Readers' Choice Awards 2019, 2021
Best hotel in Porto for industrial chic meets the Douro
While many hotels in Porto boast views of the city and River Douro, the most unique can be found at The Rebello, which is Bomporto Hotels’ third project in Portugal. On a bend in the riverfront of Vila Nova de Gaia, past the docked Rabelo port boats that have inspired its name, the hotel stands on its own across four industrial buildings reimagined by interior designer Daniela Franceschini and brand designer Nat M. Waterman. Its 103 apartment-style suites each come clad in concrete, with a kitchen of varying sizes and art objects by Portuguese makers. If you have a river view, open the curtains and you will feel like you are floating on it.
The kitchens are convenient, but visitors would be amiss not to visit the Pot & Pan restaurant on the ground floor, which hints at a part of the hotel’s past as a kitchen utensils factory and serves traditional Portuguese dishes with a modern twist. Upstairs is a rooftop bar, Bello, with more sweeping views and a drinks and food menu that wants to wander the world.
When it’s time to relax and reconnect, walk—seemingly—through a wheat field to a wellness center and spa with several treatment rooms, a gym, a sauna, and an indoor pool inspired by Roman baths—with lamps that mimic the phases of the sun and moon. The charming Little Rebels kids club at the hotel ensures you can spend more time here, too.
The Rebello is on the other side of the pedestrianized port cellar area, and it’s easy to take day trips from here. For us, the team arranged a Douro Valley Tour with the professional team at North Senses. We were whisked away in a luxury car before boarding a wooden riverboat at Pinhão and disembarking at the lush Quinta do Ventozelo.
Address: Cais de Gaia 380, 4400-245 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal