Vinha Boutique Hotel 130 Six Senses Douro

VINHA Boutique Hotel

Douro

The most current hotel in the north area geared to the premium category, with its unique site on the banks of the river Douro, opened to the public in July 2021. Vinha Boutique Hotel is wonderfully situated to become a close sanctuary for Porto and the Douro area, surrounded by gardens, lakes, and woods, with 3.5 hectares of grounds and 200 meters of riverfront. A destination where tourists and guests may enjoy great cuisine and wine experiences created by Chef Renato Cunha to respect and conserve native Portuguese produce, as well as wellness programs at the hotel’s Sisley Paris Spa and a range of outdoor activities. Vibrant and welcoming, Vinha Boutique Hotel is the most recent five-star hotel in the Porto and north region, located in Oliveira do Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal and offers a distinct concept of stay based on the different interior styles of its 38 rooms, with hospitality products and amenities by the distinguished British brand, Jo Malone. Ralph Lauren, Hermès, Missoni, Etro and Christian Lacroix are some of the brands or “maisons” that drive the creative concept of 19 of the hotel’s rooms/suites. The remaining 19 rooms share a common decorative style, designated as Vinha Rooms.The hotel is a converted 16th century manor house, set in its own extensive natural surroundings on the left bank of the river Douro. Next to it, a new building has been added, designed in pure, simple lines suggestive of the elegant terraces of the slopes of the Douro vineyards. The hotel’s manor house also includes the Vinha Restaurant, the Reserva Bar and the Spa, the first of the French brand, Sisley Paris, in northern Portugal. There are also two floors with rooms for guests, the remaining rooms and suites being housed in the new building. The hotel’s gastronomic concept and in particular the Vinha Restaurant, built on the philosophy of authentic flavours that describe a narrative that originates from the river Douro and the terroir along its banks. Its elegant dining room features décor from the Moooi brand. In addition, the restaurant has a private room for fine dining in a more exclusive and intimate setting. There is also an outside terrace surrounded by lakes and gardens to stimulate the taste buds on days of warm weather, with the same style of service. The gastronomic universe of Vinha Boutique Hotel is vast and extends to the outdoors with experiences in the heart of nature, such as food cooked on a fire pit in traditional cast iron pots, or Vinha picnics to be enjoyed outdoors in the hotel grounds. The Reserva Bar offers a disruptive, innovative approach, where guests can enjoy an ambience full of character, modelled on the concept of the classical club, for private moments or for gatherings, but here transposed into a space that everyone can enjoy and with the River Douro as the backdrop. A place where the creative freedom leans

towards international gastronomy and where guests can enjoy an informal meal, try a classic or signature cocktail, choose from a careful selection of wines by the glass, among other proposals, such as teas, herbal teas, kombuchas, natural fruit juices, or consult a list of exclusive drinks. The Bar also has a terrace with a view

of the river and manor house gardens. The hotel’s Sisley Paris Spa has an area of 500m2 dedicated to wellness, and is the only SPA of the French brand in northern Portugal. The hotel also has a shop in this space, where the products of the distinguished Parisian brand of luxury cosmetics are on sale to the public. The Spa facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a Vitality pool, 3 treatment rooms, a Vichy shower, sauna, Turkish bath, Hammam, ice fountain, sensation shower, areas for relaxation and also a fitness studio. The new hotel hopes to increase its offer of accommodation in the near future with the construction

of ecological bungalows on the edge of the property’s woodlands, with views of the manor house gardens and river Douro. CovetED had an amazing experience at Vinha Boutique Hotel, from an exquisite service to a breathtaking experience, we not only recommend but intend to keep on visiting.

