Torel Palace Porto

Torel Palace Porto may be a modern hotel, but the most cursory glance reveals that the building is far from new. The Palacete Campos Navarro dates back to 1861, and was built by a wealthy local family in the then-current Romantic style. It’s a promising canvas for the kind of small luxury hotel that is Torel Boutiques’ specialty, but it took a thorough reimagining at the hands of designer Isabel Sá Nogueira before it could become the extraordinary hotel you see before you today.

In this incarnation it’s dedicated to Portugal’s poets and writers, with rooms and suites named for the likes of Fernando Pessoa and Bocage. Sizes, layouts, and designs vary widely, though all have certain characteristics in common — they blend historic architecture with cutting-edge contemporary design, and they’re full of ultra-modern comforts, including in-room espresso machines and high-end bath products.

Another eminent Portuguese writer, José Saramago, is the inspiration behind Blind, the ground-floor bar and restaurant by Vitor Matos, from the Michelin-starred Antiqvvm. And there’s even a pocket-sized spa, the Skinlife Wellness Suite — Torel Palace Porto’s scale may be modest, but the experience is anything but.