Porto, Portugal
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
Design-Forward Hideaway
What it is
A seafront 19th century estate reborn as a modernist boutique hotel, with 68 rooms (many in an adjoining addition), two restaurants and a cozy spa with bespoke treatments, a Turkish bath and indoor pool.
What it isn't
Unattractive. As a member of the ultra exclusive Design Hotels, every element here is visually exquisite (note the river of LED lights wending snake-like through the spa hallway).
What we think
Maybe it’s the Rolls-Royce that ferries guests to the airport. Or the pro trainers on staff who’ll be delighted to take you through town on a jogging tour. But there’s something about this villa-turned-luxury hotel that feels ultra pampering. Interiors by Nini Andrade de Silva, one of Portugal’s most lauded designers, are pure eye candy; just note the sculptural headboards rising like a wave over the downy beds, or the jewelry-like bauble light fixtures. Manor House Rooms are tucked in the top floor of the original estate, with sky-high ceilings (ask for one with a view of the Atlantic Ocean); the 516-square-foot Vila Foz Suite has a separate living room and glass-walled showers. Whichever room you choose, expect luxe amenities—including 24-hour room service, turn-down, gratis loaner bikes, and toiletries from Maison Codage Paris.
You're here because
This was the first luxury hotel in the area, and you always opt for quality over quantity.
The Moment
Under the gleaming gilt ceilings at Vila Foz restaurant, you could swear your lobster with salsify tastes extra divine. Or maybe it’s that the misty seaside walk you took this afternoon has entirely reset your senses.
Restaurants & Bars
Vila Foz Restaurant - contemporary fine dining featuring authentic flavors of the Portuguese coast
Location
Perched across the street from the Atlantic Ocean—and a sandy, slightly rocky beach that teems with locals sunning themselves—in Porto. Design obsessives won’t want to miss Se Catedral, or Porto Cathedral, built in the 12th century and lined in the timeless blue and white tiles Portugal is renowned for.