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Vidago Palace Hotel Review: Portugal’s Hidden Luxury Spa Retreat

Exterior photo of Vidago Palace Hotel in Portugal

Is there anything better than celebrating your birthday at a luxury hotel? I was lucky enough to ring in my birthday at the Vidago Palace Hotel in Northern Portugal, close to the Douro Valley, in January. This trip was a major milestone – and not just because I was turning a year older! After moving from Texas to Lisbon in September 2024, this vacation was my first official road trip in Portugal with my husband. Where better to stay than a 5-star spa resort?

 

You’ll find this luxury hotel just 90 minutes from Porto, making it a great add-on to a city break. This region is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for being the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. As the birthplace of Port, it’s a must-visit for wine lovers, but Douro Valley has also been building its reputation as the perfect spot for a wellness getaway in the Portuguese countryside.

 

I’m taking you behind the scenes at one of the best luxury spa hotels in Northern Portugal and sharing what you can expect when checking in at Vidago Palace Hotel.


Quick Facts About Vidago Palace Hotel

  • Accommodation: 5-star luxury boutique hotel

  • Location: Close to the walkable town of Vidago and 90 minutes from Porto.

  • Rooms: 37 ‘Classic’ rooms, 9 ‘Superior’ rooms, 8 ‘Garden’ rooms, 3 ‘Privilege’ Rooms, 8 Junior Suites, 1 Suite, and 3 Grand Suites.

  • Restaurants: 6 dining options, including The Grand Ballroom, Wine Cellar, Winter Garden, Four Seasons Salon and Bar, Pool Bar, and Club House.

  • Best for: Travelers embracing the wellness trend who want to relax in a luxury hotel with plenty of on-site amenities. 

  • Atmosphere: Historic charm meets modern luxury.

  • Good to know: Some amenities are closed during the winter months, but this resort is still a popular choice for Christmas and New Year’s Eve getaways.

  • For families: Kids club is available at an additional cost for children aged 3 to 16 years old, with a dedicated space for younger kids and a separate area with video games and activities for older kids.

  • For sports enthusiasts: The hotel offers an 18-hole golf course with a driving range, 2 putting greens, and a golf academy.


Accommodations


If you want to stay in a suite without the price tag, the ‘Privilege Room’ is the perfect in-between. Just as spacious as a traditional suite, this room stole my heart with its standalone bathtub when I checked in for my 3-night stay.

 

You can expect a nightly turn-down service with cookies left on your bed as a sweet little nightcap. There are only 3 rooms available in this category, so make sure to book early to snatch one up.

 

Pro-tip: The hotel provides bubble bath and bath salts, along with Molton Brown amenities, so save yourself some luggage space by leaving these at home.


Spa & Wellness Experience

Spa facilities at Vidago Palace Hotel

Portugal is popular amongst wellness travelers thanks to its mineral-rich thermal spas, and you’ll find one available on-property at Vidago Palace. The Thermal Spa allows you to immerse yourself in the ancient Roman tradition of hot springs in elegant surroundings.

 

You can personalize your experience with a spa or medical treatment. I opted for a deep tissue massage, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. The Vichy Shower Thermal Massage is their signature treatment, but you can also enjoy the sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, and relaxation areas.

 

Pro-tip: If you’re only spending the weekend in Vidago, it’s worth dedicating at least one morning to the Vidago Palace Thermal Spa.


Dining at Vidago Palace Hotel


You’ll want to arrive at the Vidago Palace with a serious appetite! Breakfast is served buffet style with unlimited sparkling wine, fresh fruit, and all the classics you would expect of a hot continental breakfast.

 

There are 6 dining locations at Vidago Palace, and the Winter Garden is where we had breakfast each morning. Unfortunately, the Grand Ballroom, which houses the hotel’s Michelin Star restaurant, was closed during our visit.

