December 2025

The Templo Hotel & SPA, located at the Santuário do Bom Jesus, in Braga, was officially inaugurated this Friday, following renovation works valued at three million euros.

The refurbishment project was designed by Braga-born architect Carvalho Araújo, who developed a “contemporary reinterpretation of the building, preserving the authenticity of the space while incorporating solutions that promote comfort, functionality and sustainability.”

In a statement, the Hotéis do Bom Jesus group emphasizes that this architectural approach “reinforces the hotel’s lifestyle concept, prioritizing fluid, natural and sensory environments.”

The hotel features 42 renovated rooms, offering views of the sanctuary — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and over the city of Braga.

“They were designed with carefully selected materials, serene environments and sustainable solutions, reinforcing the hotel’s positioning as a space where well-being is central. Comfortable beds, spacious showers, high-definition TVs and high-quality Wi-Fi ensure that guests find the perfect balance between rest and any work-related needs,” the group notes in the same press release.

The SPA is one of the hotel’s “main distinguishing features,” integrating a sauna, Turkish bath and a sensory circuit with various types of showers that “stimulate the senses through thermal variations, water pressure, aromas, sounds and lighting.”

The indoor swimming pool offers relaxation areas with heated water, water jets and a jacuzzi.

Among the highlights of the renovation, the hotel group also points to the outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views. “We can proudly say it offers one of the best views in Portugal, embracing the entire city of Braga and extending as far as the Atlantic Ocean,” the press release states.

It further adds: “The natural surroundings of Bom Jesus offer outdoor spaces and leisure activities, including walks along the trails of the Santuário — the well-known ‘forest bathing’ experiences — reinforcing the connection between hospitality and nature.”

The group also states that this opening “reinforces Braga and Bom Jesus as a destination of excellence for national and international tourism.”

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Archbishop of Braga, José Cordeiro, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services, Pedro Machado, and the Mayor of Braga, João Rodrigues.

Templo Hotel & SPA is part of the Hotéis do Bom Jesus group, which comprises four hotel units and an events center located around the Santuário.

Source: O Minho (photographs and text).