Set on a hill overlooking Porto on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Duoro River, the Yeatman Hotel is possibly one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Perfect for honeymooners or those looking to make their stay in Porto extra special, this wine-themed hotel is among the best accommodation options in the city. One can throw a lot of superlatives around when describing it; it’s classy, posh, grandiose, opulent. Like a black patent Louboutin stiletto with a bright red sole, it’s at once classic and modern, elegant and sexy.
The rooms
The 82 rooms at the Yeatman are spacious with sliding glass doors that open onto private patios and offer floor-to-ceiling views of Porto just across the river.
The rooms are named after Portuguese wine producers, and each is decorated with soft hues of teal, lime and bright yellow, with leather ottomans, plus easy chairs, and ornate headboards, along with distinctive touches like wine bottles, original artwork, and Portuguese ceramic tiles. Each has a soft bed, work desk, laptop safe, ample closet space, and flat screen tv.
The bathrooms have heated tile floors and deep soaking tubs, from which (if you open the louvered shutters that separate the bathroom from the bedroom) you enjoy the same beautiful views of the city. Caudalie Vinotherapie products are provided, as well as soft, fluffy robes.
The food and wine
As you might expect from a luxury wine-themed hotel, there are several spots for relaxing with a snack and a glass of port or wine. In addition to the pool area lounge and the top floor terrace, there’s Dick’s Bar, which serves cocktails and wines, or the Library Bar, where guests can also enjoy a cigar from the hotel’s humidor. But the main culinary attraction is the hotel’s restaurant, which serves modern versions of traditional Portuguese food in set tasting menus matched with wine. Guests can also opt to have a private dinner served on their room’s terrace.
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The spa
Even if you don’t stay at the Yeatman, don’t miss indulging in a spa treatment. Prices start at 65-105 euros for wraps, scrubs and massages using Caudalie Vinotherapie products. You can also book single or multi-day packages that start at 210 euros, not including accommodation. Several treatments use wine or grapes, like the moisturizing honey and wine wrap, the firming merlot scrub or the relaxing grape bath. My husband and I opted for a “pulp friction” massage (for two) with fresh grapes, and while I will say the sensation of having cold grapes squeezed and rubbed all over me while the juice ran over my body was a bit strange, at the end I felt very relaxed and refreshed, and my skin was soft, smooth, and hydrated.
Spa guests are also welcome to use the relaxation area, the sauna, the Roman baths, the shower experience (which alternates pressure and temperature in a private shower), foot baths, ice fountain, heated stone lounger, and indoor pool.
The grounds
The Yeatman sits on the top of a hill on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River, close to Porto’s many port wine houses. In addition to the spa and dining options, there’s a large garden and croquet lawn, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, several lounge areas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and eleven meeting and event rooms.
The experience
While the rooms at the Yeatman meet luxury standards and the location is ideal for exploring all the delights of Porto, what really makes the Yeatman shine is the level of service. Staff is always available but unobtrusive, ready to help with directions, call a taxi, or arrange dinner reservations. When I discovered I’d left the adapter for my phone charger, the staff happily lent me one for my stay.
For those traveling with kids, the Yeatman also provides all day babysitting and entertainment as part of the Kids Club. And the Yeatman is eco-friendly – solar panels heat the water, low-energy lighting is used throughout, the hotel sources supplies locally, and the gardens are a haven for local birds and plant life.
For a luxury wine getaway in the Porto, I highly recommend the Yeatman. Staying here doesn’t come cheap, but if you can afford the splurge, it’s well worth it for the beautiful views, elegant rooms, and excellent service. If you can’t swing an overnight, be sure to stop by for a drink and the view or for an indulgent spa treatment.
All photos by the author and may not be used without permission. I was a guest of the Yeatman Hotel, but my opinions are my own.