Opened in 2016 in a prime location, Quinta de São Bernardo is a luxury boutique hotel in Douro, in Portugal. Built on a family property dating back to 1912, it has been completely renovated. It currently has nine bedrooms, two of which are suites with private pools. The restaurant is farm to table, the first-class wines and the architectural design, bold and with good taste. Plus, the view is breathtaking! Therefore, an excellent accommodation option for wine lovers and nature on a trip to Portugal. If you are planning your trip to Europe, it is worth taking the car from Porto, visiting the Douro and staying at this excellent hotel in the Douro. Take the opportunity to also read about what it’s like to live in Portugal.
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Hotel boutique no Douro, em Portugal
History
When we arrived by car at Quinta de São Bernardo, there is a very large sign saying that it is prohibited to cross the train tracks. The guest is greeted there by a hotel employee and asked to leave the car. Therefore, we already felt the Quinta’s kind hospitality. If you’re lucky, the owner himself, Diogo Monteiro, will welcome you with all the usual friendliness. You will certainly feel like you are coming home.
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And in fact, it is the home of Diogo’s family, who lived there for several generations, until he, a designer, decided to transform the property into this charming boutique hotel in the Douro. Alongside him, his Brazilian wife Marcela takes charge of reservations, and is always on hand to help with guests’ requests. Therefore, this is one of the differentiators of Quinta de São Bernardo. After all, it is owned by a young couple who are passionate about what they do.
Location
Quinta de São Bernardo is located in Mesão Frio (Barqueiros), 90km from Porto airport, in Portugal. So, the path in itself is a very pleasant walk, surrounded by stunning landscapes.
O hotel
On the first floor, common spaces for guests: the reception with hotel products for sale and a small room with a fireplace and pool table. There is also a wine tasting room, made in the boutique hotel’s own winery in Douro. The property has 15 hectares of land for walks and offers bicycles for those who want to explore the land. In addition, it is also possible to dive in the river and sail on a hotel boat.
bedrooms
The seven rooms and two suites, divided over two floors of the house, are tastefully decorated and offer all the practicality for today’s travelers. The wooden floor gives a cozy feel, as does the wallpaper. In the bathroom, good shower and high quality amenities.
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To bed king size It’s comfortable, the sheets are soft, as are the towels. In addition, bathrobes and slippers are available to guests – and for sale to anyone who wants to take them home. The rooms also have an LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, a Nespresso machine and a minibar.
The two suites are a real charm. They have their own swimming pool and a balcony inviting for leisure moments.
Gastronomy
The restaurant at the boutique hotel in Douro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast table certainly impresses with its variety of delicacies. As it is a small property, it is recommended that guests let us know if they are going to have lunch or dinner. After all, fixed dishes are offered that change every day. At lunch, light dishes, such as sandwiches and salads, but always with a farm to table touch, with inputs harvested from the hotel’s own garden.
At dinner, there are always three main dish options to choose from during the day. It is also possible to schedule a tasting dinner in the new greenhouse, a very romantic and gastronomic program. Remembering that reservations are extremely necessary!
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As a bonus, a breathtaking view of the Douro River. Of course, if you prefer to eat by the pool or on the balcony, that’s also possible. In fact, the owner Marcela is always very attentive to details and personally attends to each guest.
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Wines
Quinta de São Bernardo produces 12 different wines. It also offers daily wine tastings by reservation for guests and non-guests. In addition, it is also possible to take a tour of the winery, accompanied by sommelier Pedro.
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Pool
The infinity pool is certainly Quinta de São Bernardo’s greatest asset. After all, the enigmatic view of the Douro makes guests want to spend hours and hours there doing nothing. Therefore, summer is the ideal time to visit this charming hotel in Portugal. So, take the opportunity to disconnect from your problems and simply relax.
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Activities at the hotel
The boutique hotel in Douro, Portugal, offers activities such as stand up paddle and kayak, as well as a picnic option (at no additional cost). In addition, there is also a SPA, including an indoor pool and a gym.
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Tours
In addition to enjoying a comfortable stay at this boutique hotel in Portugal, Quinta de São Bernardo is at a strategic point for you to discover different points in the Douro region. At the hotel itself, for example, wineries, restaurants and tours in the surrounding area are suggested. Additionally, they help with reservations and provide a driver to take customers to tastings at other wineries.
Boutique hotel family in Douro
Therefore, after having introduced you to Quinta de São Bernardo, this charming boutique hotel in the Douro, I need to confess my family relationship with it. Marcela and Diogo are my stepchildren but that’s not the reason for this post. Well-traveled, demanding and certainly with great taste, they opened this exquisite property in one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. So, if the idea is to travel to disconnect from life, it is certainly worth visiting.
Text and photos by Renata Araújo.
