Algarve hotel group Details Hotels & Resorts is celebrating a significant milestone this month – the fifth anniversary of the transformative rebirth of the iconic Hotel California in Albufeira.
The occasion was celebrated on Thursday, 17 August, with an exclusive, Latin-infused ‘Savage Soirée’ attended by guests, staff, partners and other group stakeholders.
Originally established in the 1980s, Hotel Califórnia swiftly cemented itself as one of Albufeira’s most sought-after venues, known for its glamorous ambiance, bustling piano bar, chandeliers and cocktails.
Acquired by Details Hotels & Resorts in 2018 following a period of disrepair, the storied hotel underwent an exhaustive refurbishment that resulted in the rebranded adults-only California Urban Beach hotel.
With an investment of approximately €10 million, the hotel’s contemporary reinvention “sought to elevate the guest experience through daring design and a bold, unconventional concept,” the hotel group says. The outcome is the “meticulous transformation of the 73 original rooms into 80 modern havens, including heady (think circular beds and freestanding tub) signature suites.”
According to Details, other standout features include a “pioneering Organic and Vegan SPA, Portugal’s first of its kind, and a stylish rooftop boasting suspended relaxation nets, an open-air gym, Balinese beds, and a cool cocktail bar.
“Revitalising an iconic Albufeira hotel with an audacious, daring, and ambitious project, repositioning the entire offering to clients, competitors, tourism entities, and the local community, all while navigating a pandemic, was a monumental challenge. Today, we can proudly say we’ve succeeded,” says Luciano Hagge, Hotel Manager of California Urban Beach Hotel since its acquisition by Details Hotels & Resorts.
Sustainability is described as being a “top priority at California Urban Beach Hotel, demonstrated through commitments to eliminate plastics, promote responsible water and electricity usage, implement effective waste management, and source local produce, earning the prestigious international Green Key award.”
Francisco Moser, CEO of Details Hotels & Resorts, says: “It was a fantastic Soiree, everyone had an amazing time, and this milestone is the result of the effort of a cohesive team that managed to recoup and maintain Hotel California’s current positioning within this challenging sector.”
Adding to this, Luciano Hagge extended heartfelt gratitude to his team, adding: “Here’s to another five wonderful years!”
