Porto and Gaia

Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel features 70 rooms and suites, as well as a rooftop swimming pool, a gym, and distinctive dining and bar experiences. Every space was thoughtfully designed to create a strong connection between the hotel, its surroundings, and the story behind its concept.

The best memories hold the best stories, and Origine Porto Gaia is proof of that. Its concept is inspired by the love story of Maria, a Portuguese fish seller, and Louis, a French soldier who arrived in Porto during the Napoleonic invasions.

The hotel brings together two contrasting worlds: local and foreign, traditional and sophisticated. This dichotomy is reflected throughout its design, where contemporary features meet vintage details to create an atmosphere that honors the destination while delivering a distinctive five-star experience.

Portuguese Flavors and Elegant Moments

At Cais-me Bem restaurant, local ingredients and Portuguese flavors come together in a modern interpretation of the region’s culinary identity. Its gastronomic experience celebrates the destination and its traditions through a contemporary perspective. Meanwhile, Cota 219 bar provides an intimate and elegant setting dedicated to Champagne, Portuguese sparkling wines, creative cocktails, and refined bites—the perfect place to celebrate special moments while enjoying the hotel’s remarkable surroundings.

Together, these venues contribute to the hotel’s distinctive identity, inviting guests and visitors to discover new flavors and create memorable stories by the Douro River.

National Recognition

During its first year, Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel was nominated for Best Five-Star Hotel at the Portugal Travel Awards by Publituris 2026. The hotel was also nominated in the Best Rehabilitation for Tourism Use category at the 2026 National Urban Rehabilitation Awards. This nomination recognizes the transformation of its historic building into a contemporary hospitality project that preserves and celebrates its architectural character.

In addition to these two prestigious national nominations, Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel received the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025, further reinforcing the quality of the experience it has delivered since opening.

The hotel has also earned outstanding ratings across leading travel platforms: 10/10 on Booking.com, 9.4/10 on Expedia, 4.7/5 on Tripadvisor, and 4.9/5 on Google. These results reflect the positive experiences shared by guests and the daily commitment of the team to delivering exceptional hospitality.

It has been an incredible first year, made possible by the trust of our investors and partners and the dedication of our teams. Their commitment helped Mercan Properties achieve another significant milestone while giving Vila Nova de Gaia a new place where stories can be told and shared.

Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the journey of Origine Porto Gaia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The next story is yet to be written - let’s write it together!