Six Senses Douro Valley

Douro

Porto, Portugal’s most important northern city and longtime friendly competitor of Lisbon, is, like the capital city, an important tourist destination. Porto is also the name of the region’s legendary wine that we know as port, and it’s here that we find the famous wine cellars that produce the reds and whites that are one of the country’s living legends. Porto however, is also a city with a number of impressive historical sites and monuments, which earned the town center its classification as a UNESCO world heritage in 1996.

Tourists can visit the superb Sao Francisco church, a former Gothic and Baroque style Franciscan convent which goes back to the 13^th century and whose columns and interior walls are covered with gold.

The Clerigos or Clergy’s Tower, on Liberty Square, is one of the symbols of the city, as are the various bridges over the Douro River, whose source is in Spain and which empties into the Atlantic after flowing 200 kilometers through the heart of Portugal. The Douro Valley, also a UNESCO world heritage, possesses magnificent landscapes including mountains and lush green forests, as well as charming traditional villages, known for the friendliness of their inhabitants. It’s also here that one discovers the country’s most beautiful vineyards and the quintas where the secrets of making the finest port wines are carefully guarded.

A deluxe version of a traditional farm

Located in the heart of the valley, the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel is in an immense 19^th century farm which once belonged to a producer of port wine. Although the exterior of the building is very traditional, the entirely renovated interior has a few surprises in store for its guests.

The 50 spacious rooms and 9 suites are bathed in natural light which spotlights a sober and design décor, where there is no place for anything superfluous. Simplicity here is in perfect harmony with luxury, and a peaceful Zen like atmosphere assures the occupants of total serenity. The architect who supervised the renovation made certain that each room had a pleasant view, and he outdid himself in the panoramic suite, with its magnificent view of the vineyards.

The 21 villas on the property were all decorated by Gianni Gonçalves. Built on several stories, they are ideal for families or groups of friends who come to enjoy the beauty of the site. Some of them have kitchens, whereas others share a swimming pool or have a private pool with a small diving board.

Since the well-being of its guests is a priority here, the 2,200-square-meter spa proposes an aromatic sauna, a swimming pool, ice showers, as well as treatments and massages adapted to individual needs, and for the most part, based on wine therapy. Occupants of the spa room are entitled to special treatment and can receive spa services in their room. Swimming, sunbathing and relaxation are the order of the day at the heated outdoor pool whereas more exercise oriented guests can take advantage of the tennis courts or enjoy the hotel’s surroundings as they go jogging.

Several restaurants are available including the fairly casual Vale d'Abraão, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but to discover refined local cuisine and the region’s finest wines, the Almapura is definitely the place to go.

“The hotel has a totally contemporary style with a mixture of unique and unusual antiques. All the colors are inspired by the neighboring vineyards, what some people call ‘Ninimalist”, an expression I have now adopted.” Nini Andrade Silva, interior designer