Portugal's Vila Galé Hotels to Open 500-room Property in Havana

Grace Gonzaga Venancio, Sales Director for Vila Galé Hotels in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States, plays a key role in the global expansion of the Portuguese hotel group.

With 44 hotels worldwide, Vila Galé is not only focused on strengthening its presence in existing destinations but also on opening new ones, particularly in Latin America. “In November, we’ll be opening a new hotel in Brazil, and next year, at least two more will open: one in Portugal and one in Brazil,” she shares enthusiastically.

Brazil has been a fertile ground for Vila Galé, where they operate six all-inclusive resorts. “We are the main resort operator in Brazil, and we are very proud of that,” Gonzaga highlights. The brand not only caters to beach and sun tourism but is also expanding into major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador de Bahia. In these cities, in addition to their hotels, Vila Galé has begun diversifying its offerings with wine production, a venture already successful in Portugal thanks to its three wineries. “We will soon be producing wine in Brazil as well,” she adds.

Gastronomy is another fundamental pillar of the Vila Galé experience. “Gastronomy is always important. It’s part of every guest’s experience,” Gonzaga asserts. The hotels offer a variety of buffets, but the real gem lies in their à la carte options, especially at their Mediterranean cuisine restaurants. “We have a concept we call masafina, featured in many of our hotels, where we serve thin-crust pizzas and beautiful pastas, all made using our own methods,” she explains.

Vila Galé’s expansion doesn’t stop in Brazil. Cuba is a new market in which the brand has decided to invest after years of consideration. “It was an idea we had toyed with for many years. We were going to enter Cuba earlier, but it didn’t happen. Now, we’ve decided to move forward,” Gonzaga reveals. The first hotel in Cuba, Vila Galé Cayo Paredón Grande, is already operational with 638 rooms. “We have 620 standard rooms, 16 deluxe standard rooms, and 2 junior suites, with garden views, full views, and stunning sea views,” she details.

But this is just the beginning. Vila Galé has concrete plans for its next major project in the country. “We are working on a project to open a large hotel in Havana next year, in collaboration with Gaviota. We hope it will be ready by June or July,” Gonzaga states. This new hotel in the Cuban capital will feature over 500 rooms, further solidifying the chain’s presence in the Caribbean.

With its focus on delivering memorable experiences through gastronomy, wine, and quality service, Vila Galé continues to grow in strategic markets while seeking new opportunities, always maintaining the essence that has made it one of Portugal’s leading hotel groups.