Luxury Travel
Discover the Enchanted Douro Valley
15.07.2022
The Douro Valley is one of Portugal's most marvelous regions, that hides untold luxurious secrets. Famed for its stair-like terraced vineyards and its river that cuts across the steep hills, is also, worldly recognized for its premium wines and superb scenery. Douro's quiet country living has a strong appeal to those looking forward to escaping the feverish city life.
So, if you are looking to savor all of the luxuries that Douro Valley has to offer, then look no further, we have gathered some of the best stays where you can enjoy some of the finest food and incredible wine, fantastic activities, and nights of relaxing sleep. Disclose some of the top-notch getaways in the Douro region.
Six Senses Douro Valley
Six Senses Douro Valley is a 19th-century manor house with only 60 bedrooms and the first European property of the Six Senses Group that combines elegance with the region's traditional heritage. This hotel is all about well-being and sustainability, it also offers a selection of rooms, suites, and villas, an excellent spa, in which the treatments are all citrus-based, several dining options, as well as a wine library, and a pleasing outdoor swimming pool.
Vale Abraão Restaurant
The hotel’s Vale Abraão Restaurant offers a range of dining options, including a chef’s table where you can enjoy an impressive ten-course meal - generously portioned and alluring plated - as well as wine pairings. Nicely installed on the chef’s table, you will be able to accompany the entire cooking process under the attentive guidance of the restaurant staff. Everything is presented beautifully, and many of the products come directly from their organic garden. You can also add to the list canoeing, Douro river cruises, tree climbing, cooking lessons, picnics, you name it. You will find all kinds of experiences in this breathtaking Portuguese wine region.
Quinta de La Rosa
Located in the picturesque town of Pinhão, Quinta de La Rosa sits right by the river and is a family-owned property. Surrounded by their own vineyard, La Rosa’s rooms offer river views and each is beautifully designed with contemporary bathrooms and country-feel furnishings.
Their restaurant A Cozinha da Clara - Claire's Kitchen - stands as a tribute to the owner's grandmother. Claire's love of food and hospitality it's present in all the procedures of the restaurant. They creatively reinterpret traditional Portuguese cooking, taking the base inspiration from her home cooking. If you want to enjoy their amazing food overlooking the river and vineyards, you should try their shaded terrace.
Unlike most port houses – which make their port in the Douro but store and bottle it in Porto - La Rosa does everything in the Douro and it is possible to join this process of wine production. Also, it is given the opportunity to choose from a range of port tastings, stroll and tour the vineyards, a private visit with the estate’s owner and even relax under the vine-clad terraces.
Quinta Nova
Billed as the first wine hotel in Portugal, Quinta Nova Luxury Winery House offers great views of the river and the estate's vineyards. Born from the rehabilitation of a 19th-century-old manor, visitors can take part in a number of wine-themed activities, which combined have earned it the Luxury Hotel & Winery of the Year Award for 2018 by the English-born Luxury Travel Guide.
At the in-house restaurant - Terraçus Winery Restaurant – there's no menu and the kitchen will cook and serve what they have, in perfect tune with the property's wines. It serves excellent food in a stunning outdoor setting and we would definitely recommend doing the wine pairing so that you can try their various wines.
Quinta de Ventozelo
Ventozelo is one of the largest and oldest properties in the region, with records that go back to 1500. The 29 rooms are spread over seven preexisting buildings, with very different types, from the reuse of wine storage balloons to the recovery of the swamps where, once, workers were installed. Across the 400 hectares (of which 200 are vineyards, 150 are Mediterranean forests and 20 are olive groves), there are seven signposted walking routes that allow you to enjoy this unique ecosystem. Cantina do Ventozelo restaurant, explores the authenticity of Douro gastronomy, with local and seasonal products.
Quinta da Pacheca
Quinta da Pacheca is a relaxing and intimate lodging nestled in the vineyards. Its main building is a typical 18th-century manor house completely renovated with the most comfort and elegance. More recently, they have launched a new accommodation option now offering the opportunity to spend the night in a giant wine barrel, which includes all the comforts granted by modern-day standards.
You can take a winery tour followed by a wine tasting session paired with cheese and jam, or even a picnic in the vineyards. For a particularly unique experience, choose a wine course or a cooking class where you'll learn traditional techniques while preparing your very own meal. Pacheca is one of the few wineries in the region to offer these kinds of hands-on experiences.
Last but not least, their restaurant is spacious and elegant, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views into the Douro River and the surrounding vineyards. Here you will indulge in regional cuisine all paired with Quinta da Pacheca wines.
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