October 8th marked the first chapter in the Algarve region for Mercan Properties Group, with the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the first stone of the Lagos Marina Hotel project targeting an investment of 107.8 million euros. This development in Lagos, Algarve, will result in two hotels: the five-star Lagos Marina Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, and the four-star Hilton Garden Inn Lagos.
The project, which is the result of urban rehabilitation work and has an opening date scheduled for 2026, joins the pipeline of four other developments that Mercan has under development in the region—such as the Alvor Beach Hotel, the Hotel Indigo Faro Ribeirinha, the Marriott Lagos, and the Hard Rock Hotel Algarve. It is worth remembering that the group also has another development already in operation in the Algarve, the Hotel Califórnia Urban Beach, located on Praia dos Pescadores in Albufeira.
The construction phase, which is expected to last for around two years, is expected to create around 150 jobs. The future operationalization of the assets, which will be managed by AHM – Ace Hospitality Management, is expected to create approximately 188 jobs. The future Lagos Marina Hotel will have 180 rooms spread over four floors and a total area of 14,776 square meters. The hotel will have a restaurant and two bars, one of which will be located on the terrace with an infinity pool, a spa, fitness facilities, and a second pool on the ground floor.
The Hilton Garden Inn Lagos will offer 90 rooms, 27 of which will be suites with kitchenettes, in a total gross area of 7,505 square meters. Facilities such as a bar, restaurant, self-service shop with 24-hour service, gym, and outdoor pool are also planned. The hotels will also have meeting spaces, as well as more than 160 parking spaces.
With these two hotels, the Mercan group claims to “reinforce” its partnership with the Hilton brand, following the launches of the Sé Catedral Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and the Hilton Garden Inn Évora, as stated in a press release. Operating in Portugal since 2015, the Mercan Properties Group, which originated in Canada, claims to have already invested around 1.2 billion euros in the country, through 32 projects in the tourism and hotel sector spread across several regions of Portugal. The group also claims to have created “more than 600 permanent jobs” over the years.
