Real Hotels Group now has 11 properties certified with the Green Key 2025 label

Green Key

Real Hotels Group is proud to announce that 11 of its properties have been awarded the international Green Key 2025 certification. This distinction recognizes excellence in environmental management and sustainable practices, such as energy and water conservation, as well as waste management.

“This milestone reinforces our commitment to making sustainability one of the foundational pillars of our hotel operations. We believe that the future of tourism depends on our ability to create unique experiences while respecting the planet and the communities in which we operate,” says João Marques, Operations Director of Real Hotels Group.

This award, granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and coordinated in Portugal by ABAAE – Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação, involves strict criteria, including an on-site visit to verify compliance with the established requirements and implemented practices.

The certified properties are:
Holiday Inn Express Hotels: Porto City Center, Porto Exponor, Lisbon Alfragide, Lisbon Airport, Lisbon Avenida Liberdade, and Lisbon Plaza Saldanha.
Maxime Boutique Hotel Avenida da Liberdade
Holiday Inn Algarve Albufeira
Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort Hotel & Spa
Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa
Hotel Real Oeiras

With this achievement, the Real Hotels Group reinforces its commitment to sustainability, consolidating its position as a benchmark for good environmental practices in the Portuguese hospitality industry. 🌱

We are the No. 1 company in Tourism and Hospitality — and one of the 20 most attractive companies to work for in Portugal!

Best company to work for 2025

We are proud to announce that Real Hotels Group has been awarded 1st place in the “Tourism and Hospitality” category and achieved 12th place in the ranking of the 20 most attractive companies to work for in Portugal!
This prestigious recognition was revealed in the 2025 Randstad Employer Brand Research, which analyzes the most desirable companies among Portuguese workers.

Standing out among giants
Real Hotels Group is proud to be among the awarded companies — a group mostly made up of multinationals and large national corporations. Securing 12th place nationally and 1st in our sector is a clear testament to our commitment to excellence and to the well-being of our people.

Industry leader in Tourism and Hospitality
Reaching the top of our sector is a tremendous source of pride. This recognition highlights our leadership and ongoing dedication to providing exceptional experiences for both our team and our guests.

About the study
The Randstad Employer Brand Research is a global benchmark for evaluating the best companies to work for. It considers the key factors valued by employees in Portugal when choosing an employer. Being recognized alongside such prominent companies is an honor and a validation of our continuous efforts to create a positive, inclusive, and motivating work environment.

Thank you
Thank you to Randstad, and above all, thank you to everyone who is part of Real Hotels Group. It’s because of people like you that we continue to build a workplace driven by passion, pride, and purpose every single day.

Tourism Lead Awards 2025

GRANDE REAL SANTA EULÁLIA AND GRANDE REAL VILLA ITALIA NOMINATED FOR THE 2025 TOURISM LEADERS AWARDS

It is with great pride that we share that two units of the Real Hotels Group are nominated for the Tourism Leaders Awards – TNews 2025, which recognize excellence and innovation in the tourism sector in Portugal.

The Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa is nominated in the category of Best Family Hotel, standing out for its offering designed for families, where comfort, fun and a privileged location next to the beach create unique experiences for all ages.
The Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa, in Cascais, is a finalist in the category of Best Luxury Hotel, reaffirming its status as a reference in the luxury segment, with personalized service, excellent facilities and an environment that combines history, sophistication and sea views.

These nominations reflect the daily work of our teams and the commitment to quality that guides our performance.

Voting is open until May 28, 2025 and the awards ceremony will be on June 5, at the Jerónimo Martins Grand Auditorium of Nova SBE, in Carcavelos.

Your support is important.

If you recognize the excellence of our hotels and the hospitality we strive to offer every day, we invite you to vote for these nominations. Each vote is a valuable contribution to give visibility to what we do best.

