5-star Hotel / Parador

HDOU5, Pinhao, Portugal

5-star historic wine lodge on the banks of the Douro

Right on the banks of the Douro River, just next to the railway station in Pinhao, with its famous tiled scenes of the wine harvest, this 18th century wine lodge has been converted into one of the region's most prestigious hotels by Taylors, the port makers.

Tastefully restored in the early 2000s bringing the facilities up to date yet maintaining the style and history of the wine lodge, the hotel has 50 rooms and boasts some beautiful antique furnishings and evocative fittings.

The riverside gardens, complete with a handsome swimming pool, offer wonderful views of the river and there's a shady terrace for warmer days. Inside there are plenty of common spaces including the charming library with its wooden beamed ceiling and leather chesterfields.

The staff are very helpful and will certainly help you get the most out of your stay and there's a specialist wine shop within the hotel if you're looking for expert guidance and souvenirs.

Accommodation

50 rooms including four new Master SuitesAll standard rooms have balconies providing breathtaking views over the Douro River letting you enjoy the sunlight and the amazing sunset. They all feature twin beds that can be joined together to create a king size bed, en-suite bathroom with shower over bath, working desk with lamp, LCD TV, telephone, dryer, safe, satellite channels and minibar.As well as the new Master Suites Junior suites and Suite deluxe are also available – please ask for details.

Hotel Features

24 hour reception
Bar
Room service
Pool
Riverside pool and garden
Wine shop
Wine tastings and courses
River cruises can be organised
Laundry
Parking

Restaurant

The Rabelo restaurant offers an ‘A la carte’ menu featuring flavours from the Douro region, prepared with contemporary flair.

Hotel Facilities

24 Hour Reception
WiFi all areas
Lift
Garden/Patio/Terrace
No smoking in hotel
Laundry Service
Air Conditioning

Sports and Wellbeing

Swimming Pool (outdoor, seasonal)
Tennis

Room facilities (all rooms)

En-suite bathroom
WIFI
TV
Fridge / Minibar
Safe deposit box
Desk

Dining

Restaurant, open to the public
Bars / restaurants within walking distance of the hotel
Bar for clients only serving drinks and light snacks
Poolside bar, for clients only serving drinks and light snacks

Accessibility

Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility

Parking

On-site parking (free)

Pinhao, Portugal

In itself a fairly workaday village, though not without charm, Pinhao stands out for its spectacular setting in the valley, on one of the loveliest bends of the River Douro, majestic terraced hillsides dotted with quintas, producing the best port in the world and some excellent wines, on all sides.

Small though it is, Pinhao is the centre of this busy wine producing region and a good place to start your tour of the wineries or just to drive or walk in the surrounding countryside. Its pretty train station is not to be missed, decorated with stunning blue and white tiles “azulejos”, depicting scenes of the vineyards and the 'vendimia' (wine harvest). From here you can make the fantastic train journey through the vineyards up to Pocinho.

The village itself is a good source for stocking up for a picnic. The excellent butcher’s “Talho Qualifer” sells its own smoked meats and sausages, local cheeses and locally baked bread.

Visit the quaint riverside village of Pinhao and delightful train station with its beautiful “azulejos” – tiles. Stunning train ride from here upriver to Pocinho.
Take a romantic boat trip on a WW1 period wooden boat, departing from Pinhao up the River Douro towards Tua.
Drive leisurely round the world’s oldest demarcated vineyards, the whole area a Unesco world heritage site –dazzling beautiful steep terraced vineyards rise dramatically from the imposing river Douro with white washed “quintas” – manor houses perched high above.
Visit the many historical port –wine lodges “quintas” along the valley to sample and buy some of Portugal’s premier wines.
Visit the fascinating village of Provesende with its 18th century baroque church and ten manor houses.
Walking plenty of opportunities all over the area. There is a spectacular walk from Provesende, 600 metres above sea level, down through vineyards to Pinhao.
Visit the handsome town of Lamego and climb the astonishing baroque stairway up to the church of Sehora de Remedios and try their local tipple “raposeira”, fragant sparkling wine. Take a pleasant walk down from Lamego to the Capela de São Pedro in the hamlet of Balsemão – built in the 6th century by the Visigoths – older than Portugal itself!
Discover the Portugal’s first Cistercian monastery São João de Tarouca (now in ruins) and the monastery of Salzedas, built in 1168, one of the grandest in the land, in the wooded Barosa valley, south of Lamego.
Don’t miss a visit to the grand 18th century Palacio de Mateus at Vila Real, famously depicted on bottles of Mateus Rose.
See the world famous gallery of Palaeolithic rock art at the Parque Arquelógico do Vale de Côa. 1
Picnic at the beauty spot of San Salvador del Mundo – hill, vineyard and river views a real treat! 1
Sample the local and traditional restaurants or more sophisticated cuisine experiences renowned for their use of seasonal, locally grown produce.