Octant Hotels Douro

The Douro Valley of northern Portugal isn’t exactly a secret among overseas visitors — the English flocked to the city of Porto centuries ago to taste the sweet wine that made the city famous. But in recent years, seemingly every corner of Portugal has undergone a sort of hospitality renaissance, a trend that’s evident in the construction of sleek seaside properties like Octant Hotels Douro, a contemporary luxury-hotel complex housing 56 rooms and 5 suites.

This sophisticated property, which takes its name from the physical location 41 kilometers the Douro river from Porto, boasts a private pier where sailboats and smaller watercraft bob in unspoiled waters. The modernist multi-level hotel is built into a forested hill; the rooms and suites, each with private balconies, look out over the river or the surrounding mountains. The décor is modern and minimalist, but far from cold, with antique chandeliers, unexpected textures, and vibrant splashes of color adding life to the sleek spaces.

The Octant Hotels Douro complex includes an excellent restaurant where well-trained Portuguese chefs turn out fresh seafood dishes and other traditional classics with an upscale twist. Onsite facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a wine bar, and a well-equipped modern spa. Meanwhile the hotel staff is happy to arrange a variety of excursions, from horseback rides to winery tours to waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more.