Douro Palace Hotel Resort & SPA

- Breathtaking views of the river, with a small vineyard and a farm with goats and chickens. An amazing experience for kids and families seeking a peaceful getaway. - The service is attentive and professional. I received a personal message with a candy upon arrival, which was a nice touch. - The dining experience was excellent, featuring a "Farm to Table" concept. I enjoyed delicious figs that were harvested just a few hours before. - The rooms are spacious, modern, and have private balconies with great views. - The spa is a standout feature, offering a beautifully decorated space with an indoor pool, Turkish bath, and sauna. The ambiance is both relaxing and luxurious, making it a perfect retreat within the hotel.

The hotel itself is lovely, with most of it built around a beautiful tiled building: very cool seeing the old building inside the new. It also smelled wonderful... a zen spa smell throughout. All well maintained and welcoming. We spent one entire day relaxing around the hotel and spa, without feeling like we needed to go anywhere! One of my main requirements in my hotel search had been a room with a view of the Douro... the huge windows leading on to our own balcony more than met my expectations. Truly the reset we were looking for. One thing to note: although we'd escaped from our own for 2 nights, the hotel was very child-friendly. Overall, I consider this a good thing! Worth bearing in mind either way: if you're looking to take yours away, they'd be most welcome here; on the other hand, not everyone wants to hear Baby Shark from a nearby table at breakfast.

Overall the hotel is great! Beautiful setting, views and great food. Staff was friendly and engaging.

The Property itself is just a 10 ride from the Aregos train station, and is outstanding, from your signature scent at you enter the reception area (must have a bottle, HINT!, HINT!). Our room was just what the soul needed, we had a river view, from the morning fog, to the setting. Room was a very good size enough room for us both, bed is deluxe very comfortable, bathroom good size, pillows (meh). The Staff is absolutely accommodating, friendly, knowledgeable, they made our stay so easy. We had the breakfast plan well worth it, thou same daily, there's enough variety for your stay, everything was tasty and fresh. Same with the dinner menu thou limited the food was that good we had repeat dishes and tasted as good the first time, needless to mention THE WINES. The pool area and bar (but let's talk about the 2 liter white sangria that wreck me) I must say yes gorgeous view, great pool (showing it's age) if you're sitting on the very upper tier of the lawn you have this tendency of sliding off your lounge (I do get the placement of them but, hummm?) We both had spa services, GREAT massage, one in particular was a facial (not the facials we're used in NYC, to be expected thou), there version more just facial creme and massage, thou extremely relaxing experience, we enjoyed it very much. The property has it's own farm with Romeo and Juliette (the goats) great little walk about area, we loved walking in the gardens in the morning then just onto the vineyard. Quite breathtaking, we totally enjoyed our time at The Douro Palace Hotel Resort & Spa, worth every penny.

Getting to the hotel is a tad challenging but the views along they way make it so worth it! The hotel reception and check-in was good, the rooms big and comfortable. The one senior looking barman was amazing. He saved the day for us.