Vintage House Hotel began life as a wine lodge and was sensitively turned into a boutique hotel by renowned port wine makers, Taylor’s. It combines the best of vintage – think cherished antiques and wine memorabilia – with modern service and facilities. Plus, the views are breathtaking. This elegant hotel is in the traditional town of Pinhão, which has some picturesque cafés and restaurants. Pinhão station (whose platform has direct access to the property) is one of the prettiest in Portugal, with blue mosaics that depict local life and a waiting room that belongs to another era, and the journey from here to Porto is one of Europe’s most scenic railway routes. The hotel has been designed to showcase its riverside location at every opportunity. The outdoor pool is right on the river and there are plenty of terraces where you can soak up the views. Each one of the classical rooms has its own balcony or terrace with views of the Douro River or surrounding vineyards. A stand-out feature is The Rabelo Restaurant, which serves up regional dishes with Douro wines and plenty of fresh fish. We also love the old-world feel of the comforting Library Bar, where you can curl up by the fire with a glass of port.
This Belle Époque-style palace is unashamedly grand. It dates back to 1910, when it was originally built for the king, and its striking symmetrical salmon-pink exterior makes an eye-catching first impression. You’ll really feel like you’re making an entrance as you glide up the steps here. Inside, the hotel oozes opulence; the attention to detail is incredible, with personalised motifs, hand-made fabrics and gilded triple-height ceilings everywhere you look. The glittering Grand Ballroom is now the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, where a fine-dining spin transforms traditional dishes from northern Portugal. More low-key dining takes place at the Winter Ballroom (the hotel’s breakfast room) and the contemporary Club House. Guest rooms are super-luxurious and have a more calming décor, with a four-hued colour scheme, plush armchairs, rosewood writing desks and views of the parkland or hillside. The hotel’s most modern addition is a large all-white-marble thermal spa wing. The local area is known for its underground hot springs and the spa uses its mineral-rich waters. As well as luxury treatment rooms, you’ll find indoor and outdoor pools, a steamroom and sauna. Other top facilities include an 18-hole par-72 golf course that’s set among ancient trees and has views over the hills to charming villages.
Located in the smart seaside suburb of Foz, far from the city hustle and bustle, this impressive mansion house has been painstakingly restored and the attention to detail is impeccable – it really does feel like you’ve stepped gloriously back in time. Dining here is elegant and authentic. At the grand Vila Foz Restaurant, expect gold chandeliers, picture-perfect dishes and a focus on ‘contemporary gastronomy’. For a special dinner, book the exclusive ‘kitchen seat’ experience for two, where the chef will talk you through each dish as he conjures up his creations for you. Or, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the 5 o’clock tea at Vila Foz Bar – it’s taken very seriously here and is something of a ritual. Rooms in the manor house are sumptuous and atmospheric, while the newer rooms are light and bright. Book an Onice Sea View Rooms for a breezy sea-view balcony. The hotel team encourages its guests to get out and explore the city like a local; they can arrange picnics in the park, put you in touch with local artists and take you to 100-year-old traditional shops. There are also bikes for hire, private yacht trips and wine tours, so itineraries can be designed around your interests, and a shuttle can whisk you into the city centre.
Vintage House Hotel
Vidago Palace Hotel
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