SIX SENSES Douro Valley

Douro

Located in Portugal’s beautiful UNESCO world heritage listed Douro Valley, the 20 acres (eight-hectare) estate of Six Senses Douro Valley is touched with the romance of 19th-century architecture wedded to contemporary interiors reflecting the inimitable Six Senses style. With the River Douro winding its lazy way through this oldest wine-producing region in the world. Golden by name – Douro – the sun-kissed valley is also golden by nature, with the River Douro flowing through amber-hued vine-filled terraces. The region, which comprises three world heritage sites, offers unforgettable experiences in this unique natural landscape. A generously proportioned Six Senses Spa presents a décor of ecologically friendly materials with the feeling of soft and trendy; a meeting between nature, Portuguese tradition, and the elements of water, stone, and wood. The spa offers Six Senses specialty treatments and multi-day programs plus a range of locally-inspired therapies, which also include some that are grape and fruit-based. There are 10 treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool with water jets, an outdoor pool and refreshment bar, plus a gym with the latest exercise equipment and professional guidance. Sustainability is top of the resort’s agenda, with numerous practices to minimize negative and embrace positive impacts. All embody the Six Senses environmental commitment. Locally sourced and environmentally sound products are favored, with suppliers encouraged to reduce packaging and deliver in bulk to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Six Senses Douro Valley addresses all the senses and incorporates all the elements in the arrival pavilion. The entry driveway winds down through working vineyards leading to a cypress flanked entry courtyard with a jaw-dropping view of the Douro River. Traditional small-scale cobblestones pave the yard and vines cascade down from the hill that rises above. Two massive wood and metal doors are

set in a glass façade banded with a slatted metal stand wide open to welcome travelers to the resort entry. Transit on over a massive stone threshold to an entrance lobby where a gigantic table stands in front of a textured art wall bisected by a horizontal niche filled with flickering candles. A welcome glass of Port wine or herbal tea completes the arrival experience. A sweeping chandelier reminiscent of bundles of curling grape vines spatters light on the half-vaulted ceiling and a glass balcony cuts through the massive walls so guests can walk out with their welcome drink and enjoy the panoramic view. There is no paperwork, no computers, and friendly hosts whisk the luggage to each guest room using a tablet. This Portuguese oasis

artfully combines cutting-edge technology with one of the most beautiful locations in the world.

A pattern of light and shadow is projected on each guest room floor and greet you upon arrival. Authentic materials gathered from the Douro Valley area, spacious bathrooms lined with a dove gray Portuguese limestone, comfortable seating, and wide luxurious beds add to the room’s appeal. Sleep and rest-inducing colors have been chosen to ensure a secluded retreat. The beds and mattresses

supplied by Naturalmat are handmade in Devon, England using natural materials including organic lamb’s wool from local sheep. And they are still made in a remote factory surrounded by green fields and mooing cows. A minibar is pre-stocked and includes some hard-to-resist local offerings. Like a village square, the Wine Library is the heart of the resort – the place where everybody goes, that offers all-day fun and joyful indulgence. Local artist Jesper Anderson gathered a collection of local iron tools and embedded them in plaster creating two art walls that anchor the room. Two monumental ceiling fixtures made of wine bottles banded with a frame of oxidized metal further define the multi-use space. A large table with an integrated lightbox in the middle of the area is where wine tastings occur, and tapas are served daily. The tones are soft and warm; recycled wine crates cover some of the walls; leather upholstered sofas and shelves filled with books about the region and its wines beckon guests to slow down and unwind. On the spacious outdoor terrace, the Six Senses signature Cinema Paradiso happens during the Douro hot summer evenings. Vintage films from past eras are featured while guests relax on comfortable cushions. Two long wooden tables with ice buckets mounted in the center and set under a vine trellis are also the perfect spot for guests to share wines and stories about their day of adventure. Massive wooden doors slide aside to reveal a huge fireplace flanked by walls of 18th-century blue and white tiles at The Dining Room. A chandelier made of a wood beam with wood and crystal suspended below lights hangs above a communal table on axis with

