Vidago Palace - A Grand Dame with 21st Century Allure

There’s something deeply satisfying about a grand palace hotel. Along with the luxury and pampering, you get a few glimpses of time travel—a window or two into another, more glamorous and refined, era.

That’s exactly what Vidago Palace offers. The hotel, which is near Chaves and Portugal’s northern border with Spain, is pretty far from most places, but less than 90 minutes from Porto—pretty doable if you’re in the north and have an interest in historic palace hotels.

This one has quite a history. At the beginning of the 20th century, thermal springs resorts were the height of fashion across Europe, with royal courts decamping to their holiday homes along with less noble people who were simply trying to cure their respiratory ailments. Portugal’s king at the time, Carlos I, decided he wanted one of those resorts, and set about commissioning Vidago Palace. But right before it was set to be inaugurated, he was assassinated.

Long story short, they waited almost two years to open the hotel, and then tied the opening to the foundation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. And ever since, the hotel has stood as a testament to that moment in time.

It remained open through everything that followed, and then finally got a major renovation courtesy of the current owners, the Super Bock Group (a beverage distributor). A guest’s first impression is the 365 windows and doors on the facade, but in fact, the new version of the hotel has only 70 rooms.

The spa was designed by noted architect Siza Vieira and uses products from Clarins and Aromatherapy Associates, as well as the onsite mineral springs.

The restaurant, is a project of chef Vitor Matos, a native of the area who holds a Michelin star at his restaurant in Porto, Antiqvvm.