Smart Splurge
Built into a hillside and furbished like an old Quinta, but with fully modern design, Aquapura offers chic rooms in the main building with a zen ambience, while private villas come with plunge pools and vineyard views.
2008 SMART LUXURY WINNER
Spa Bliss Among the Vines
It’s hard to put a finger on why it took so long for the lens to turn to the Douro Valley. It was long overlooked by the glam set, despite containing some of Europe’s most scenic countryside. In recent years, interest in Portuguese regional wine has surged (spurred on by the so-called Douro Boys, a group of local winemakers who popularized the area’s offerings), and gradually small, refined hotels began to spring up in the valley. Then came the spa. Sure, Aquapura’s got a serene, Asian-inspired decor and Phillippe Bossert – an acolyte of Alain Ducasse – as head chef, but it’s the 23,600-square-foot spa that is the main draw, with holistic treatments based on organic Ytsara and oxygen-based Karin Herzog products. Best season for value: spring.
Great Value Alternative: CS Vintage House was the area’s first luxe property. From $117/night; www.hotelvintagehouse-douro.com
See more Smart Luxury Award winners
We loved this hotel. The location is fabulous, on a bend in the douro river valley. I had considered a few other places, and when I saw them, compared to Aquapura, I knew I selected correctly for us. This hotel is set back from the road and has... more
We have already stayed in this hotel once, in October 2007. The impression we’ve got was excellent, and we decided to return at the earliest opportunity. However, this time, we noted two shortcomings that did not exist on our first visit: The... more
My friend and I stayed at the hotel for 6 nights in April. We were given a beautiful suite with a great view of the river. We loved the lounge chairs in the sitting room. It really is a unique and fabulous property, but because we came early in the... more
I stayed one night in Aquapura last May, during a business event and I have to say that was a very nice stay. The notel is very confortable and it pays tribute to the great location and to the breathtaking region landscape. more
I just hv good thinks to say about aquapura, actually writing this review from my room here, so great staff, great spa, great restaurants, location, design. So you really hv to come here everything is preparedo for u to relax and your... more
