Tivoli Hotels & Resorts has announced its first property in the Alentejo region of Portugal in the historic city of Évora, joining the brand’s other timelessly elegant properties in Portugal, Brazil and Qatar.

The Tivoli Évora Ecoresort, scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2018, will be a nature retreat boasting gorgeous scenery and unique cultural experiences. Currently operating as the Ecorkhotel, Évora – Suites & Spa, the property is located on the lush plains of Portugal’s south-central Alentejo region, just a five-minute drive from the historic centre of Évora, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and a one-hour drive from the capital Lisbon.

Surrounded by age-old cork oak and olive trees, the property is designed in sustainable contemporary style. Soft architectural lines blend perfectly into the verdant landscape, with 56 suites carefully placed around the 38,000-sq-m grounds, providing ultimate privacy and tranquillity for guests. All suites are warmly decorated with natural elements such as wool and cork, with outside areas for relaxing amidst the sounds of nature. As part of a refurbishment programme, an exclusive new villa with nine guest rooms and a private outdoor swimming pool will be added to the resort.

The ecoresort also has a spa providing pure serenity for the senses. Treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath and fully equipped fitness room will be available for guests to enjoy. Making the most of relaxing inspirational surroundings, the hotel will also focus on personalised wellness programmes, incorporating both traditional and innovative treatments with healthy eating, exercise and nature-based activities.

The main restaurant takes guests on a journey around Portugal with local and seasonal produce, much of which sourced directly from the hotel's own biological garden, ensuring high quality and freshness. The lobby bar provides decadent drinks and snacks to enjoy a winter's afternoon by the traditional open fire or to cool down on hot summer days. On the first floor of the central building, the infinity pool bar will serve freshly squeezed fruit juices in the morning and creative cocktails to accompany captivating sunsets overlooking the Alentejo countryside.

Public areas and multiple suites can be reserved in exclusivity upon request, providing the perfect setups for dream destination weddings, honeymoons or company retreats.

The property is built according to the highest standards of environmental practice and energy efficiency. The entire central building is covered in cork, a material found locally in abundance, which allows for effective thermal and acoustic insulation in an area where temperatures can vary. The hotel also uses geothermal energy to heat the central building and solar panels to heat running water and the swimming pools. This environmental benchmark programme has led the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) to bestow the hotel with the Biosphere Award, recognising sustainable tourism projects around the world.

The cultural treasures and natural beauty of Évora and the Alentejo region mean guests will be able to enjoy one-of-a-kind Tivoli Experiences. Options will include retracing historic routes to discover the secrets of Évora, nature hiking, skydiving, stargazing at the Alqueva Reservoir Dark Sky Reserve, sunset hot air balloon rides and excellent wining and dining. Guests can be introduced to rustic Alentejan cuisine and wines with artisan food tours around the region, including tasting sessions and vineyard visits. In addition to wines, olive oil is also produced locally, and guests can taste this special nectar straight from the source.

“We are very pleased to announce the first Tivoli Hotel in the Alentejo region and the brand’s eleventh property in Portugal. This ecoresort is a perfect complement to our portfolio in the country and represents our arrival in a fascinating region where tourism has grown sustainably. This launch is an important step in the expansion of Tivoli and Minor Hotels in Portugal,” said Marco Amaral, vice-president of Operations and Development in Europe and South America for Minor Hotels, the parent company of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts.

Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is celebrating 85 years of hospitality in 2018. Currently operating 13 hotels and resorts in Portugal, Brazil and Qatar, the brand is planning to launch more properties in Qatar and Brazil before the end of the year. - TradeArabia News Service