I consider Porto one of the most exciting cities in Portugal . Located at the mouth of the Douro, where the river kisses the sea, here we find everything the country has to offer: exquisite gastronomy, historic buildings and a pulsating cultural life.
Combine that with a thoughtful hospitality, and then we have a complete experience. But it’s in Vila Nova de Gaia city on the other side of the Douro which has the best views of Porto, which is home to one of the most incredible hotels in the region: the The Yeatman .
Neighboring the cellars of the most famous Port wine producers, the five-star hotel surprises us in the smallest details.
Whether for the landscapes of the Douro and the riverside of Porto, for the wine aspect that fills every corner or even for its two Michelin star restaurant the hotel is like an oasis in one of the most populated cities in Portugal.
The hotel
Opened in 2010, The Yeatman is like an urban resort and occupies an area of over 30,000 square meters in a waterfall-effect construction. This means that the lobby is on the top floor and the accommodations are spread over the lower floors.
The decor is based on a more classic English style, which is complemented with Portuguese hospitality.
Located in the heart of one of the European capitals of wine, the downtown Porto it is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel (the tip is to discover the city on foot!); Porto International Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Interestingly, here, we realize that it is not only the proximity of the cellars that feeds the wine theme. Our entire experience at The Yeatman actually revolves around the drink.
The spa has treatments based on grapes, the rooms have names and objects that refer to renowned Portuguese wine producers and the hotel is just a few steps from the WOW, a complex that functions as a “cultural quarter” and is dedicated to the world of wine.
accommodations
In all, there are 109 rooms and 20 suites, and each one has a large terrace with direct views of the city of Porto. From the rooms you can see the ribeira, the D. Luís I Bridge and even see must-see sights, such as the Clérigos Tower and other parts of the center.
Each of the rooms is named after a Portuguese wine producer, in which the interior of the rooms is filled with paintings and objects, such as wine bottles, which are alluding to the region and the traditions of that particular brand.
Accommodations are divided into four categories: executive rooms, superior rooms, superior deluxe rooms and suites, which also come in different styles and sizes.
The smaller suites are 40 m²; the largest of them, the presidential suite, has 170 m², which includes a bed in the shape of a barrel. The Presidential Suite even opens onto a balcony measuring 115 m² – a telescope in the reading room helps guests to appreciate the view that the exterior provides even more.
starred cuisine
In addition to being one of the most emblematic hotels in the entire region, one of the highlights of The Yeatman lies in its cuisine. The town’s main restaurant, which bears the exact same name as the hotel, holds not just one, but two Michelin stars.
under the baton of chef Ricardo Costa one of the references of Portuguese gastronomy that won its first Michelin star at the age of 28, the restaurant’s cuisine is described as “imaginative”, in which traditional Portuguese flavors arrive at the table with a contemporary touch.
In addition to the winery being praised by the traditional guide as one of the best in the whole country, I highlight the restaurant’s tasting menu, which is innovative and presents us with seasonal ingredients with a balance of flavors.
Next to the chef, I was able to have a memorable meal at the restaurant while filming the fourth season of CNN Travel & Gastronomy . It was a lunch described by the chef as “not complex”, in which he recreated some Portuguese traditions in an inventive way.
To start, I tried a barbecue chicken sandwich, in which the crispy skin is served with the flavor of Algarve barbecue chicken. The second snack was based on a nori seaweed crunchy with lily and cucumber.
Then I was served a new dish, which was added to the menu this year: cauliflower, zamburiñas (which are like mini scallops) and cural sauce. For the main course, black pork with black truffles with morilles, a type of mushroom. In short, it is a true journey through delicious flavors that leave us in a state of delight.
On the menu, we also find a variety of fish and fresh products that combine regional specialties. The seasonal tasting menu costs €210 per person, with the possibility of pairing with wine that takes us on a journey through the wineries of Portugal.
The hotel also has The Orangerie Restaurant, which offers a relaxed menu designed by chef Ricardo Costa, and Dick’s Bar and Bistro, which serves food throughout the day also curated by Ricardo.
Here, snacks are best enjoyed alongside cocktails and, of course, glasses or bottles of wine. Like the main rooms of the hotel, the space has a panoramic terrace with lovely views of Porto – breakfast, as breakfast is called, is served in a lounge with windows that provide direct views to the other side of the Douro.
Cellar with 30 thousand labels
Given the connection with wine, as well as the zeal for labels and producers, The Yeatman also has a Wine Director. Microbiologist by training, Elisabete Fernandes take care of the fence 30 thousand bottles from the cellar called here as a wine cellar, in which about 94% of the labels are national.
I realized that wine is treated the way it has to be: as a link of pleasure, comfort and joy. Next to the sommelière, I did a tasting in which I Portugal without leaving Porto. In all, there are around 109 wine partners – the same number of rooms – associated with the hotel.
As expected, the end of the tasting was toasted with a port wine, Taylor’s Single Harvest from 1968 bottled in 2018, which is 50 years old.
Speaking of producers, the hotel also promotes wine dinners. Every Thursday, there is a dinner with the presence of one of the Portuguese wine producers in which, on the occasion, four main courses are prepared and each wine and each dish are paired.
Experiences: treatments with grapes
To complete the experiences, the hotel also has a 2,000 m² spa with ten treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, barrel bath immersions, hammam (Turkish bath) and sauna.
The most varied massages are offered, as well as the most different treatments that, for the most part, use products based on ingredients extracted from the vine with antioxidant properties.
The indoor and outdoor pools complete the experience of an urban resort, which, almost as a hotel motto, have the best views of the whole of Porto. We also find a complete gym, library and wine store. It is also worth noting that the environment is pet friendly.
The Yeatman
Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Phone: +351 220 133 100
Official site.
Source: CNN Brasil
