Perched high above the Douro in the delightful Vale de Mendiz (known as the valley of gold), with the most stunning views of the surrounding hills and terraced vineyards snaking their way down the valley to Pinhao, this lovely, small rural hotel makes a perfect base for exploring the region.

At one time the Magalhaes family home and estate, producing port since 1870, it was transformed into a hotel with all modern comforts in 2005.

With a working bodega attached, two swimming pools, beautifully maintained grounds and its own restaurant with superb views, serving tasty regional food and the estate's excellent wine, the friendly, efficient and informative staff will ensure your stay is a special one.

In this unforgettable setting they can organise a wine tasting and tour of their vineyards and trips on foot, by bike, boat and jeep so that you can a real feel for the whole area.

Accommodation

The hotel has 14 spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms – 13 are twin/double and one is a triple. They are on the ground and first floor of the hotel. 
All rooms are traditionally decorated and are equipped with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, telephone, safe, minibar and a desk.

Hotel Features

Two outdoor swimming-pools with breath-taking views of the valley.
Beautifully maintained grounds.
Wine tasting and guided visits to the vineyards.
Hotel can organise excursions on foot, by bike, boat and jeep.
Picnics can be provided.
Wine shop.
Sitting room.
Chapel.
WIFI.
Playground for children.
Private parking in grounds.

Restaurant

Full buffet breakfast featuring local produce served in the first floor restaurant.Restaurant (open to the public) with fireplace, serving very good, home cooked, regional food using best quality, seasonal ingredients at reasonable prices. Excellent wines and the estate’s Magalhaes port too!Other restaurants in the valley and at Pinhao (6 kms).

Hotel Facilities

Tour Booking Service
WiFi all areas
Spacious Grounds
Shared Lounge / TV Area
No smoking in hotel
Luggage storage
Air Conditioning

Sports and Wellbeing

Swimming Pool (outdoor, all year)
Swimming Pool (outdoor, seasonal)

Room facilities (all rooms)

En-suite bathroom
Heating
Air conditioning
WIFI
TV
Fridge / Minibar
Walk-in shower
Shower over bathtub
Safe deposit box

Dining

Resaurant / dining room for guests only
Poolside bar, for clients only serving drinks and light snacks
Packed lunch service

Accessibility

Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility

Parking

On-site parking (free)

Pets

Pets allowed by prior arrangement - please consult

Vale de Mendiz, Portugal

A peaceful rural spot among the vineyards of the Douro Valley famous for its dramatic landscape and for being the worlds first Demarcated Wine Region from 1756 – beating Bordeaux by nearly 100 years!

Vale de Mendiz is the perfect place to relax and get away from it all yet at the same time, being near Pinhao, it is well placed to explore all the highlights of this stunning region.Visit the fascinating village of Provesende with its 18th century baroque church and ten manor houses.

  • Take a romantic boat trip on a WW11 period wooden boat, departing from Pinhao up the River Douro towards Tua.
  • Drive leisurely round the world’s oldest demarcated vineyards, the whole area a Unesco world heritage site –dazzling beautiful steep terraced vineyards rise dramatically from the imposing river Douro with white washed “quintas” – manor houses perched high above.
  • Visit the many historical port –wine lodges “quintas” along the valley to sample and buy some of Portugal’s premier wines.
  • Visit the quaint riverside village of Pinhao and delightful train station with its beautiful “azulejos” – tiles. Stunning train ride from here upriver to Pocinho.
  • Walking plenty of opportunities all over the area. There is a spectacular walk from Provesende, 600 metres above sea level, down through vineyards to Pinhao.
  • Visit the handsome town of Lamego and climb the astonishing baroque stairway up to the church of Sehora de Remedios and try their local tipple “raposeira”, fragant sparkling wine. Take a pleasant walk down from Lamego to the Capela de São Pedro in the hamlet of Balsemão – built in the 6th century by the Visigoths – older than Portugal itself!
  • Discover the Portugal’s first Cistercian monastery São João de Tarouca (now in ruins) and the monastery of Salzedas, built in 1168, one of the grandest in the land, in the wooded Barosa valley, south of Lamego.
  • Don’t miss a visit to the grand 18th century Palacio de Mateus at Vila Real, famously depicted on bottles of Mateus Rose.
  • See the world famous gallery of Palaeolithic rock art at the Parque Arquelogico do Vale de Côa.
  • Picnic at the beauty spot of San Salvador del Mundo – hill, vineyard and river views a real treat!
  • Sample the local and traditional restaurants or more sophisticated cuisine experiences renowned for their use of seasonal, locally grown produce.