Redefining ‘The Vintage’ Hotel, Lisbon
Bomporto Hotels asked Foster & Bloom to apply its local focus and attention to detail to The Vintage Hotel in Lisbon. This new acquisition by Bomporto required a total refurbishment of all rooms, public & restaurant areas and spa; with a brief to allow guests to become part of something unique to their Lisbon location — ‘tapped in’ to the city’s cultural heart and soul.
This second collaboration between the hotel group and creative consultant Samantha Lawrie of Foster & Bloom aims to build on their first partnership in Lisbon, for sister hotel The Lumiares.
Foster & Bloom approached Lisbon local, Daniela Francheschini of Quiet Studios, to design & create, curate and oversee construction of the hotel’s top-to-bottom refurbishment. The pair set out to redefine the term ‘vintage’ in a contemporary way. Experts in sourcing furniture pieces from the mid-century, Quiet Studios offered the perfect solution to the task set by Foster & Bloom: to ensure each guest’s room would include a one-off, vintage piece.
Every room at The Vintage now has its own unique showcase for local products – a signature midcentury bar cart, sourced individually by Quiet Studios, and each trolley showcases a trove of local products, both complimentary and for retail purchase, curated by Foster & Bloom.
Soul and authenticity is what Foster & Bloom sought to add to The Vintage Hotel experience. To that end, the hotel’s minibar offering was completely rethought. Star of the signature bar cart is guests’ do-it-yourself complimentary gin & tonic kit; all ingredients needed – even an ice bucket – for guests to create their own ‘Madmen’ moment in the comfort of their room, before heading up to the hotel’s ‘V’ Rooftop Bar. The lower tray of each bar trolley cart houses a host of local treats available for purchase, especially selected for The Vintage by Foster & Bloom.
Materials and contents of each room have been thoughtfully co-ordinated and chosen. Guest services books are bespoke designs by Emilio Braga, and even complimentary pencils have been customised for the hotel by Viarco; both family-owned traditional Portuguese makers, in a collaboration by Foster & Bloom for Bomporto. Room amenities are by iconic Portuguese soap & fragrance brand, Claus Porto.
Attention to design detail and local craftsmanship at every turn makes for an inspiring stay. Graphic artwork lining the walls of the hotel and its 56-rooms by Brian de Graft, Joao Rei, Margarita Fleming and others was sourced especially for The Vintage in a 3-way curatorial collaboration between Omey Projects, Quiet Studios & Foster & Bloom. Lisboeta artists and ceramicists Branca Cuvier, Anna Westerlund and Cecile Mestelan have been commissioned to create bespoke pieces for the hotel.
Developing a new marketing concept for The Vintage, briefing and overseeing the redesign of the hotel’s new website and the creation of a pop-up retail ‘cabinet of curiosities’ will round out Foster & Bloom’s involvement in overseeing this exciting, year-long refurbishment design project for Bomporto Hotels group.
