Located in the golfing heart of the
Algarve, the Victoria is a golf-dedicated
hotel directly facing Arnold Palmer’s
Victoria golf course (hence the name), and
surrounded by two other courses. This
quasi-symmetrical building is formed by
a main central building and two bedroom
wings generating a U-shape facing west.
The sense of arrival begins with the entry plaza. With its three independent
entrances and stone arcade, its function is to separate the guests fluxes coming as
groups, or for conferences, into the lateral canopies, releasing the monumental porte-
cochère for the individual visitors. The
stunning two-storey lobby offers direct
views of the golf course. From there, the
guest can descend towards the outside
pools and bars, or go up to the fine-dining
restaurant and the Spa.
Meticulously detailed in fine stonework,
solid wood and handmade ceramics, the
building echoes the spirit of prewar grand
hotels, as it aspires to a contemporary
rethinking of classical splendour.
The façade system is a composite of
massive yellow Travertine stone blocks,
white precast concrete lintels and light-
gold anodized aluminium frames. Also
in pre-cast concrete, and as part of the
façade composition, the artist Pedro
Calapez designed and moulded a series of
decorative bas-reliefs.