As part of a road trip through the north of Portugal I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé for one night.
I have heard a lot of good things about the hotel before my visit and was quite excited, especially about the outside Spa.
Driving up there was a treat! The hotel is located at the top of a hill in the middle of the nature. At several points we just stopped the car to breathe the genuine fresh air and embrace the peace.
You know that saying ‘become one with nature’? That’s how on my arrival to Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé. I could hear the birds, the wind on the fields, the water running in the background and I was not thinking about anything else, just pure relax.
The Hotel
Located in the north of Portugal, in a region considered World Heritage, the hotel has privileged views over the famous vineyards of the area.
At 1,100 m altitude, the hotel scenery is absolutely unique and incredibly romantic. As I was lying on the outdoor water mirror I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how lucky was I to be from such an incredible beautiful country!
How to get there?
If you’re thinking to go to this hotel the best way is to rent a car. From Alfândega da Fé, the closest town, it’s a 14 minutes’ drive. I included this hotel as part of a road trip because there are so many beautiful towns around.
From Porto airport it’s a 2h drive. The route has tolls so be prepared.
The rooms at Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé
The rooms are simple, yet sophisticated with everything you would expect from a 4 Star hotel. All the amenities are provided: TV, kettle for tea and coffee, comfortable bed and spacious bathroom but the pearl is the outdoor balcony.
When I arrived and drop my bags I ran to open the curtains and was presented with an incredible view over the hills. It was so green and quiet that I could not resist having a cup of coffee on the balcony while enjoying the peace that the hotel offers.
The SPA
To give an overall idea the all hotel is pretty much Spa orientated, as there are several areas where you can relax in peace, unwinding from the outside world.
You can just wonder around on a robe (the hotel provides this) feeling cosy!
On the first floor you can book Spa treatments and beautify rituals (check them here). There is also a gym, sauna, Turkish bath, warmed pool and a Jacuzzi.
Outside you can enjoy from massages and Vichy showers. But, the five stars go to the outdoor Jacuzzi warmed to 38ºC, suspended on a platform at 1,100 m altitude. All this services are extra charged. Another feature very relaxing it’s the outside ‘sort’ of pool, which is actually a water mirror.
After I tried all of these I had a little nap while getting the sun rays! It felt so good to do this, you really forget about the rest of the world.
Portuguese food
I had the opportunity to have dinner at the Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé restaurant and I can only say I was really impressed.
It was very quiet, maybe because it was in the middle of the week but it was good in a way because I got to seat by the window. The views are so inspiring and it’s the perfect location to enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal after a day relaxing at the Spa.
The food is cooked to perfection. Delicious flavours and seasoning using the traditional olive oil and herbs from the region, all served in a very stylish way.
There are also two bar areas: inside, where you can get cosy by the fireplace or if the weather allows there is also an outside bar.
Around Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé
On our way to the hotel we made a lot of stops in beautiful towns. Places that I visited when I was a kid and are rich in Portuguese traditions. I wanted to refresh my memory and also show to my husband how beautiful Portugal is beyond Porto and Lisbon.
Very close to the hotel it’s the town of Alfândega da Fé. In this region, depending on the time of the year, you can see the spectacular blossom of the almond trees; pick some fresh cherries or chestnuts and walk along the famous vineyards from where the Porto wine is produced.
As part of a road trip you can include other cities near like Bragança, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Moncorvo, Mogadouro, Vila Flor, Mirandela, Amarante, Peso da Regua, Lamego, Porto and many others that I will write about soon.
You will encounter many rivers, quaint towns full of culture and history toped up the marvellous views and friendly people. If you’re not convinced yet, I leave you some inspiring photos of some of these towns.
Overall opinion
I highly recommend this hotel to everyone – it’s quiet, cosy and will definitely make you feel very special. The rooms are nicely presented; the environment is very relaxing and you will feel recharged in the middle of the nature. I also recommend you to try the restaurant because it’s excellent!
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Have you ever been to Portugal or have plans to go? Would love to hear your experiences!
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I love how this place helps you to get in touch with nature! It looks so beautiful and your pictures surely fuelled some serious wanderlust!
