Julio Delgado, Chief Executive Officer, Ombria Resort

Ombria Resort, the new world-leading luxury real estate development in the heart of the Algarve, recently unveiled the design ethos behind its first phase, in partnership with WATG, WATG’s interior design firm Wimberly Interiors, and Portuguese architects PROMONTORIO.

With an initial investment of €100 million, Ombria Resort’s first development phase in the Algarve will welcome the arrival of a new five-star Viceroy hotel, Viceroy at Ombria Resort, which will feature 76 luxury guest rooms and suites in addition to 65 branded residences, the Viceroy Residences at Ombria Resort.

The overall design aesthetic draws inspiration from the features, forms, material and themes of the authentic Barrocal sub-region of the Algarve, creating the Resort’s overall ethos of ‘Carved by Nature’. The vision is to create a new sustainable luxury destination, promoting and supporting the heart of the Algarve area, boosting the local economy, enhancing the area’s culture and traditional heritage by embracing local craftsmen and their knowledge of materials. Designed as an elegant Portuguese village with all the charm and character of a long-established settlement, the graceful and considered design of Viceroy at Ombria Resort hotel and Viceroy Residences will reflect the surrounding architecture of the interior of the Algarve, while echoing the style of nearby traditional towns.

What was your background in hospitality prior to your role with Ombria Resort?
My background is steeped in the hospitality industry looking after hotels and globally renowned resort developments predominantly in Spain.

I first started as an Assistant Manager at the Meliá Príncipe Sol in Malaga and then moved to The San Roque Clube Resort in Sotogrande which was the official hotel for the Ryder Cup and a member of Preferred Hotels of the World. I then opened Santa Clara Golf Resort in Marbella as the General Manager and also worked with top resorts like La Cala Resort which is the biggest resort in Spain with a five star hotel and over 600 real estate units as their General Manager. In March 2008, I joined La Manga Golf Resort which is the largest and top leisure sport resort in Europe as their Managing Director, where I worked for three years. In 2011, I was offered the position as CEO at PGA Catalunya Resort which has the number one golf course in Spain and we developed as a leading global resort development. While I was at PGA Catalunya Resort we opened Hotel Camiral which is Girona’s only five-star hotel and member of Leading Hotels of the World.

In October 2015, I joined the team at Ombria Resort as their CEO developing this exclusive luxury resort stretching across 150 hectares in the inner Algarve.

What does your current position involve?

I am the CEO of Ombria Resort. I joined the team in 2015 and oversee the planning and development of the overall resort, working closely with the Finnish Investment Fund, Pontos Group on the development of this exclusive resort.

Opening in early 2020, Ombria Resort will be designed to the highest international standards of design, service, quality and state-of-the-art facilities available both within the resort and locally. We started the first phase of the construction in the last quarter of 2015 and are working closely with Viceroy Hotels and Resorts, who will manage the five-star luxury hotel and residences which will be located at the heart of Ombria Resort.

Can you describe the design ethos of Ombria Resort?

Ombria Resort’s overall design aesthetic draws inspiration from the features, forms, material and themes of the authentic Barrocal sub-region of the Algarve, creating the overall Resort ethos of ‘Carved by Nature’.

All designers and architects involved in Ombria Resort are operating with a shared vision: to create a new sustainable luxury destination, promoting and supporting the heart of the Algarve area, boosting the local economy, enhancing the area’s culture and traditional heritage by embracing local craftsmen and their knowledge of materials, perfected over centuries.

Who is involved in the design process of Ombria Resort?

The master plan and the design concept of the 5-star Viceroy at Ombria Resort hotel and the Viceroy Residences were conceived by WATG, whilst the interior design of the hotel and residences were developed by Wimberly Interiors (part of WATG). With over 70 years of design excellence, WATG and Wimberly have become the world’s leading design consultants for urban, tourism and resort destinations.

Local Portuguese architects, PROMONTORIO are responsible for the architectural build of the Viceroy at Ombria Resort hotel, the Alcedo Villas and the Oriole Village. PROMONTORIO is a Portuguese full-service architecture, planning, landscaping, interior and graphic design firm that has become one of Portugal’s leading design consultants.

The interiors of Viceroy at Ombria Resort, designed by Wimberly Interiors, are fully in keeping with the overall resort concept. Locally sourced materials are used throughout, opting for reclaimed materials wherever possible.

What are the personality traits that define a successful and happy hotel proprietor, in your opinion?

Passion, knowledge of the industry, driven, innovative and collaborative.