Recently added to the region’s hotel offer, the Meliá São João da Madeira brings new life to the historic building, which dates back to the late 19th century.

Vicaima contributed to the renovation of the century-old Conde Dias Garcia Palace, now transformed into the new Meliá São João da Madeira, with solutions that combine certified performance and architectural integration in a project where heritage and modernity come together.

Located in the heart of the city, the development is the result of the renovation of a historic building of great architectural value, dating back to the late 19th century. The former mansion retains its original façade and the symbolic character that has marked different generations of local history. Having served in such diverse roles as a stately home, a language school, a secondary school and a court, and following a fire that partially destroyed it in 1990, the building is now being given a new lease of life through this restoration project led by the Hoti Hoteis group in collaboration with the award-winning architect Hugo Correia, and has been nominated in the Best 4-Star Hotel category at the 20th edition of the Portugal Travel Awards.

The project combines the original mansion—which houses the communal areas—with a new five-storey contemporary wing featuring glass façades, creating a dialogue between heritage and modernity. With 93 rooms, a restaurant, a spa, an auditorium, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and extensive garden areas, the Meliá São João da Madeira stands as a benchmark in the region’s hospitality sector.

Found in various areas of the hotel, the Portaro® — a system comprising a door, frame and accessories in a single piece — comes in a range of configurations, each tailored to the technical and aesthetic requirements of the respective space. In the room entrances, the Portaro® EI30 AC44dB solution with extension was installed, combining fire resistance of up to 30 minutes with sound insulation of up to 44 decibels, contributing to the safety, privacy and comfort of guests. In the conference room, the double-leaf Portaro® EI30 AC41dB also guarantees high fire-resistant and acoustic performance, whilst facilitating easier movement between communal spaces.

In the technical areas of the development, the Portaro® EI60 AC43dB is also worthy of note; this high-performance solution combines fire resistance of up to 60 minutes with sound insulation, ensuring enhanced protection without compromising the project’s aesthetic integrity. In addition, double-leaf Portaro® EI30 solutions were installed in access areas to service staircases, and the Portaro® FD60 Double Action door in the restaurant kitchen, ensuring ease of movement and safety in high-traffic areas.

Aesthetically, the various elements feature Dekordor® HD Colours Ash Grey coating, a choice that aligns with the contemporary and sophisticated interior design scheme, reinforcing the consistency between the different spaces, where natural materials – such as wood and stone – sit alongside earthy tones and contemporary touches, creating welcoming and balanced environments.

A vision developed in perfect harmony with the concept of Meliá São João da Madeira, which aims to offer an experience where the industrial past meets modern, sensory and sophisticated hospitality.

Vicaima, a leading European player in the development and manufacture of interior doors, technical doors, door frames, wardrobes, panels and furniture pieces, in this project demonstrates, once again, the brand’s ability to deliver on projects of high technical and architectural complexity, whether in a national or international context, combining design, customisation and certified performance in solutions tailored to the demands of the contemporary hospitality industry.

The Meliá São João da Madeira thus stands as a prime example of a renovation project where historical heritage is celebrated without compromising on innovation, thereby creating a destination where history, comfort and modernity coexist.

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