Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection celebrates 25 years of history as a landmark of hospitality in Santiago de Compostela.
There are places that become part of a city’s history, and others that, over time, become part of its very identity. This year, Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collectioncelebrates its 25th anniversary, firmly established as a unique destination where the city’s rich heritage coexists with a contemporary approach to hospitality.
Over the past quarter-century, ACHM Hotels by Marriott, a leading hotel management company in Southern Europe, has played a key role in the hotel’s evolution and consolidation, helping preserve its essence while positioning it as a benchmark for hospitality in Santiago de Compostela.
ACHM Hotels by Marriott has successfully combined the property’s historic character with a modern vision of hospitality, strengthening its connection with Santiago de Compostela. This shared journey has transformed the hotel into a meeting place for both visitors and locals alike.
Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
25 Years of History
In the words of Antonio Catalán, Chairman of ACHM Hotels by Marriott:“Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection is one of those properties that perfectly represents our vision of hospitality: respecting the history of its surroundings and the identity of the destination to create a truly distinctive guest experience. Today, we celebrate many things: a long journey that we are especially proud of, our ability to continue evolving as a company, and the opportunity to keep building the future in a city as special to me as Santiago de Compostela. I also maintain a very personal connection with the city through the Ruta Xacobea in Camino de Santiago, which I have been walking for many years.”, which I have been walking for many years.”
25th Anniversary Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
Likewise, Pablo Guitián, General Manager of Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection, adds:“Palacio del Carmen cannot be understood without Santiago, and Santiago cannot be understood without Palacio del Carmen. For 25 years, we have worked and grown alongside this city, witnessing its transformation and its consolidation as a leading international destination. For those of us who work here, every guest, every celebration, and every story that has passed through the hotel forms part of our journey. Reaching this 25-year milestone allows us to celebrate everything we have experienced while embracing an important challenge: continuing to shape the future of Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection, always with respect for its history and for what makes it truly unique.”.”
The anniversary celebration took place on September 30 and brought together representatives from Galicia’s institutional, business, and tourism sectors in a commemorative event honoring the hotel’s history. Among those in attendance were Goretti Sanmartín, Mayor of Santiago de Compostela, and Alfonso Rueda, President of the Regional Government of Galicia, who joined the hotel team and ACHM Hotels by Marriott in celebrating this special milestone.
25th Anniversary Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
Early Years: From Industrial Facility to Place of Hospitality
Located in the historic setting of O Carme de Abaixo and the Sarela River, the building’s story began long before it became a hotel.
Its origins are closely linked to Santiago’s industrial and artisan heritage. The property was originally an 18th-century tannery, closely tied to the waters of the Sarela River and for centuries played an important role in this area of the city.
The history of today’s Palacio del Carmen can therefore be seen as an evolution through different ways of inhabiting and experiencing this site: from tannery to convent and later to hotel.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the property was converted into a convent for the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer, whose presence shaped the identity of the building for almost two centuries. The Oblate Sisters’ work was particularly focused on welcoming, protecting, and supporting the reintegration of vulnerable women into society. Its location near O Pombal reflected this strong social mission.
This heritage makes Palacio del Carmen much more than a historic building: it is a place that has remained closely connected to the life of the city and the people who have lived in it for centuries.
A New Chapter: The Birth of Palacio del Carmen
In the late 1990s, plans began to restore the former convent and transform it into a five-star hotel. The project involved the rehabilitation of a listed building recognized for its architectural and historical value, alongside the addition of new elements required to complete the hospitality project.
In August 2001, the property officially opened as AC Palacio del Carmen, featuring 75 rooms, a restaurant, and event spaces, becoming at that time Santiago de Compostela’s third five-star hotel.
Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
From Historic Heritage to a City Landmark with CULTO
Since opening its doors, Palacio del Carmen has built its identity around a distinctive combination: the value of a centuries-old heritage paired with a contemporary vision of hospitality.
Its evolution into Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection, within the ACHM Hotels by Marriott portfolio, has preserved this essence: that of a property with a unique personality and a deep connection to its surroundings.
Over the last 25 years, the hotel has hosted countless meetings, celebrations, journeys, and milestones that have become part of Santiago’s story, consolidating its role as a reference point and a place where the city, its heritage, and its visitors come together.
CULTO, Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
CULTO: A New Gastronomic Concept
This commitment to remaining part of the city’s everyday life is reflected in CULTO, the hotel’s new dining concept, designed to bring both travelers and locals closer to Galician gastronomy.
The culinary philosophy is simple: few techniques, expertly applied, with preparations that respect the quality of the ingredients and allow the product itself to shine.
Wine also plays a central role. CULTO’s approach is not merely to accompany the meal but to understand each glass as another way of discovering the origins and diversity of Galicia.
Today, Palacio del Carmen looks to its history as a way of projecting itself into the future. Its story demonstrates that a building can change its purpose without losing its essence, and that the same space can continue to serve as a meeting place centuries later.
CULTO, Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
