Six Senses Douro Valley

Traditionally Portugal hasn’t needed much more than a sunny climate (and maybe a bit of golf) to woo tourists by the tens of thousands. There are places, though, that go above and beyond the basic formula: Six Senses Douro Valley, named for and situated in the wine-making region in the north, is one of these.

This is the modern spa resort par excellence — a painstakingly renovated 19th-century manor house hotel, featuring cutting-edge interiors and a spa offering treatments based on the antioxidant properties of Douro Valley grapes. It hardly needs to be said that the views in any direction more than suffice: gorgeously cultivated vineyards, undulating woods, and the immaculate courtyard, for starters. The two villas are the latest in modernist resort-luxe, with private gardens and heated counter-current pools, and all of the accommodations are sleek and state-of-the-art, equipped with the sort of bathrooms that almost render the spa redundant.

Almost. With 10 treatment rooms, heated pools both in- and outdoor, and recreation facilities spanning over 24,000 square feet, it’s undoubtedly impressive, quite aside from any vine-derived health benefits. The restaurant serves upscale Portuguese specialties from an open kitchen, fortifying plates with produce sourced from the on-site organic garden. Or grab tapas and cheese over cocktails and games at Quinta bar and lounge; fortify yourself beforehand in the interactive “wine library” and terrace, which boasts a massive list of vintages from near and far. It’s ideal as the anchor of a Douro wine tour, or a self-contained escape — that is, if you can contain yourself.

How to get there: Six Senses Douro Valley is located approximately 90 minutes by car from Porto-Aeroporto Internacional Dr. Francisco de Sá Carneiro.