Octant Douro – A Luxury Property in the Douro Valley
Monica Tindall
Octant Douro Hotel is a tranquil and luxurious retreat situated on the banks of Castelo de Paiva, Portugal. Its location provides guests with a sanctuary where the chaos of everyday life melts away like the morning mist. The hotel’s design and architecture seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious connection to the landscape.
The architectural characteristics of Octant Douro Hotel are designed to enhance the connection with the natural landscape. Built with schist and glass, the hotel seamlessly integrates into the terraced hillside, offering magnificent views of the river and mountains. The interior spaces are designed by Cristina Jorge Carvalho, who brings a contemporary and minimalist approach while emphasizing the connection to nature.
Octant Douro Hotel Location
Octant Douro is about a 40-minute drive from Porto, making it easily accessible for guests arriving by plane. The hotel can arrange a transfer from Porto for around EUR 90, or guests can rent a car to explore the surrounding area at their own pace.
The hotel offers a unique and modern experience deeply connected to the surrounding natural beauty, making it a great choice for those seeking a retreat away from the typical tourist routes. The landscape surrounding the hotel is abundant with carqueja plants, which adds to the charm. There are a wealth of nearby attractions, such as the romantic Ilha dos Amores (Lovers’ Island) and the renowned Paiva Walkways, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests can also indulge in refreshing dips at the nearby river beaches or get involved in some oenotourism.
While the region is inviting to explore, we’re so at peace at Octant Douro that we’re quite content to stay in. We’ve been on a whirlwind tour of Portugal, and this luxurious property is our final stay in the country. It’s a flawless conclusion to our trip, combining everything we’ve fallen in love with in one place – breathtaking natural beauty, incredible gastronomy and friendly, heartfelt service.
Rooms & Suites
The rooms and suites feature modern décor and offer striking views of the river and lush green banks. The interior spaces are thoughtfully designed with clean lines and smooth surfaces, creating a relaxing mood accentuated by the stunning glass walls framing Mother Nature’s gifts. Whether it’s a Deluxe room with a relaxing mountain outlook or a Pool Suite with a private heated pool, each accommodation option is designed with contemporary style and comfort in mind.
While nature reigns supreme, each room has modern amenities such as Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, Marshall speakers, individually-controlled air conditioning, minibars, and espresso machines. The bathrooms feature heated floors, soothing even in the summertime, and we’re grateful to see the commitment to reducing single-use plastic with reusable pumps for bath products. The turn-down service goes above and beyond, offering a sleeping kit with an eye mask, earplugs, aromatherapy spray for the pillow, and materials for making a cup of herbal tea.
Food & Beverage
The hotel boasts three restaurants that showcase local cuisine and offer an extensive selection of Douro wines. The À TERRA Bar and Canteen is a place to savour the region’s flavours while enjoying a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The Terrace Pool & Grill on the 10th-floor offers grilled cuisine and stunning views of the surroundings. And, Raiva restaurant takes diners on a journey through the most important eno-gastronomy region in the world, the Douro Valley. In the Michelin guide, led by Chef Dárcio Henriques, it’s an experience not to be missed. Read about Raiva’s Tasting Menu with Sommelier Wine Pairing here.
Hotel guests enjoy breakfast with inspirational views at Raiva restaurant on the second floor. The menu is a compact and high-quality spread. House-made bread is a highlight with multiple loaves and buns, savoury and sweet, ready to satisfy carb cravings. Continental offerings include standard cereals along with more gourmet options of house-made granola, muesli and a mix of nuts and seeds. Milk is provided as full cream, skim, and plant-based choices. Yoghurt is made on-site with natural, Greek and kefir versions. A lovely selection of local cheeses and cured meats are on the tables of most Europeans, and there are also a handful of hot items such as bacon, beans and mushrooms to go with made-to-order eggs, pancakes or oatmeal.
Complementing the restaurants, Octant Douro also houses a magnificent wine-tasting room overlooking the river. In-house sommelier Bernardo Pinho hosts informative wine-tasting sessions here, exploring the region’s wines. We sign up for a fascinating comparison of Douro wines (those from the Portugal length of the river) to Duero wines (those from the Spanish side). As the two countries play off, we meet other wine-loving guests casually and form friendships with like-minded travellers. It’s a wonderfully engaging afternoon, delicious, informative and socially satisfying.
Facilities
The view from our suite, the restaurants and the wine-tasting rooms is so beautiful we already have a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation. However, the hotel provides several facilities that also take advantage of its breathtaking location. We have our pick of three pools, all in stunning settings. The rooftop pool on the tenth floor offers expansive views of the Douro River and the surrounding hills and is complemented by food and beverage service. The pool on the third level is also surrounded by beautiful scenery, and the heated indoor pool is lined with glass offering a tranquil escape in cooler weather. In addition to the pools, Octant Douro has a sauna, steam room, rain shower, spa and small fitness room. We make good use of all of the facilities but the spa. Despite my fondness for a good massage or facial, there’s just no more time to squeeze a session in. However, it’s well-noted for a return visit.
Boat Trip & Picnic
Supplementing the exceptional amenities and services, the team at Octant Douro can arrange any number of unique experiences. We set off on a private boat trip, including a picnic on Love Island, a small outcrop between rivers. During our Portugal trip, we’ve seen the river from many angles, but viewing it from the water’s surface offers a new perspective. The two-hour voyage takes us past villages, river beaches and upstream of one of the least-polluted rivers in Europe, the Paiva River. Its clean, serene surface is ideal for a gentle cruise, paddle boat or kayak excursion. It’s a little too chilly for us to take a dip, but we admire the freshwater springs along its edges and luscious greenery-lined banks.
Octant Douro Hotel Review
Octant Douro Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it’s a destination that offers a local kind of luxury. With its idyllic location, contemporary design, superb gastronomy offerings, and personalised experiences, it promises an unforgettable stay amidst the breathtaking landscapes of northern Portugal.
Reasons to stay at Octant Douro Hotel: incredibly beautiful location; a luxury stay with a streamlined contemporary design facilitating peace and tranquility; excellent food and beverage options; great indoor pool and facilities; vibrant and helpful service team.
Octant Douro Hotel
Estrada Nacional 222 km 41, 4550-631 Castelo de Paiva, Portugal
+351 255 690 160
https://douro.octanthotels.com
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You can say that again – luxury indeed!