Portugal’s first “Ibis Budget” hotel just opened outside the city of Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia with 95 rooms. It provides excellent access to the historic centre of Porto and reflects the commitment of the Accor Group in the segment of super economic hotels with a modern type of offer: innovative and highly competitive.
The group has launched a fresh concept for the new Ibis Budget hotels(formerly Etap) based on modernity, simplicity and well-being. These three elements make the new brand “Ibis Budget” stand out: "Essential comfort at a budget price".
The award-winning cocoon concept  forms a unique experience in the budget hotel segment:
- More stylish: rounded shapes, wood and soft colours.
- More atmosphere: individual and ambient lighting concept.
- More comfort: a soft duvet, parquet style flooring, a spacious shower.
- More functionality.
- Eco-friendly building material.

The environment being a major concern of the group is taken into account for all of Accor’s new openings and renovations. The architects, Neuparth - Atelier de arquitectura, accommodate these requirements in their planning. The hotel is equipped with efficient boilers and LEDs in its interior. A centralized technical management system optimizes the use of different energy-using equipment, including the air conditioners and boilers. The Ibis Budget Porto Gaia has solar panels for heating domestic hot water and a ventilated façade made of Alucobond, allowing better energy performance and acoustics. The Alucobond aluminium composite panels in the colours Spectra Autumn and Spectra Jewel support the modern and fresh design. Both colours provide a subtle changing colour effect. Smooth colour changes depend on the viewing angle and light incidence and thus transform the look-and-feel of the building’s exterior.

The Alucobond spectra surfaces are now complemented with the new colours Galaxy Blue, White Gold, Midnight Copper, Desert Gold and Lava Red and provide even more freedom to let design ideas become true. Fabricator and Installer, MNL from Porto explains: “The new spectra colours perfectly complement 3A Composites’ offering. The huge colour variety definitely makes it stand out compared to competition. Additionally, the Alucobond panels can easily be processed into flat, angled or bended shapes that make every building stand out in its own way. Moreover, the rear-ventilated façade system supports energy saving concepts as it does at the new Ibis Budget hotel.”