Solar Mendonca Boutique Hotel
Our Story
Since the 1800s
A Family Legacy
in the Heart of Faro
More than a boutique hotel. A story passed through generations.
The building has belonged to the Hélder Mendonça Family for generations; the current owner is José Francisco da Silva Reis.
The family's roots in Faro and São Brás de Alportel can be traced back to the early 1800s. Historical records place their ancestors in the Algarve during the Napoleonic period, when members of the Portuguese court remained in the region after the Royal Family departed for Brazil. For more than two centuries, the Hélder Mendonça Family has been part of Faro's history.
The building itself became one of the city's distinguished manor houses — giving rise to the name Solar Mendonca. Built over three floors, it reflected the lifestyle of the period: commercial activity on the ground floor, the family residence above, and storage space in the attic.
20th Century
A Building That
Helped Shape Faro
During the first half of the 20th century, the ground floor housed Armazém Farense, one of Faro's best-known wholesale businesses.
Supplying shops throughout the city and the surrounding Algarve, the business became an important commercial landmark, particularly during the mid-1900s when large delivery trucks regularly departed from the property.
As Faro evolved, so did the building. In the 1960s, the manor house was converted into a residential guesthouse, while the ground floor was divided into restaurants and an optical store that became familiar to generations of locals.
Throughout every chapter, the building remained an integral part of everyday life in Faro.
2016 – 2024
Restoring
a Landmark
In 2016, Hélder Mendonça acquired the property from his godfather, ensuring the building remained within the family.
Together with architect Ana Teresa Santos, an ambitious restoration began with one clear objective: to recover the dignity and character of the original façade while creating a boutique hotel unlike any other in Faro.
Behind the restored exterior, every suite was individually designed, inspired by the spacious Presidential Suites Hélder experienced while travelling — combining generous living spaces with contemporary comfort while respecting the building's historic identity.
The restoration required years of structural work, heritage approvals and archaeological supervision before construction could finally be completed at the end of 2024.
On 1 January 2025, Solar Mendonca Boutique Hotel welcomed its very first guest.
Today
History Lives Here
Today, Solar Mendonca offers something increasingly rare. Not simply accommodation, but the opportunity to stay inside a building that has witnessed over a century of Faro's commercial, social and family life.
Every restored window, every corridor and every suite reflects a commitment to preserving the past while offering the comfort expected by today's traveller.
Solar Mendonca is still, above all else, a family home at heart — now shared with guests from around the world.
Awarded by our guests
What Sets Us Apart
Exceptional Hospitality
Rated #1 in friendliness by our guests — because a genuine welcome makes all the difference.
Premium Comfort
#1 in comfort and luxury — premium bedding, thoughtful design, and total relaxation.
Impeccable Cleanliness
#1 in cleanliness — every detail cared for, every space spotless, every time.