I may or may not be so incredibly jealous right now! This looks exactly like what I need right about now, I am so done with today and it’s only 11am.
I was looking at your photos and all I could say was “Ooh” and “Wow.” That place would guarantee the ultimate relaxation experience! I hope to visit Portugal and stay at that hotel and spa. If I could live there, I would!
WOW! This looks like heaven!! What I wouldn’t give to lie on that lounger looking out on that view, I love Portugal and this is spectacular!
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely fantastic. The views are amazing, the food looks delicious and it sounds like the perfect spot to recharge your batteries.
My heritage is Portuguese so I am always happy when people visit my parents homeland. I love how the spa was part of nature, what a beautiful experience x
Oh my goodness this looks like the perfect place to visit and relax. Can we talk about that food too!!! I love seafood and that octopus looks beyond amazing.
Wow that is such an incredible looking place for a spa, it looks so peaceful and at one with nature x
This looks like a perfect getaway from the world. It looks so peaceful. Thank you for sharing this. I am adding it to my bucket list.
Wow, that’s so stunning! I love the whole idea of this place and it looks really inviting. Awesome share here, Amalia.
Seems like no matter where you are at this spa, the views are stunning! what a great location!
Because I visit Portugal two times per year, I will keep in mind that particular hotel. Thanks for your recommendation. Hugs
Wow that place just looks so amazing. I could see myself in that Jacuzzi or in the pool just chilling out and certainly just lying there looking at that view. Next time I am in Portugal I am going to look into going to this place
What an awesome place to spend our vacation and it really looks an relaxing place for sure plus I love the beautiful view.
The spa certainly looks amazing. I would love visiting all of Portugal really. I have seen some amazing pictures of the places they have out there. So many different places to discover. And the food looks fabulous as well.
Omg the view is stunning adding this place to my bucketlist.
Isn’t this place amazing?!! Loved the infinity pool..will check out if I plan to go to Portugal sometime
Oh my word sign me up for this!! This place looks like heaven! I’ve never been to a spa before but I think I could do this for a vacation lol!
The pool itself convinces me that I need to check out this hotel. But everything else about it is also beautiful! And that view, so pretty.
This place looks just like where I need to be right now Amazing views. I haven’t been to Portugal yet but will take note of this place!
Oh wow how stunning does this place look! Especially those views, you must have felt a million miles away. Such a gorgeous setting. Is a mirror pool just a very shallow pool?
Author
Hi Juliette I did feel really close o the nature there. It’s a mirror pool but you can still go for refresh, X
OMG this is stunning. We have a family friend who runs an authentic resort in southern Portugal. I think we need to go back and visit her so that I can do a side trip to here. Wow….love it.
Author
Wow Kerri, where is it? I would love to visit! X
The hot tub and the pool look interesting. However, I might freak out if I walked to the edge of the walkway and looked down. I’m not David Lee Roth!
Author
I think you would cope because the views are great!
Oh Gosh this place looks amazing. I am so stressed right now so I think that a day or two at the spa would do the trick.
Author
Hey, I think you would benefit from this as it’s remote and you will only get the birds noise over there!
What a place to stay! I can save for months for a vacation here.
You had me with that first photo! Wow, what an absolutely stunning property.
What a treat! This place looks amazing and I’d love to try the outdoor spa myself!
Wow! What a stunning spa hotel! The location is the USP, I feel. I could spend days here without getting bored.
Didn’t know about that area. It looks, from that one landscape photo, like there are some nice trails to walk there. The Spa would be very useful after a 10 mile hike.
Author
Hi Ted, there are a lot of trails to explore around the hotel, definitely the place to go for a hike! X
Wow! This place isn’t only picturesque but also very peaceful, Amalia! When’s the best time of the year to explore this place?
Author
Hey! I think you should go over the summer or winter. In the summer you get some sun which is great but it must be awesome as well during the winter to do the jacuzzi with maybe a bit of snow!
Oh wow this looks an amazing place to stay! The views are stunning and I love the sunloungers.