MERAKI Hotels & Fine Dining
DOURO ROYAL VALLEY The tranquility and the elegance of Douro Visual Stories by Carla Branco | Story #16
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DOURO ROYAL VALLEY The tranquility and the elegance of Douro Located in BaiĂŁo, at the picturesque Douro region, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, staying at this luxury five-star hotel of the chain Jase, is the perfect match between the proximity of nature with all the comfort and sophistication that make each stay unique.
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A s s o o n a s we p a r k t h e c a r i n t h e underground parking and reach the 2nd floor of the reception, we enter an atmosphere of tranquility provided by the nude and gray tones of the chaise-longue and sofas in the lobby with a panoramic view of the Douro. The lobby windows also show a set of typical Portuguese products that can be purchased - from jewelry to handmade soaps. At the end of the room, we have the Palato D’Ouro restaurant, where breakfast is also served and at the other end, at the end of a corridor, the Ruby Bar. In the current pandemic context, booking dinner and breakfast hours is mandatory. If you feel safer, you can ask for room service.
FOUR SEASONS RITZ SPA Viagem exclusiva entre Ocidente e Oriente Estamos no spa de um dos mais emblemáticos espaços de Lisboa, o Hotel Ritz, um compromisso entre a modernidade e a tradição. Fomos conhecer um dos seus tratamentos de assinatura - “Sete Colinas de Lisboa” - um luxo clássico de puro prazer, inspirado pelos ingredientes portugueses mais naturais e tradicionais. 4
RUBY BAR With a relaxed atmosphere with sofas in navy blue tone and a piano in the middle of the room for Saturday night live music shows, it is a good stop for an aperitif before dinner or a cocktail on the panoramic terrace. The cocktail oer is quite extensive with some creative creations, also counting on some snacks, for example a set of local cheeses and sausa ges, toasts in homemade bread or salads.
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RESTAURANTE PALATO D’OURO In a unique panoramic setting of the Douro with a modern decorative style in nude tones and with tables and chairs similar to those of the Ruby Bar, the enormous variety of typical products of this region will provide you an incredible gastronomic experience. In fact, right on the first page of the menu, “From the passion for the country that welcomed me, a love for the flavors of this region was born”, the chef invites us to an authentic gastronomic journey without leaving our chairs. This journey begins with the couvert which contains a selection of breads, flavored butters and olive oil from Vale D’Flor. Among the starters, the typical dish with Baião sausage stands out, but also the textures of partridge with corn, celery and truffled mayonnaise.
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In the main dishes, the choice is difficult between the local beef tenderloin or the suckling pig, but there are also exceptional fish dishes that deserve to be highlighted, as it is the case of sea grouper and hazelnut with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, asparagus and Pata Negra ham. You should take a glass of Douro Dalva Reserva wine with your meal. To end this trip, the carrot and raspberry dessert was suggested - carrot cake with raspberry ice cream and vanilla from São Tomé and Príncipe, closing in a harmonious way. The buffet breakfast offers a huge variety of delicacies from the region and typical of a continental and American breakfast: from pancakes, homemade cakes, cold cuts, smoked specialties and typical jams, to scrambled eggs and different types of cereals.
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THE PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE ROOMS Throughout floors 3 to 5, all rooms at the Douro Royal Valley Hotel & Spa (Double, Twin or Suite rooms) have a balcony with panoramic view, thus making your experience truly relaxing in a dream setting. 10
In the context of COVID-19, a disinfection kit consisting of a sanitizer gel and individual mask is also given. The rooms are all decorated in soft colors, with double beds, two armchairs facing the balcony, a Nespresso coee machine and a water boiler so that you are able to fall asleep after a hot drink enjoying the beauty of the landscape. 11
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INFINITY POOL WITH STUNNING VIEWS The business card of this hotel is its infinity outdoor pool, which is one of the most beautiful in Portugal. With a privileged location facing the terraces of the Douro, contemplating a sunset while swimming is a fantastic experience during your stay. The Royal Spa and Acqua Bar are located behind the pool.
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ROYAL SPA At any time of the year, a complete stay at the Douro Royal Valley Hotel & Spa requires a visit to its famous spa to enjoy moments of pure relaxation and pampering. In a total area of 700 m2, the spa focuses on the four natural elements - air, water, earth and fire, oering an exclusive selection of treatments that are a unique sensory experience. You can enjoy three double and one single treatment rooms, two indoor relaxation areas, an indoor jet pool, one double Vichy shower room, one Scottish shower room, sauna and mixed hammam, gym and a thermal circuit. In this circuit, the use of the various areas stimulates blood circulation, promotes skin cleansing and muscle relaxation. In addition to that, its glass windows have panoramic views to make this experience purely peaceful. If you prefer, you can book one of the massage rituals, such as the Swedish massage, signature massage with hot candles or even the tribute massage are among its highlights. There is also a wine therapy ritual for couples.
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ACQUA BAR Right next to the Spa and after using it, you can rest in this simple and serene bar with an offer of light snacks, delighting yourself in the bucolic panorama of the Douro. The landscape and road of the Douro Valley is one of the most picturesque and famous in the world. It was even considered by the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the favorite destinations for 2021. In order to fully enjoy the best that this landscape has to offer, a stay at the Douro Royal Valley Hotel & Spa is the perfect symbiosis of tranquility that this view provides with moments of pure gastronomic pleasure. 16
ACQUA BAR Mesmo ao lado do Spa e após a utilização do mesmo, poderá descansar neste bar simples e sereno com uma oferta de snacks ligeiros, deliciando-se com o panorama bucólico do Douro. A paisagem e estrada do Vale do Douro é das mais pitorescas e famosas do mundo. Foi até considerada pela prestigiada revista Condé Nast Traveler como um dos destinos de predileção para 2021. De forma a usufruir em pleno do melhor que esta paisagem tem para oferecer, uma estadia no Douro Valley Hotel & Spa é a simbiose perfeita da tranquilidade que esta vista proporciona com momentos de puro prazer gastronómico. 17
MERAKI Hotels & Fine Dining
CEO/Editor CARLA BRANCO Text SYLVIA PICHLER Photos DOURO ROYAL VALLEY Story #16 November 2020 www.douroroyal.com
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