The new Meliá hotel in the Aveiro district and Porto Metropolitan Area was created under the Revive Program, which, overseen by the Ministries of Economy, Culture, and Finance, entrusts private partners with the redevelopment of state-owned properties for tourism purposes.

Through a 50-year concession, the property, originally built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was restored in the Portuguese building style known as "Brazilian architecture," because it combines various decorative styles favoured by wealthy emigrants who returned from Brazil.

"It was a somewhat difficult project because, on the one hand, we had to take certain precautions to preserve the mansion, and on the other, the contractors were unable to work at the desired pace, given the usual labour shortage, which hinders their ability to respond," Manuel Proença, president and founder of Hoti Hoteis, told Lusa.

The original building was reserved for the reception, bar, restaurant, and presidential suite, maintaining the centuries-old courtyard designed by António Dias Garcia (1859-1940) in front. However, the property, with over 5,000 square meters (m2) of gross floor area, now includes a new, contemporary block with five floors above ground and one semi-basement.

This layout provides the hotel with a total of 93 rooms, some of which are located on a floor specifically designed for corporate stays, and also provides an event hall, meeting rooms, a gym, a spa and an outdoor pool.

To manage these resources, 35 new jobs were created, but Manuel Proença admits to constraints at this level as well. "The sector doesn't have enough people to meet market needs, and we had to relocate some of our human resources, who came from other units, such as the one in Aveiro, to work in São João da Madeira," he explains.

Expecting to welcome family tourists, but anticipating mainly business stays, given "the region's business and industrial importance," the president of Hoti Hoteis anticipates: "If everything goes as planned, we should recoup the investment in 15 years, while simultaneously advancing new hotels."

"Already under construction, with the foundations laid," is the Viana do Castelo hotel, which, with the acquisition of the land, will cost around 18 million euros. "In early 2026," work is expected to begin on Avenida da Boavista in Porto, where 30 million euros will allow for the construction of a Meliá hotel and also a Residence brand residential building. This, along with a similar project in Aveiro, will mark Hoti's debut in the residential real estate sector.