 

The Wine Cellar became our go-to for dinner, with some of my favorite menu items being the Blood Sausage and Meat Puff Pastry, sourced from Burgos and Chaves, respectively. I also recommend the Low Temperature Egg and Glazed Bisaro Pork. If you’re a fan of a pre-dinner cocktail, you’ll want to visit the Four Seasons Salon and Bar.

 

No hotel stay is complete without ordering room service, which is available for all room categories. Make sure to order the cheeseburger if you’re planning a quiet night in your room.


Things to Do in Northern Portugal and Douro Valley


It’s easy to want to spend all your time at the hotel, but my number one recommendation is splurging on a custom wine tour. We booked this tour of the Douro Valley for my birthday, and it included two winery stops and a lunch at Castas & Pratos, a Michelin Star restaurant.

 

Whether you’re planning a solo trip or considering spending your honeymoon in Vidago, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. Several hiking trails run through Vidago Palace, including the Colinas Trail, which offers stunning views over the hotel and typically takes around 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete.

 

Chaves is just a 20-minute drive from Vidago and has plenty of historic sites to explore, making it a great option for a day trip. Highlights of Chaves include the historic Trajan Bridge and the 17th-century Igreja da Misericórdia.


Where to Eat Near Vidago Palace


Biclaque Trajano in Chaves is worth the twenty-minute drive from the hotel. We treated our tastebuds to duck croquettes, sampled octopus and rice, tried pork neck, and finished off with a mouth-watering chocolate mousse.

 

During our wine tour, we stopped at Castas & Pratos, and this Michelin Star restaurant is one that you’ll want to grab a reservation for. Every course was impeccable, and we had wine included in our meal. While we were seated in the restaurant, you could choose a more casual dining option in the lounge or stop in at the wine bar for a pre-dinner tipple.


Other Dining Options Close to Vidago

  • Restaurante Bataclan: Portuguese and European cuisine, serving dishes like Barrosã steak and house-style codfish.

  • Resineiro: Known for traditional Portuguese dishes like bean stew, Narcisa-style codfish, and grilled steak.

  • Restaurante Campilho: Portuguese cuisine with a selection of vegetarian options. The Lagareiro-style codfish is the must-order menu item.

  • Pizzaria Fernando: Wood-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes like carbonara pasta, perfect for a casual date night.

  • Casa do Capador: A specialty menu with highlights that include roast suckling pig, smoked rice, and chestnut pudding.

  • Restaurante Carvalho: Focused on local regional dishes, such as veal steak, smoked rice, and Carvalho-style migas.

  • Restaurante Aprígio: Expect traditional cuisine with dishes like roast kid, Aprígio-style codfish, and alheira with egg.


Getting Around Douro Valley

View of the Douro Valley in Portugal

While you can enjoy a scenic walk into the town center of Vidago, it’s hard to resist the beauty of the nearby countryside. Expand your itinerary by renting a car to explore the surrounding areas, especially if you’re planning to stay for more than two nights.

 

Pro-tip: If you want to fill your itinerary with activities outside of the hotel, I can arrange a rental car as part of your package, rather than relying on the local taxi service.


In Summary: Is Vidago Palace Hotel Worth It?

Staircase at Vidago Palace Hotel in Portugal

I’ve been singing the praises of Vidago Palace Hotel from the moment I left. This resort is a great year-round option with its spacious rooms and thermal spa, whether you’re having a Euro Summer or want to celebrate the holidays in the picturesque Portuguese countryside.

 

You can choose to spend your time doing everything that the hotel has to offer – including its 6 dining venues – or explore the wider Trás-os-Montes region, including Chaves and Bragança. This resort has earned its spot on my list of the best luxury boutique hotels in Europe.


 

Dreaming of relaxing in the thermal springs with a luxury spa getaway in Portugal? Book a 1-on-1 consultation with an expert planner at Travel Queen LLC to start curating a fully customized package. We’re here to bring your travel vision board to life.


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