Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has just unveiled its first resort in Europe on 15 July 2015. Located in the beautiful Portuguese UNESCO World Heritage area of the Douro Valley, the property is touched with the romance of 19th century architecture wedded to contemporary interiors reflecting the inimitable Six Senses style.
The resort covers 8 hectares (20 acres) and comprises 57 guest accommodations which range from Superior, Deluxe, River rooms to spacious suites and villas with one, two and three bedrooms. With a décor of light greys and sandy tones, New York based Clodagh Design has created glamorous rooms with eco-friendly materials blending nature with Portuguese traditional design. The use of natural stone, wood and water is emphasized throughout the property.
Chef Paulo Matos heads the culinary team at Six Senses Douro Valley and will embrace his passion for local flavours by offering guests, signature dishes and sharing plates created using traditional open fire ovens and clay pots.
The Vale d’Abraão Open Kitchen and Dining Room offer a generous breakfast in the open kitchen, lunch and dinner in a casual environment with both terrace and enclosed spaces. There will also be a venue focusing on more elaborate dining experiences in the evening, whilst the Quinta Bar and Lounge will operate from late afternoon into evening evolving into an intimate and cozy environment as the day draws to a close. The menus will make extensive use of the open wood burning ovens and Josper Grill with the culinary team cooking and interacting with guests during service.
Another great entertaining venue is The Wine Library which is located at the heart of the resort, featuring a menu of tapas, cheese and smoked hams and local sausage which, when combined with local materials and furnishings, creates an authentic Douro Valley experience. The selection of tempting local charcuterie, cheeses paired with a wide selection of wines by the glass is perfect for learning and celebrating. The room extends onto a covered stone terrace with comfortable armchairs and firepit, where classic films are shown on a giant screen.
An interactive and instructional programme presents leading vintages from the area where guests are guided in the varieties and styles by leading Portuguese winemakers from the surrounding valley and the resort’s wine directors. Top wine magazine and website, Wine Spectator, ranked three wines from Douro in its top five in 2014, and with over 80 grape varieties in Douro guests can participate in every stage of the wine making process from planting and stomping to eventually blending their own wine.
The expansive Six Senses Spa measures over 2,200 square metres (24,000 square feet) and comprises 10 treatments and heated in-door swimming pool with water jets, steam room, Sauna and Laconium. The spa menu includes locally-inspired, grape-based treatments freshly picked from the Douro vineyards and citrus fruits picked from the Douro orchards. There is also a Visiting Practitioner programme which features over 100 of the world’s best wellness healers, practitioners and experts. The group’s popular Yogic Detox and Yogic Sleep Programmes are also offered appealing to different levels of yoga practitioners.
Within the grounds of the resort there is an outdoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the Douro Valley. Other facilities include an activities hut as well as a well-appointed gym housing the latest exercise equipment, aerial yoga and on-site personal trainers. For added relaxation, guests can enjoy meditation nests dotted about the forest or simply retire to the library and peruse a book whist enjoying a fine wine or cocktail.
This serene setting of Six Senses Douro Valley is located 142 kilometres (88 miles) from Porto International Airport. Helicopter arrivals are catered for at the nearby Porto de Lamego helipad. Six Senses Douro Valley is the 11th property to join the rapidly expanding Six Senses portfolio.
