be surprised by Douro Valley it is not a difficult task. Here, its historic vineyards on rugged terrain bordering the mighty river form impressive natural landscapes, from which splendid grapes emerge that result in wines appreciated all over the world.
History, gastronomy, wine tourism and tours that are engraved in memory are just a taste of what we can taste here. And it’s right in the middle of this sensory tripin the heart of the Douro, which is one of the most impressive hotels in Portugal: O Six Senses Douro Valley.
Located in the parish of Samodães, in Lamego, the hotel had been on my list for some time, and I was already impressed with the photos of the river views.
When I came across the images, I created a certain expectation, which was exceeded as soon as I actually set foot in Quinta do Vale de Abraão, where the hotel is located, to record the fourth season of CNN Travel & Gastronomy.
I say that it is definitely one of the best secrets of the Douro. To begin with, the view is just one of the attractions of the property, where the windows of the front rooms frame the green mountains and the river and transform the image into a true portrait.
Combine all this with the legacy of the Six Senses network, based on hospitality and a balance between a perfect stay and well-being, and we have a complete experience in one of the most special corners of Portugal.
The hotel
From a distance we can already see the grandeur of the hotel with its large house and outdoor areas on the uneven ground.
And it’s only when we get close to it that we notice that the contemporary lines distributed throughout the spaces speak harmoniously with tradition, like the main house dating from the 19th century. It’s a beautiful mix between the past and the present.
Located 125 km from the Porto city and about 1h30 by car, Six Senses Douro Valley occupies an old farm, therefore, it is surrounded by a few hectares of vineyards, which makes us really immerse ourselves in the culture and daily life of the Douro – the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.
Panoramic views of the river and the surrounding valley can be seen even from the reception, where we are greeted with a glass of port at the entrance – another reminder of where we are.
Well-kept gardens that look almost like a forest also surround the hotel and meet the balcony of some rooms, where the cedar trees guarantee a very welcome balance of calm and tranquility.
accommodations
In all, there are 71 luxurious accommodations that include panoramic views of the river and gardens, as well as suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Among the gardens there is also a villa with one or two bedrooms, each with a private pool. Next door, where the warehouse used to be, there are now new rooms and suites.
The accommodations follow the property’s tone: they have been renovated and demonstrate the brand’s seal of quality, and are filled with soft tones, natural fabrics and, as expected, plenty of comfort.
It is worth mentioning that guests are offered a private transfer to and from Porto airport.
Wine Library and gastronomy
One of the most emblematic spaces of the hotel is the Wine Library , which works here as a social meeting point around wine. If the drink is the protagonist of the Douro, it is in this space that countless bottles and their stories rest.
The space, which also has an external terrace, works as a wine tasting place, where daily tastings and wine dinners take place. Here, we find a wine list with 700 references and even a little shop with several labels.
But one of the most striking features is a 24/7 wine machine for guests. It works like this: we put a card that we received at check-in and we try the desired doses from different bottles, and the labels change almost daily.
I joke that this is my favorite area! The interesting thing is that, with the machine and the labels available, we can take a tour of the Douro and Portuguese wines without even leaving the hotel.
The Wine Library also extends to the Vale de Abraão Restaurant, focused on exquisite meals made up of local ingredients and flavors. The menus are different for lunch and dinner: during the day there are two options, the firewood menu and the tradition menu, and at night there is an à la carte menu.
The great hall is made up of original blue and white tiles from the 17th century, as well as a large fireplace. The space is also where breakfast is served.
The restaurant also has a noteworthy detail: the kitchen was made in an open model, without walls or barriers, which is equipped with a wood-fired bread oven and a grill. It’s called Open Kitchen and is open during the three meal periods.
The breakfast, by the way, contains items straight from the farm, which makes us even more willing to try a little bit of everything. Throughout the day the hotel still has brunch with natural drinks and fluffy breads, all made with care, with aromas that awaken our senses – this is almost a hotel motto!
The property also has a vegetable garden, from which various herbs and seasonal plants come directly to the kitchen and to our tables.
Experiences: wine, wellness and nature
Being here is already a valuable experience, but there are still activities that can be done on and off the property – most of them, of course, focused on wine.
In addition to walks through the hotel’s vineyards and the parish of Samodães, the hotel’s team is in charge of offering guided tours through wineries or by boat on the Douro River and delicious tastings in the most charming wineries – inside and outside the hotel.
A visit to the prehistoric engravings of the Côa Valley, visits to some of the oldest farms in the world and trips to picturesque villages, churches and historic castles complete the possibilities.
Tours with sommeliers and programs during the harvest season are still among the most interesting activities at certain times.
Inside the hotel, I was able to make a picnic worthy of a movie in one of the gazebos by the garden. Accompanied by cheeses, breads and sausages – I didn’t forget a glass of wine! -, I was presented with a passionate look at the end of the afternoon.
Like other activities, the picnic is an experience offered between the months of May and September, the period of late spring and summer in Europe.
spa
As if that wasn’t enough, Six Senses also has its own spa, one of the best in the country, with locally-inspired treatments based on regional grapes and herbs. It’s 2,200 square meters with 10 treatment rooms, a large heated indoor pool with underwater sound therapy and massage jets.
There is also space for cryotherapy and chromotherapy, as well as a fitness center spacious. Yoga, suspended yoga, pilates and even forest training circuits are offered as part of the menu. wellness of the property.
Pedicures and manicures are performed in a unique space dedicated only to these activities, the nail barand the spa also has a Alchemy Bar an interesting space where individual potions of herbs, salts and fruits from the region are prepared with ingredients that are transformed into exfoliants and masks.
After testing some treatments, I confess that it is indeed a sensory journey in which we enter a state of deep relaxation.
Sustainability
The hotel still has a concern with the sustainability and the surroundings – as this is one of the most famous and important wine regions in the world.
Thus, there is a Sustainability Fund that supports local environmental and social sustainability projects in the Douro.
Inside the property there is also the Earth Lab, a laboratory of sustainable initiatives present in several Six Senses units around the world. The space shows sustainability projects in practice and gives tips on how to reduce consumption and how to support communities and ecosystems.
So, the well-being is the hotel’s watchword . Whether in food, in the soundtrack, in the ambiance, in the rooms and in the activities, everything is done to make us feel welcomed.
Once here, enjoying the hotel becomes a necessary activity, which helps us to delve even more into the beauties of the Douro in an elegant way. Ending the day on the terrace with the sunset with incredible views of the valley is a gift. A toast!
Six Senses Douro Valley
Quinta de Vale Abraao, Samodaes
5100-758 Lamego
Phone: +351 254 660 600
Reservations: [email protected]
Official site
Source: CNN Brasil