IMPORTANT NOTE: to be able to vote you must be a subscriber to the TNews newsletter [ click here and subscribe in the top right corner ]

🔗 Vote here

Real Palácio and Grande Real Villa Itália recognized with the HEART “We Share” seal by AHP

Real Palácio and Grande Real Villa Itália hotels have been awarded the HEART “We Share” – Social Responsibility seal by AHP – the Portuguese Hospitality Association, during the 10th edition of the HEART Seal ceremony, held as part of BTL – Lisbon Tourism Exchange.

This distinction acknowledges the commitment of both hotels to social responsibility and sustainability, as part of the HEART – Hospitality, Environment, and Responsible Tourism Program, created by AHP in 2013. The “We Share” seal highlights hotels that excel in donating goods, supporting communities, and promoting social initiatives, reinforcing the hospitality sector’s role as a driver of change towards a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry.

AHP President Bernardo Trindade emphasized the growing importance of this recognition: “Sustainability and social responsibility are not just trends – they are fundamental commitments to the future of tourism. The HEART Seals recognize hotels that embrace this challenge and demonstrate that Portuguese hospitality is at the forefront of the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive sector.”

Since its inception, the HEART Program has facilitated the donation of over 260,000 goods to more than 180 institutions, contributing to a circular economy and more efficient resource management. In addition to goods donation, the initiative has also promoted inclusive employment and corporate volunteering, in partnership with organizations such as the Portuguese Council for Refugees and RedEmprega.

The awarding of the HEART “We Share” seal to Real Palácio and Grande Real Villa Itália reinforces Real Hotels Group’s commitment to social responsibility and the sustainability of tourism in Portugal. This distinction recognizes the efforts of these hotels in promoting solidarity initiatives, demonstrating that hospitality can and should be a driving force for a fairer and more sustainable society.

Real Hotels Group will be present at TEDxLisboa with a special activation

This Saturday, Real Hotels Group will be present at TEDxLisboa with an exclusive brand activation! During the event, participants will have the opportunity to taste our brand new personalized teas, specially created to provide a unique experience of flavor and well-being.

This initiative reinforces our commitment to innovation and hospitality, bringing the essence of Real Hotels Group to new audiences.

About our infusions:

LIFE, HISTORY AND FLAVORS.
A journey through the seasons of life, marked by unforgettable experiences.

Spring
BIRTH · YOUTH · LEARNING · DISCOVERY
Real Marina Hotel & Spa (Olhão)
Infusion of Lemongrass, Lemon Balm, Thyme Bela-luz, Orange, Mango, Calamint

Summer
MATURITY · ENERGY · PASSION · PRODUCTIVITY
Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa (Algarve)
Infusion of Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Thyme, Orange, Pomegranate, Agastache-Aniseed

Autumn
REFLECTION · TRANSITION · INTROSPECTION · RENEWAL
Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa (Cascais)
Infusion of Aquatic Mint, Orange, Lemon, Persimmon, Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Olive, Basil

Winter
WISDOM · CONTEMPLATION · KNOWLEDGE · SERENITY
Hotel Real Palácio (Lisbon)
Infusion of Pennyroyal, Linden, Lavender, Hollyhock, Apple, Raspberry, Strawberry, Beetroot, Carrot, Cinnamon

Award Winner 2025

Condé Nast Johansens

It is with great honor and gratitude that yesterday we received an incredible recognition from Condé Nast Johansens for “Best for Romance”, for our Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa.

This award is more than just a title — it is a testament to the unwavering dedication, passion, and love that our entire team pours into every moment of our guests’ experiences.

Grande Real Villa Itália holds a story that is steeped in beauty, elegance, and history, qualities that capture the essence of romance itself.

Our hotel is more than just a destination, it is a place where couples come to create memories, celebrate milestones, and write chapters of their love stories.

This recognition belongs not just to the hotel but to every staff member whose warmth and attention to detail make the experience unforgettable for our guests.

Thank you to our guests, we are deeply grateful for trusting us with your cherished moments. Their joy is the greatest reward, and their stories inspire us to continue elevating our services and nurturing an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and affection.

