The former Casa do Vale Dourado, also known as the Solar dos Condes de Penha Garcia, will be transformed into a boutique hotel, with the opening planned for 2028.

The project will also mark the debut of Handwritten Collection, a boutique hotel brand from the Accor group, in the Iberian Peninsula.

The 40-hectare property will centre around its historic palace, which will be carefully restored. According to Portuguese tourism publication Turisver, the building will house the hotel's reception, library, lounges, bar and restaurant, as well as 12 suites.

Once completed, the hotel will offer a total of 81 rooms. A further 41 rooms will be created inside a restored granite warehouse, while another 28 rooms will be spread across two-storey family villas designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.

Guests will also have access to a range of wellness facilities, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Turkish bath, massage rooms and a gym.

One of the project's biggest attractions is its location. Surrounded by the Serra da Estrela and Serra da Gardunha mountain ranges and overlooking the Cova da Beira plain, the hotel will provide an ideal base for visitors looking to explore the region through hiking, nature experiences and other outdoor adventure activities.

The historic estate has witnessed its share of challenges over the years. In December 1998, part of the property was destroyed by a fire, but the palace survived and is now set to be carefully restored. The name "Vale Dourado" ("Golden Valley") is inspired by the landscape in autumn, when the falling leaves turn the valley shades of gold.

The hotel will be managed by Amazing Evolution, with the opening currently scheduled for 2028.