Hotels Can Be Handmade

The Architect of Atmosphere
With a masterful eye for harmony between past and present, architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho shaped memmo Príncipe Real into a beacon of quiet sophistication. His design, clean, geometric, and strikingly white, gently emerges from its historic surroundings, offering a fresh yet respectful reinterpretation of the neighborhood’s character. A Madrid-born Portuguese architect, and the creative force behind memmo Baleeira and memmo Alfama, his architecture reflects a modernist spirit grounded in place.

A Royal Reimagined A reinterpreted portrait of D. Pedro V by acclaimed artist Carlos Barahona Possollo greets guests at the entrance, setting the tone for the poetic and noble atmosphere within. Titled The Portrait of the Eternal Royal Prince, the painting draws from Winterhalter’s 1854 original, reimagined through Possollo’s distinctive lens. The Lisbon-born painter, known for works held in prestigious collections across Portugal, infuses this piece with both reverence and contemporary subtlety.

Crafted by Hand, Inspired by Time Blending ancient technique with modern sensibility, sculptor Iva Viana brings tactile poetry to memmo Príncipe Real. Her fascination with hand stucco and casting methods breathes life into sculptural elements throughout the hotel. Her studio, founded in Viana do Castelo, explores the tension between old and new, creating textured pieces that speak of heritage and the future in equal measure.

Whimsy in Stillness In an unexpected and quietly surreal gesture, artist Miguel Branco populated Café Príncipe Real with a visual narrative like no other. A series of 42 works, one central painting and 41 unique fragments, introduces monkeys into a human-less dining room, inviting quiet contemplation and a sense of wonder. The large piece anchors the restaurant, while each guest room hosts a smaller echo of the story, forming a subtle thread that connects all spaces.