Ombria Algarve’s five-star hotel is celebrating its grand opening
The five-star hotel Viceroy at Ombria Algarve in Portugal, part of Pontos’ portfolio company and regional development project Ombria Algarve, has opened its doors to the public and is celebrating its grand opening today. Ombria is an exclusive and serene, yet vibrant leisure destination with the feel of a typical Portuguese village. The hotel is located in a serene environment and operated by the US Viceroy Hotels & Resorts. The 153-acre area is situated near the Loulé village, 30 minutes from Faro Airport. The investment totals 400 million euros, making it one of the largest Finnish investments in Portugal. The completed stage is the first one, and it marks a significant part of a multistage project.
The idea behind Ombria was to create a village-like destination surrounded by a natural landscape to celebrate locality and the true Algarve instead of opting for a traditional vacation village. Communality with the village nearby is a significant part of Ombria’s operations – for example, partners, restaurant ingredients and construction materials are largely local.
Ombria is Pontos’ long-term project. The design and development of the area began in 2009, and a regional development organization has been developed from the start. Actual construction work for the hotel began in 2019, and Viceroy was selected as the hotel’s operator, combining Algarve’s rural environment with high-class service. “Ombria’s story began with a dream of building an oasis of serenity, where nature, wellbeing and luxury come together. People seek the peace of nature and want to experience authenticity without compromising good service and high quality. In this, we have succeeded well, and collaboration with the town of Loulé has been smooth, even though the permit and inquiry processes have been very long during the project’s design and execution. Viceroy is the perfect partner to create an authentic and superior experience for all visitors,” says Timo Kokkila, Member of Ombria Algarve’s Board of Directors.
The area includes a golf course awarded as Europe’s best in November 2024, and also golf players have ranked it as Europe’s 10th best golf course. In addition, the area offers wellbeing services from yoga to a holistic spa. Collaboration with the local community is a central part of Ombria’s identity, and visitors’ experiences are guided by local residents. The area and its surroundings provide opportunities for harvesting honey, weaving baskets, wine and olive oil tasting, bird watching, exploring cycling routes, horseback riding, stargazing with a telescope, making boat trips and making bread, chocolate and ceramics. The area is located in Algarve, which offers a huge selection of activities for travelers.
Particular attention has been paid to sustainable development and environmental responsibility in Ombria’s design and construction. Ombria is committed to constructing Nearly-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), which consume very little energy and cover the majority of their energy needs with renewable energy sources. Ombria has its own nursery garden, and 700 oaks have been planted in the area. The area utilizes solar and geothermal power, and sustainability has guided the entire design process.
The backbone of the persistent development work has been belief in the area’s market potential. Travel in the Algarve area has grown steadily throughout the 21st century, and the market has become stable. “Portugal’s outlook for the economy and travel is good – the GDP is growing, while inflation is not. In 2024, Algarve saw 9 million tourists, and Portugal’s travel revenue is expected to grow by 9 percent in 2025,” Kokkila continues.
