Case study: Ege Carpets blends history and luxury at Palácio Ludovice Wine Hotel

The Palácio Ludovice Wine Hotel, located in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, was once the private residence of João Federico Ludovice, architect to King João V. Arriving in Lisbon in the early 1700s, Ludovice was commissioned to bring the king’s grand architectural visions to life. Seeking a personal residence, he found the perfect spot in the city.

Ludovice designed a remarkable building with a façade of five floors, featuring varying heights and dimensions, complemented by stunning balconies that overlook Lisbon. Inside, 18th-century white-and-blue tiles, a chapel adorned with Masonic symbols and a Hebraic inscription, palatial rooms with stucco ceilings, and a majestic staircase all formed part of this unique estate, which occupied an entire block.

After Ludovice’s era, the building housed various institutions, including the headquarters of the police and, more recently, the Port Wine Institute. This rich history played a key role in shaping the design of the hotel today, especially in the use of the Wool Concept carpets created by Ege Carpets, adding a luxurious and sustainable touch to this heritage site.

The palace has been completely renovated into a 61-room boutique hotel, each room designed with luxurious comfort in mind. The interiors include 600 square metres of high-quality Wool Concept carpets made from exquisite pre-dyed wool. The custom carpet designs take insspiration from the surrounding countryside of the Douro Valley. In addition this bespoke range offers unmatched comfort and durability while being sustainably produced, enhancing the eco-conscious design narrative of this luxury hotel.

The renovation was overseen by Miguel Câncio Martins, well-known Portuguese architect and designer, famed for his work on international projects like the Buddha Bar in Paris and the Opium in London. Under his meticulous direction, the hotel preserved many of its original features, including the 18th-century white-and-blue tiles, fresco paintings, and stucco ceilings. The result is a palatial and refined accommodation that respects the building’s history while offering modern luxury.

Wool Concept is Cradle to Cradle and Indoor Air Comfort Gold certified, ensuring a flooring solution that not only performs exceptionally but also aligns with sustainability standards. It provides strong visual storytelling and design freedom, allowing brands to incorporate signature colours or elements from their identity into the custom-made designs.

Whether you’re looking for an infinite colour palette to match your design vision or want to reduce waste through adapted production widths, Wool Concept has the solution. Carpets can be produced in custom widths to reduce installation waste, with options starting from 300 cm to fit rooms perfectly.
Additionally, Wool Concept offers a pre-cut-to-size service for ease of installation, making it particularly useful for rooms and corridors in hotels. The laminated backings, available in both textile and felt, provide superior comfort and improved acoustics, while being more sustainable through the use of regenerated polyester.

The decision-making process for your design is simplified through realistic carpet samples and large-scale paper prints. A small prototype allows you to feel the yarn and evaluate the pattern details, while large paper prints help you visualise the full design scale. At Palácio Ludovice Wine Hotel, the Wool Concept carpets not only add a touch of historical elegance but also provide the comfort and quality guests expect from a luxury hotel, all while aligning with modern sustainability values.

Ege Carpets is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Ege Carpets