Project: Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel
Architecture: Visioarq Arquitectos
Location: Porto, Portugal
Area: 15939 m2
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Fernando Guerra | FG+SG
Opened in April 2023, Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel by Visioarq is an elegant new landmark in the heart of Porto, Portugal. Designed as a refined four-star urban retreat, the hotel redefines the expectations of its category through innovative architecture, sustainability, and a seamless dialogue with the city’s historic context.
A Bold Architectural Vision
Commissioned by the Canadian Mercan Group, with an investment of around 56 million euros, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel marks the debut of the Renaissance Hotels brand in Portugal. Belonging to the Marriott Bonvoy global portfolio, the hotel introduces a new standard of sophistication and comfort to the city.
Visioarq’s challenge was to design a contemporary refuge that would combine urban elegance with architectural distinctiveness. To achieve this, the studio invested heavily in the exterior design, crafting a façade that blends identity, rhythm, and lightness. The result is a structure that both stands out and integrates harmoniously with Porto’s hilly landscape.
Architecture Inspired by Porto
The building’s main façade is wrapped in a microperforated metallic skin — a “second layer” that filters sunlight and softens the hotel’s visual mass. This metal cladding creates geometric patterns reminiscent of the sails of traditional Douro River boats and the motifs of hydraulic tiles, paying subtle tribute to Porto’s architectural heritage.
On the western façade, vertical Accoya wood elements introduce warmth and natural texture. Their rhythm and variation evoke the organic beauty of the adjacent green park, creating a smooth transition between architecture and landscape. This combination of metal and wood results in a contemporary yet grounded aesthetic, emphasizing sustainability and urban connection.
A Sculptural and Sustainable Landmark
A striking asymmetrical concrete canopy defines the main entrance, serving both functional and symbolic purposes. Acting as a sculptural gateway, it connects the hotel’s two volumes and welcomes guests with a dynamic gesture that reflects the building’s modern spirit.
Sustainability was central to the project. The design team followed strict environmental criteria, ensuring that the construction contributed to the rehabilitation of a three-hectare area in Porto. These efforts earned the project LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of recognition by the U.S. Green Building Council — a distinction achieved by only eight hotels worldwide.
Elevated Design and Unforgettable Views
The Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel features 163 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, and a rooftop infinity pool suspended three meters above the terrace. This dramatic pool overlooks both the Atlantic Ocean and the city’s skyline, creating one of Porto’s most remarkable viewpoints.
Inside, the hotel offers a refined balance of comfort and functionality. A conference hall accommodates up to 500 guests, reinforcing the building’s role as both a leisure and business destination. Every detail — from natural materials to lighting and spatial flow — contributes to an atmosphere of calm sophistication.
Awards and International Recognition
The project’s excellence has been widely acknowledged. The Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel by Visioarq won the Silver Trophy at the International Design Awards (IDA) for Building of the Year – Hospitality, competing among entries from more than 80 countries. These accolades recognize not only its architectural quality but also its contribution to sustainable urban growth.
Growing the City Through Design
Ultimately, Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel represents a new chapter in Porto’s architectural evolution. It grows the city with inspiring forms and a cosmopolitan attitude while remaining deeply connected to local identity. Surrounded by rehabilitated green spaces open to the public, the hotel fosters a new atmosphere of openness and vitality — an elegant symbol of Porto’s future rooted in respect for its past.