the fireplace. A stone floor and a ceiling covered in cork with a structure of authentic oak beams show the relaxed formality of a genuine Quinta dining room. The walls are plastered in terra cotta red inspired by local potters. A long ledge topped by a mirror acts as a linear service station. Outside, a narrow stone terrace with small tables looks out over the organic garden and under a nearby tree a barbecue area is flanked by a traditional wood-fired barbecue and enlivened by the sound of running water trickling down on a granite fountain. Six Senses Spa Douro Valley is entered down ceremonial stairs flanked with incised bronze plaster and a wall covered in squared shelving where candles are lit throughout the day. The walls are covered in a concrete textured finish and the textiles of the upholstered chairs and cushions are all in light gray and sandy tones. The reception area is a lively place to interact, here guests can peruse a selection of glamorous caftans, spa, and yoga clothing for males and females, jewelry, swimsuits, robes and T-shirts, art and objects as well as a wide offering of beauty products and fragrances. At the Nail bar, guests can sip wine while they enjoy manicures and two secluded pedicure stations have ledges to hold a glass as well. The 10 treatment rooms all have windows looking out over secret gardens and water features or stunning views of the valley. Relaxation pods have huge collar cushions to support the back and neck and a lovely little amenity pantry. The enormous indoor pool and Vitality Suite area are unparalleled in both size and indulgence. One’s worldly troubles float away when contemplating the expansive view of the river valley. On the other side, the fitness area is concealed behind frosted glass walls offer an amazing view and a generous area for stretching and cooling down.An organic herb and plant garden provides key ingredients that are used in spa treatments. In addition to the external pool, a large outdoor yoga deck blends beautifully with nature and is ideal for individual sessions and group training. A truly sense full experience, which CovetED had the opportunity to enjoy and recommend as one of the top hotels in Portugal and Douro region to visit. A peaceful retreat.

MAISON Villeroy Paris

Paris

Maison Villeroy creates a new level of luxury and service in the center of Paris, set within a beautifully furnished Parisian private home. The hotel, which is discreetly located on a renowned residential street in the city’s sought-after ‘Golden Triangle,’ adds modern elegance to this elegant structure, which was built in 1908. Maison Villeroy, a much-anticipated addition to The Collection, refines the concept of modern luxury amid one of the world’s most evocative historic city locations. Maison Villeroy is enviably located in Paris’s fashionable 8th arrondissement, on the historic Rue Jean Goujon, named for the great 16th-century architect and personal sculptor of King Henry II. The majestic beauty of Rue Jean Goujon adjoins avenue Montaigne, with its world-renowned couturiers, shops, and restaurants, just a few feet away. Avenue Montaigne, together with avenues George V and des Champs-Elysées, comprises the third side of ‘Le Triangle d’Or,’ as this most Parisian of neighborhoods is called. It’s one of Europe’s most exclusive and unique neighborhoods, beloved locally and adored worldwide. Maison Villeroy epitomizes a one-of-a-kind ‘private home’ idea, providing visitors with a level of care, warmth, comfort, and facilities that even the best hotels can’t match. The house is comprised of only 11 magnificent flats, suites, and rooms, with clever floor plans allowing visitors to occupy whole levels if desired. It is also possible to book the full property if that is your preference. A specialized crew of highly experienced butlers is available to guarantee guests’ comfort at any time of day or night, and guests may eat, work out in the gym, or visit the hotel’s spa around the clock, just as they would at home. Each apartment is meticulously designed to suggest the warmth and seclusion of home, with beautiful dining and living rooms, evoking a genuine Parisian ‘Appartement.’ Every apartment, suite, and room has been designed to complement the building’s extraordinary dimensions and ceiling heights with a refined palette of natural tones and materials of the finest quality. Guests may savor the finest food in the elegant settings of our Michelin-star Restaurant Trente-Trois, which is a wonderfully contemporary interpretation of the classic dining room. The cozy environment created by floor-to-ceiling hardwood paneling and cushioned lounge-style seating allows guests to savor, socialize, and unwind. From an à la carte breakfast to light, seasonal lunches and classic French meals, and the exquisite all-day menu caters to shifting tastes throughout the day, all prepared with the finest local products. Alongside is a careful wine and champagne list, which includes rare vintages.

Spa Villeroy’s health and exercise facilities take up the whole lower ground floor. Two treatment rooms, a sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, and a hydrotherapy shower are available at Spa Villeroy. Guests may also use the exclusive, heated relaxation patio from the Spa, which provides a respite from the noise and bustle of Avenue Montaigne. The 45-square-meter state-of-the-art gymnasium is located next to the Spa Villeroy. The Technogym designed gym has the most up-to-date cardio and strength training equipment, making it ideal for an intensive workout or pilates session. An amazing boutique waiting for you in the Heart of Paris, more than a fantastical deluxe service, Maison Villeroy offers an exquisite design filled with classical french allure mixed with contemporary elements. An unforgettable experienc