Harland & Poston Group has been recognised with the prestigious Five-Star Award in the category Best New Hotel Construction & Design Portugal at the International Property Awards 2025–2026. The ceremony took place last Thursday, the 23rd, at the Grosvenor Marriott Hotel in London.

The accolade highlights the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portimão, located in the heart of the city, an urban regeneration project led by Harland & Poston Group through its development arm, HP Invest. The hotel impressed the judging panel for its blend of architectural innovation, design, sustainability and local economic impact, positioning itself as one of the most promising contemporary hospitality references in southern Europe.

Two International Property Awards

Securing the Five-Star Award, the highest distinction in its category, also qualified the hotel for the Regional (Europe) Awards, allowing it to compete at a European level for international recognition among the world’s leading real estate developments.

Commenting on the award, Andreia Leite, Harland & Poston Group’s Business Development Director and project lead, said:

“This award is a source of great pride for our entire team. The Portimão project demonstrates that strategic investment can go far beyond financial returns. What we achieved here was the restoration of confidence, the creation of jobs and the generation of long-term value for the community, which is why this project is so special. Its impact is visible not only in the building itself but also in the renewed quality of its surrounding urban environment. For us, this is the true meaning of development.”

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portimão: From Abandonment to a Five-Star Award Winner

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2026, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portimão has undergone a complete transformation. Before redevelopment, the site consisted of the ruins of the former Hotel Tropimar, a building often occupied informally by drug users and homeless individuals who, during winter, resorted to lighting fires indoors to stay warm. The regeneration addressed these safety concerns, an essential improvement given the presence of a school just across the street, while revitalising local commerce and creating new jobs.

Working closely with regional suppliers, the Group ensured that the majority of the hotel’s construction and equipment utilised Portuguese labour and materials, reinforcing its commitment to the Algarve’s economy.

As completion approaches, the hotel is emerging as a new benchmark for sustainability. It is the first IHG-branded hotel in Portugal to join the Low Carbon Pioneers programme, operating with zero on-site emissions and powered exclusively by renewable energy. The project was designed with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility as guiding principles, setting a new national standard for sustainable hospitality.

Design plays a pivotal role: this is one of the first Holiday Inn Express properties to incorporate IHG’s new Gen 5 Design, a concept that enhances the guest experience through more functional, modern and efficient spaces. Another distinctive feature is the inclusion of a swimming pool and outdoor area — uncommon for this IHG brand, typically associated with urban locations and short stays. This addition broadens the hotel’s appeal, attracting leisure travellers seeking a holiday destination with proximity to Praia da Rocha, combining comfort, recreation and sustainability.

With Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portimão, the Group continues to demonstrate its ability to transform underutilised assets into high-performing, socially responsible projects, further consolidating its position as one of Portugal’s leading forces in real estate and investment.

Pátio do Jordão: A Benchmark in Contemporary Residential Redevelopment

Set within the historic neighbourhood of Lisbon, the Mouraria, Pátio do Jordão has brought a renewed sense of coherence and quality to its immediate surroundings. Now fully completed and occupied, the Pateo stands as a thoughtful reimagining of a once-neglected 19th-century courtyard.

What had long been a fading architectural relic has been carefully revived by the Harland & Poston Group and reshaped into a residential enclave noted for its elegance and purpose. The development comprises 11 bespoke homes, each designed to honour the building’s original character, from its preserved façade and vaulted structures to the distinctive limestone features, while introducing the standards expected of modern urban living.

Contemporary enhancements are discreet yet substantial: reinforced structural stability, improved thermal and acoustic performance, and the use of environmentally responsible materials all contribute to a more resilient building.

Pátio do Jordão is more than a residential project; it is a respectful nod to Lisbon’s architectural lineage, illustrating how sensitive restoration can yield places that feel both enduring and beautifully contemporary.