Located in the heart of Elvas, the Travassos 11 Guest House is the luxurious end product of the transformation of an old 18th century Palace.
This local accommodation was born from the will of Álvaro Roquette and is the harmonious combination of an environment of refinement and exclusivity with the historical wealth and tranquility that are characteristic of the Alentejo region.
For the owner of Local Accommodation, Álvaro Roquette “First of all, our intention was to make this old palace our private weekend getaway. Then, the building’s charm took us away and we decided to go ahead with a project that was a special place for many more people, from couples to families. Thus, within the walls that tell stories of the defense of the kingdom of Portugal, Travassos 11 was born.
The restoration of the mansion on Rua da Figueira, part of the Portugal 2020 program, sought to maintain classic elements of a stately time, in absolute respect for the original features of the building, such as the atmosphere of sophistication, the tile wainscoting, the chandeliers, the high ceilings and the wooden shutters, taking the guest on a real journey through time.
The modernity of the spaces was brought by the line of the renowned architect Manuel Aires Mateus, one of the revolutionary references of the new European architecture and winner of the Pessoa Prize in 2017. His design style is easily recognized in Travassos 11, from the aesthetic minimalism and elegance of the light tones used, the enhancement of materials in their purest state such as stone and wood.
In this project, providing an escape from the hustle and bustle and allowing a visual rest of the daily images were his main guidelines. Some of Aires Mateus’ best known works are the Museum of Architecture in Lisbon, the Rectory of the Universidade Nova, the Sines Arts Center and the Museu do Farol in Cascais.
Apart from the most historic area of the building, the design concept of the rooms and some common areas leans towards a contemporary and minimalist inspiration, with the use of original elements of the space such as the brick and the wooden floor. The warm white of the walls, the linens, velvets, silks and tow are the invitation to the refuge of the city bustle.
“As for the interiors, we wanted to merge the classic style with the contemporary, always preserving the aesthetic identity aspects of the building, which are so characteristic of it. We wanted to recreate the environment of the 18th century, from the mirrors already hidden by the flaws of mercury, to wooden floors with skates, culminating in the iconic tiles that tell stories from other times ”.
The property comprises a total of nine rooms in the deluxe, family double type and an apartment with one bedroom. All rooms are decorated differently, always highlighting the concept of luxury and comfort combined with the original memories of this 17th century building.
Travassos 11 also has a private outdoor garden area with a salt water pool, supported by a living room with a bar area, which allows guests to enjoy the tranquility of the city of Raiana, all year round. In addition, the house has a terrace overlooking the town houses, with entrance to the period rooms.
For those who want more peaceful and balanced moments, the facilities also offer yoga classes, massages and body treatments.
On the property you can also find a chapel in memory of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, still undergoing interventions by the hand of contemporary artist Adriana Molder.
With a total area of 1500 m2, this emblematic guest house, which is located next to the door of São Vicente, is less than 500 meters from the Castle of Elvas and just 15 minutes from Badajoz.
