The Best Small Hotel in the Douro Valley, Portugal

Location & Getting There

Quinta de São Bernardo is located where the Douro Valley begins. It's a two-three-hour train ride east of Porto, just past the Vinho Verde region. We took the train here, which I highly recommend doing, because you can put your feet up and enjoy the spectacular views of the Douro River. The train follows this river for the majority of the journey, granting you excellent viewing delight! Once you arrive at the quaint train station, a hotel staff member will greet you in a small golf cart. You will then drive together for a few minutes on a private road to the hotel.

Quinta de São Bernardo is special because unlike other quintas in the area, this one is located just a few minutes' walk from the nearby (small) train station. More importantly, its situated on the right side of the train tracks with access to the river. Quinta de São Bernardo prides itself on water activities (boats, canoes, etc.).

You can also travel there by car. From what we heard, the drive is manageable and has beautiful views.

Facilities

With only about ten rooms on the property, you will feel like a family guest getting specialized touches throughout your whole stay. From the start, you will be warmly greeted by the hotel staff, offered a glass of local wine, to the moment you realize they prepped your bedroom for sleep while you were at dinner. We had a double room with a full-sized window, and a Juliet balcony overlooking the river. You can find rooms of varying size, river-views, and affordability.

Quinta de São Bernardo is a luxury hotel. With that said, it is approachable and has more of a boutique, immersive feel. For even more affordable rates, consider traveling in the shoulder seasons of late March through April or late September through October.

The meals are for the most part farm-to-table, with food sourced on the property or from nearby. You will wake up to a beautiful array of breakfast options (from homemade pumpkin jam, homemade loaves of bread, fresh espresso, and so much more). Lunch is available for purchase (and affordable). You can opt in for the farm-to-table dinner every night where the chef develops a multi-course meal. This is a must while here. We ended up doing it both nights, because it was a beautiful experience.

Just note that due to the location, you might want to anticipate buying your lunches and dinners from here (You won't be running out to buy a pizza anywhere nearby). Know that dinner is a splurge and you should anticipate the cost, but it is 1000% worth it.

Activities

Quinta de São Bernardo has an infinity pool overlooking the Douro River, an indoor heated pool, a small gym for morning workouts and a spa for massages and other relaxing treatments. You can also grab a book and read right on the dock while you listen to the water pass by. There is access to boats for water fun.

Quinta de São Bernardo offers wine tastings of their wine, a winery tour and so much more. A highlight for us is that we took e-bikes out for the day and climbed the hills to the nearby town, Mesão Frio. I highly recommend this if you are (at least somewhat) adventurous. You will get to enjoy some of the most majestic views, which rival that of Lake Como, Italy (in our opinion).

I cannot recommend Quinta de São Bernardo enough! I would make the grandiose claim that this is the best hotel in the Douro Valley, and maybe all of Portugal. It's a perfect place for couples especially, traveling on your honeymoon or another romantic getaway. While you can find some affordable room options in the shoulder season, don't forget to budget in the cost of lunch and dinners here. You can rest and relax here, fulfill your wine connoisseur dreams or be adventurous. You will LOVE Quinta de São Bernardo no matter your travel style.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Portugal. In need of further inspiration? Check out Rebecca Hanson’s guide, More Than Shoes: My Fantastic Visit to Christian Louboutin's Boutique Hotel in Portugal — Vermelho.