4-star Hotel / Parador
HDOU7, Sabrosa, Portugal
Charming quinta located in the Douro wine valley
This delightful little hotel forms part of the Quinta do Portal winery complex which has been in the Mansilha family for five generations. From the highly manicured vineyards which surround the hotel the winery produces premium Port wines as well as Douro table wine, fortified Moscatel and ‘a little olive oil’ all to the highest standard.
The owners have applied the same demanding standards to the hotel and its surrounds – from the impeccable gardens and terrace which surround the pool and the attention to detail in the lush interior décor of the lounges and stylish dining room which makes the most of the garden views.
The bedrooms are more traditional and are decorated in a country style with traditional furnishings and subdued tones making for a relaxed, cosy atmosphere. Those in the Casa de Lagar are more modern, with bolder colours and making a feature of the stone walls of the old olive press.
A visit to the architect-designed winery and shop is an absolute must and, depending on the time of year, you may be able to take an active part in the wine making processes. The helpful staff will help you get the most out of your visit whether you’re looking for a boat trip, winery visit, 4×4 ride, bike rental or picnic basket. If you can manage to tear yourself away from the pool the possibilities are endless!
Accommodation
The main house has 12 bedrooms and there is a separate annex – the original olive press – with a further 4 rooms sharing the same facilities.
All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, heating and air-conditioning, flat-screen TV.
Room configuration is as follows:
Casa das Pipas
Standard Double Rooms (queen size bed)<
4 Standard Twin Rooms (2 single beds)
3 Superior Rooms (King size bed)
Casa do Lagar (200 meters from Casa das Pipas)
1 Standard Double Rooms (queen size bed)
1 Standard Twin Rooms (2 separate beds)
2 Family Rooms (4 individual beds)
Hotel Facilities
Tour Booking ServiceWiFi all areas
Spacious Grounds
Garden/Patio/Terrace
Shared Lounge / TV Area
No smoking in hotel
Luggage storage
Air Conditioning
Sports and Wellbeing
Swimming Pool (outdoor, seasonal)Bicycle hire
Room facilities (all rooms)
En-suite bathroomHeating
Air conditioning
WIFI
TV
Fridge / Minibar
Shower over bathtub
Safe deposit box
Dining
Restaurant, open to the publicResaurant / dining room for guests only
Bar for clients only serving drinks and light snacks
Poolside bar, for clients only serving drinks and light snacks
Packed lunch service
Accessibility
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobilityParking
On-site parking (free)
Celeidós, Portugal
Located within the World Heritage demarcated region of Port wine, Sabrosa holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Fernão de Magalhães (Magellan), the renowned Portuguese navigator of the fifteenth century who famously led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.
Sabrosa still preserves several elements from its settlement during the Neolithic period, including dolmens and cromlechs, as well as hill-top forts from the Iron Age. One notable fort is Castro da Sancha, which underwent modifications during the Roman occupation of the region.
Remnants from the medieval era include Palaeo-Christian tombs, and in the surrounding area lies the village of Provesende, whose origins predate the formation of Portugal as a kingdom.
Following the demarcation of the Douro region for wine production in the eighteenth century, Sabrosa experienced a significant period of growth, giving rise to its remarkable manor houses, most of which were constructed during that time.
Nowadays Sabrosa is an administrative centre for a large part of the wine region, stretching down to the Douro River; a typical, fairly sleepy, provincial town with a handful of shops and restaurants, but it does make a good base from which to discover the Douro Valley and nearby Vila Real (of Matheus Rosé fame).
- Wander around the village of Sabrosa for a glimpse of genuine local life and see the birthplace of Magellan.
- 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 Arquelógico 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.
