Six Senses Douro Valley – Portugal
The brand’s first foray into Europe, Six Senses Douro Valley is a heady blend of authentic Portuguese style and contemporary design. Standing on a promontory in the oldest wine region in the world, this magnificent historic manor house has panoramic views along the UNESCO World Heritage listed valley. Stunningly transformed into a 21st century retreat, it exudes charm and elegance. It forms part of the landscape, in its own nineteen acres of estate and surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see.
The river slips gently past, adding to the serenity of the setting. The service is faultless, staffed predominantly by locals who know the region like the back of their hand and are more than happy to impart their knowledge of the best places to visit. If you like understated luxury and somewhere off the beaten track, this is your place.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its tranquility, beautiful gardens & wine!Style:
Historic Portuguese meets contemporary chic.Location:
In the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. East of Porto close to the historic town of Lamego.Rooms:
71 rooms, suites & villas.Swimming:
In the outdoor pool or heated indoor pool (adults only).Children:
Are very welcome with plenty of activities to entertain & the option to combine suites for larger families.Accessibility:
The hotel includes 1 room that has been adapted for wheelchair accessibility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
The light filled rooms and suites all have enormous picture windows, bringing the glorious views inside. No two are the same. With oak floors, textured walls, polished granite bathrooms – some where you can soak looking out over the valley – and supremely comfortable beds, they effortlessly blend contemporary design with original features and historic authenticity. And some even have their own wine fridge, garden, or hot tub.
The Villas take local architecture and contemporary design and create an intimate hideaway. They come with a heated pool and a large garden and terrace overlooking the vineyards.
food
Fresh ingredients straight from the estate’s organic gardens and produce from the region, and traditional Portuguese dishes are a main stay of the menu here at Douro Valley. The convivial and beautifully styled Vale de Abraão Restaurant, with its cork ceiling and azulejo tiled walls, sprawls out onto the terrace, where guests can enjoy superlative views whilst feasting on a seasonal tasting menu.
You can marvel at the skill of the chefs in the open kitchen and the smell of the freshly baking bread coming from the wood fired ovens, is something else. During the summer, enjoy freshly grilled meat and fish in the Summer Garden – a pop up restaurant making the most of the long, warm evenings. And of course, we can’t not mention the wine. As you would expect, the wine list features the best of the region, and nowhere better to try them is in the Wine Library, accompanied by a delicious selection of tapas, and surrounded by heavy tones on viticulture.
activities
Being a Six Senses hotel, the Spa is understandably an impressive feature. The list of treatments and therapies is almost overwhelming, with underwater sound therapy to Cryotherapy, private yoga sessions and personalised treatments designed to your individual needs – you won’t be able to resist. Outside of the hotel, there’s a myriad of activities from which to choose. From walking or cycling the many paths along the valley and through the vineyards, to exploring the medieval town of Lamego with its Cistercian monasteries.
One of the best ways to see the valley is by a boat cruise, and if you’re feeling energetic you can take out a kayak, or maybe a more sedate paddle board. There’s a range of fun classes you can take from cookery to pickle making, and the resident gardener will take you on a tour of the estate’s gardens giving a detailed explanation of the planting. Finally, you can’t come here without a wine tasting. The dedicated wine team have created on and off-site wine tours which we absolutely recommend. The delights of the Douro Valley are limitless.
sustainability
Being in a World Heritage Site comes with obligations, and the Six Senses Douro Valley is committed to reducing its impact on the local environment. From regenerating local woodland and being custodians of the stretch of stream that passes through the property, to sponsoring local underprivileged children, the hotel has a range of programmes supporting the local ecology and economy.
Location
Douro Valley, Portugal
Located in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. Set within 19 acres of the oldest wine-producing region in the world, with the River Douro winding its way through. 90 minutes from Oporto International Airport & close to the historic town of Lamego.
