After staying at the Quinta do Vallado, we continued our journey through the Douro Valley, a region in northern Portugal famous for its delicious wines. During our stay at the Quinta de Ventozelo, we experienced more of this magnificent natural region, all in a gorgeous hotel perfect for relaxing.
A Quinta of Great Beauty
Quinta de Ventozelo is one of the oldest and largest quintas in the region with its 400 hectares, half of which are vineyards. Before being transformed into a luxury hotel, this property was a simple wine farm located in an extraordinary environment in the heart of the Douro Valley. Naturally, some of its buildings have been renovated over the years, with a superb transformation that has preserved the “soul” of the site.
A Handful of Rooms and Suites
With only 29 rooms and suites spread across several buildings, it's safe to say that privacy is a priority here. In terms of decor, the hotel’s designers have managed to reconcile modern architecture with the site’s rustic simplicity. This gives it a very boho-chic, fashionable look that I absolutely loved!
Different categories of rooms and suites of varying sizes are available to the handful of lucky guests who come here to relax. The first category of rooms, called Casa do Laranjal, are located in a former barn which has been renovated and divided into 5 double rooms. The Casa Grande, meanwhile, is a fully equipped house with 6 rooms, perfect for a large family. For more intimacy and romance, the Casa Romantica is the place to book: this suite offers a magnificent view of the olive groves, offering an ideal getaway for two!
Time to Eat!
The hotel’s unique restaurant, La Cantina de Ventozelo, is the place to go at mealtimes! It used to serve as the quinta workers’ canteen, but today it has been transformed into a chic restaurant that focuses on local gastronomy, using ingredients from the quinta or the surrounding region whenever possible.
Guests can head there in the morning for a typical Portuguese breakfast with high-quality products from the region. At lunch, the restaurant offers several set menus, but it also has lighter cuisine with salads, sandwiches, and plates of cold cuts and Portuguese cheeses. At dinnertime, guests are served typical Portuguese cuisine, such as the famous bacalhau (cod) or pork cooked at low temperature (Bisaro style) with vegetables from the region, all accompanied by wines from the quinta, of course!
Not to Mention Activities…
When it comes to activities, there is plenty to do! First of all, you can take a walk through the vineyard paths; I would recommend heading out shortly before sunset, when the view is at its best. You can also indulge in a wine tasting and a visit of the quinta. We decided to skip this option, as we had done a similar tour the day before at the Quinta do Vallado.
As for the swimming pool, it’s just exceptional—clearly the establishment’s ace in the hole! Located in the heart of the vineyards, it offers an incredible panoramic view overlooking the Douro below! A view that you can't get enough of at any time of day…
The Verdict
The Quinta de Ventozelo is one of the most beautiful domains in the Douro valley and offers a sublime setting for admiring the beauty of the region, whether from your room (if you have a terrace) or from the restaurant, not to mention the swimming pool, where you can relax in style! A true immersion experience in Portuguese culture and the best it has to offer!
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Practical Information
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.