Quinta do Vallado - Douro Wine Hotel

Amazing experience! Amazing guide! "Rita" was a diferential for the experience. Comiited, showed a lot of knowledge. Incredible landscape, location, surroundings and staff. tasting was veru interesting and enjoyable... totally recomend

We were heading back from Lisbon to Santander and we had driven through the Douro valley on our way down and it looked beautiful. Co-incidentally, I had spotted an article in one of the English papers which rates this place at the top of the pile. Booked for our night at a cost of approx £370 for B&B in a room in the old house. (Only option and slightly cheaper). The new building did sound more advantageous on paper. Found the place on the outskirts of a beautiful village. Free car parking, lift, steps and ramp up to the main level. There is a small reception cabin at car park level. Did check in whilst drinking a delicious glass of their own chilled white port. (I have ordered some since returning to UK). These first people were unbelievably helpful and welcoming. Decided to get luggage and head up to the hotel. The lift is the slowest price if mechanical engineering I have ever used. It and is eventually got to the hotel level where we were met by the concierge who showed us where our room would be, the layout of the public area and the “trust” bar. Also the terrace where dinner would be served. Room was not ready so we retreated to terrace to have a snack (and a glass of wine). Lunch was delicious preceded by a tray of bread olives toasted almonds and oils. (All from their farm). After lunch went to our room which opened onto another terrace - the room was simple elegant and cool with wooden shuttered French patio doors. In the room there was a bottle of their reserva wine and a coffee table book as a gift. There was also a bottle of their white port and some tonic to make a popular cocktail. There was also a minibar. We wandered to the pool after lunch which was secluded but had its own small pool bar. I sat under an orange tree and sipped my wine. It was total bliss and despite the other 24 guests almost completely private. We noticed a chef in the vegetable garden selecting produce and herbs Had a tour of the winery with the lovely Jennifer and following a delicious wine tasting came away with a sample bott of the ABF 1888 very old port. Dinner was a small menu – 3 main choices, starter and dessert with some amuse bouche and some more amazing breads and oils. This was wine paired, there was a standard option at €55 and a premium option at €90 (including food). The food was excellent, and we were looked after by the lovely Luis who ensured we never wanted for anything. Slept like a baby - our one regret is we were leaving the next morning. All of the team went out of their way to ensure we had an excellent time and nothing was any trouble. Special shout out to “Yvonne”; you know who you are!!! Cannot wait to come back for a week – Thank you Quinta do Vallado