Vinha Boutique Hotel – Riverside Oasis in Porto

Vinha Boutique Hotel is a very special place to stay, dine and relax in Porto. With sophisticated design and quality service, it’s a big city, cosmopolitan hotel, set outside the business center in a tranquil, natural setting on the banks of the Douro River.

The heart and soul of the hotel is the 16^th century manor house. The original structure has been impeccably-renovated, maintaining the traditional façade, while creating a modern showcase for the signature restaurant, classic bar on the ground floor and unique suites above. A contemporary new wing has been built behind the manor house to provide for more guest rooms and expand space for the lobby lounge, a second restaurant, study and spa.

With a keen eye for visually-stunning decor, owner and architect Joana Poças has designed public and guest spaces that feel both opulent and comfortable. Elegant materials were chosen for furnishings, and objects collected from international travels accent table tops, etageres and nooks. In the lobby lounge (featured at top) a large format painting by Portuguese artist Ana Pais Olivera is the focal point for the sitting area, warmed by a contemporary fireplace.

For the 38 guest accommodations, Poças took inspiration from the top fashion houses around the world. Design of Petit rooms (22sqm) emulate the classic Americana of Ralph Lauren or the Indian palette of Manuel Canovas, while Deluxe and Deluxe River View rooms (30 and 33sqm, respectively) recreate French glamor of Nobilis, with clean black and white patterns, and pronounced pops of color.

The Signature Suites (ranging from 36-82sqm) are individually unique in layout and design. With tributes to Hermès, Christian Lacroix, Etro, Missoni, Kenzo or Pierre Frey, there’s sure to be an environment suited to every taste.

A shining star at the hotel, no doubt, is Vinha, the fine dining restaurant featuring the cuisine of Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. With two Michelin stars already earned at his Alma restaurant in Lisbon, the anticipation for stars to arrive at Vinha are already high. In the elegant space steeped in elements of Dutch design firm Moooi, Chef Sá Pessoa serves Portuguese cuisine sprinkled with international influences. The ala carte menu features dishes like Confit Codfish, chickpea purée, anchovy tempura, dried tomato, and Beef Loin, with wild mushrooms, Jerusalem artichoke cream and black truffle jus. The the six-course tasting menu with wine pairing is recommend for your pleasure and indulgence.

Terroir, also under the purview of Chef Sá Pessoa, is another dining option at the hotel. This restaurant serves up shareable Portuguese and international dishes, and is ideal for friends and families. Items sure to tempt your tummy are Sous Vide Egg, potatoes, mushrooms and Ibérico ham, and Pork Neck “à Portuguesa”, potatoes, chestnuts and jus. Terroir is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Attention to quality and comfort carries over into the Sisley Paris Spa (the only one of its kind in northern Portugal). The state-of-the-art wellness and well-being facility boasts an indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, four treatment rooms, a Vichy shower, sauna, Turkish bath, Hammam, an ice fountain, a sensation shower, relaxation areas and a ﬁtness studio.

A day at Vinha (or in Porto for that matter) would not be complete without an adult beverage at the Reserve Bar. Here, mixologists create original cocktails with names like Monkey Business and Staus Quo, as well as all-time favorites such as Negroni and Aperol Spritz. It’s a stylish spot for the fashionable set.