Nobu Hospitality is expanding its presence in Portugal with plans for a new luxury resort at Monte Rei in the Eastern Algarve, combining a 100-room hotel with a signature restaurant, branded villas and residences.
The project is expected to begin construction in 2027 and welcome its first guests in 2029. It will become Nobu’s second destination in Portugal after the previously announced Nobu Hotel Lisbon, giving the brand both an urban and resort presence in the country.
The development will form the centerpiece of a wider investment program led by Portuguese real estate company Norfin. That program will include hospitality, residential living, leisure facilities and future additions such as a beach club.
Monte Rei covers more than 1,000 acres of countryside near Vila Nova de Cacela, close to the Spanish border. The estate is already known internationally for its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, residential community and reputation for privacy and high-end service.
A Nobu Resort Built Around Golf and Year-Round Living
The new Nobu Hotel will feature 100 rooms and suites, a signature Nobu restaurant and a collection of guest amenities designed for longer resort stays. The project will also include approximately 21,000 square meters of Nobu-branded villas and residences available for sale.
That residential component is central to the development. Rather than operating only as a traditional hotel, the project is designed to create a year-round luxury destination for hotel guests, homeowners, golf members and long-stay visitors.
Nobu Hospitality CEO Trevor Horwell said Monte Rei offers a rare combination of natural scenery, privacy and established credibility in golf and residential living. The partnership gives Nobu an opportunity to adapt its hospitality, dining and design style to the character of the Eastern Algarve.
The project will be designed by DSA Architects and Rockwell Group, a long-standing Nobu partner responsible for many of the brand’s hotels and restaurants. The design team will be tasked with integrating Nobu’s understated visual identity into the surrounding landscape rather than creating a resort disconnected from its setting.
Why the Eastern Algarve Is Attracting Luxury Investment
The Eastern Algarve has traditionally received less international attention than resort areas around Albufeira, Lagos and Vilamoura. Its appeal is based more on quieter beaches, countryside, golf and proximity to Spain than on dense nightlife or large-scale tourism.
For Nobu, that creates an opportunity to target travelers seeking privacy and destination-focused luxury. Monte Rei already has a reputation among golfers and second-home owners, reducing the need to build awareness from scratch.
Norfin CEO Miguel Mateus described the agreement as an important milestone in Monte Rei’s development. The company wants to broaden the estate beyond golf and residential property by adding internationally recognized hospitality, dining and leisure experiences.
The project also reflects the continued growth of branded residences, which allow hotel groups to extend their names into privately owned real estate. Buyers gain access to recognizable service standards and amenities, while developers benefit from the pricing power and global reach of a luxury brand.
Nobu was founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and film producer Meir Teper. It has grown from a restaurant concept into a global lifestyle brand spanning hotels, residences and dining destinations across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East.
At Monte Rei, Nobu will be relying on more than celebrity recognition. The project combines golf, real estate, dining and hospitality in a destination designed to attract visitors throughout the year, not only during the Algarve’s peak summer months.