And finally to Condé Nast Johansens, we thank you for this incredible acknowledgment. It is both humbling and motivating, reinforcing our commitment to continue being a sanctuary for love, connection, and unforgettable experiences.

Here’s to love, to our wonderful guests, and to everyone who believes in the magic of creating romantic moments that last a lifetime. Thank you

We are the 8th most attractive company to work for in Portugal!

We are pleased to announce that Real Hotels Group has been recognized as the 8th most attractive company to work for in Portugal! This prestigious recognition was revealed in the 2024 Randstad – Employer Brand Research study, which analyzes the companies most desired by Portuguese workers.

Standout among giants
Real Hotels Group is proud to be among the 20 award-winning companies, a group made up mainly of multinationals and large national companies. This eighth place is proof of our commitment to excellence and the well-being of our employees.

Top 3 in the Tourism, Sports and Entertainment sector
Furthermore, we are honored to be part of the TOP 3 in the tourism, sports and entertainment sector. This additional recognition highlights our leadership role and our dedication to providing exceptional experiences for both our employees and our customers.

About the study
The Randstad – Employer Brand Research study is a global reference in evaluating the best companies to work for. The most important factors in an employment decision are considered, according to the perception of workers in Portugal. Being recognized alongside renowned companies is a privilege and a validation of our continuous effort to provide a positive and motivating work environment.

Thanks
Thank you to Randstad and thank you to those who every day make Real Hotels Group a place where people are happy to work and where the most important resources are human ones.

See the results of the study here »

“Reciclar é Alimentar” Project – 2023

At Real Hotels Group we integrate social and environmental concerns into our daily operations, so the involvement in the “Reciclar é Alimentar” Project comes very naturally.

We are proud to thank our employees at Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa, Real Marina Hotel & Spa, Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa, Grande Real Villa Itália Hotel & Spa and Hotel Real Oeiras, who recycled 2006 kg of Nespresso capsules during 2023, and contributed to a global donation of 92,5 ton of rice to the Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome.

The “Reciclar é Alimentar” Project was born in Portugal as a way to reuse coffee grounds and has already been replicated in several European countries. When you deliver your capsules for recycling, a Nespresso partner separates the sludge from the aluminum. The aluminum follows the recycling line and is integrated into new objects and the sludge integrates an agricultural compound that is used in rice fields, in Alcácer do Sal. This rice is later purchased by Nespresso and donated to the Food Bank Against Hunger.

It is part of our hotel spirit to take care of people and places. With attitude, commitment, and passion we will create a better world.

Mudar para Melhor – The stars behind the scenes of hospitality

It was with great pride that our General Housekeeper, Paula Henriques, was invited to an episode of the program “Muda para Melhor”, by Fátima Lopes, to talk about all the challenges, functions and importance of House Keeping in Hotels.

Kudos to our dear Paula, we are proud to have you with us every day!

See the video here!

First underwater exhibition in Portuguese maritime territory

Santa Eulália Beach receives underwater exhibition

Starting in May, Praia de Santa Eulália will host the first underwater exhibition in portuguese maritime territory.

The works were created by Vhils from pieces coming from EDP’s deactivated thermoelectric power stations in order to generate a new artificial reef. They will be submerged at a depth of about 12 meters and will only be visited by qualified divers.

The installation will have no negative impact on the ecosystem, representing an environmental asset that will contribute positively to the development of the local ecosystem.

The EDP Art Reef was developed with the support of entities such as the Municipality of Albufeira, Turismo de Portugal and CCMar (University of the Algarve), and validated by the Directorate General of Natural Resources and the Portuguese Environment Agency, as well as other competent entities.

Starting in May

Location: Santa Eulália Beach, Albufeira, in front of the Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa
Free | Only visitable by divers
Vhils, artistic name of Alexandro Farto, is an urban artist known for his public murals and art installations.