Luxury hotel will be located in Praia do Vau and is due to open in summer 2026
Hard Rock International has announced plans to open a new luxury hotel in the Algarve.
The Hard Rock Hotel Algarve will be located “near the stunning beach of Praia do Vau in Portimão,” the company reveals.
Construction is due to start early 2024 with the hotel’s opening set for summer 2026, featuring around 275 “luxury rooms and suites” and 150 apartments with “the brand’s personalised services.”
The hotel project is being developed alongside Mercan Properties and will reportedly boast “direct access to Praia do Vau” as well as a “wide range of amenities, including the famous Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club, three restaurants, three bars, three outdoor pools, a Rock Spa, gym, Rock Shop, a sports area, beach club and a conference room.”
“We are very excited to expand Hard Rock Hotel’s unparalleled offerings to Portugal, a beautiful country, in 2026,” said Todd Hricko, Senior Vice President and Director of Global Hotel Development at Hard Rock International.
“This new venture will further extend the sophisticated leisure experience that our guests are accustomed to, and love, to another part of the world, while incorporating the fantastic culture of the country,” he added.
The developers stress that Portimão stands out for being an “ideal holiday destination”, being home to “historical ports and a busy marina” and being “internationally recognised as the home of the Algarve International Racetrack, which hosted the F1 Grand Prix of Portugal in 2020 and 2022.
“The town is known for having some of the best beaches in the Algarve region, with an extensive coastline known for its calm, warm and crystal-clear sea. Praia do Vau, where the new Hard Rock Hotel Algarve will be located, is surrounded by copper-toned cliffs, turquoise-blue waters, and a wide selection of restaurants offering a rich variety of fresh fish,” they add.
“The Hard Rock brand is constantly refining and expanding its luxury offerings, and it is a pleasure to be part of this incredible evolution,” said Jordi Vilanova, President of Mercan Properties.
“We are excited to create a unique asset on the shores of Praia do Vau that reflects Portuguese culture and attracts visitors from all over the world. We believe that this partnership between Mercan Properties and Hard Rock International will be a great success in the Algarve and a very positive contribution to the country. The Algarve continues to be a prominent and appealing destination for Mercan, as shown by our investment in the region with four projects. Portugal is undoubtedly a world-class tourist destination,” he added.
The new hotel is expected to create over 400 jobs during its construction and operation starting in 2024.
The Resident has contacted the developers to confirm some of the project’s key details, such as the exact location of the planned hotel.
