Vidago Palace, the Belle Époque

Vidago Palace

Welcome to the splendor and refinement of the Belle Époque!

Come with us and feel transported to another era.

Beauty associated with history, good service and luxury awaits us at this magnificent centennial hotel.

Every detail is taken care of with the finest detail and refinement, nothing is left to chance.

As soon as we enter, we are transported to another world, another era ... And right there our gaze goes to the imposing staircase that dominates our attentions. Wow ... but first you have to check in.

At the reception we're greeted with a smile and the service is done in a peculiar small dark green "Pagoda" ... Beautiful!

The entrance staircase carpet was handmade in the traditional Beiriz, as well as that of Noble Hall (9x26meters), simply wonderful. The latter had to be done on site and in 7 steps, given its grandeur! We can't even imagine all the work they must have done, but it's admirable.

Entrance staircase

Detail of the main staircase painting

The double staircase of the entrance makes us dream immediately! It makes you want to stay there, simply admiring all its nooks and intricate details. High ceilings, huge columns, statues, baseboards, everything is in perfect harmony. Majestic and stunning.

The hotel has 365 windows ... Not by chance or coincidence, but ... one window for each day of the year!

We feel that Mrs. J. K. Rowling, if she had been here too, would certainly love it and would be inspired a little more for her stories and adventures of Harry Potter ahahahah.

First opened in 1910 (more precisely on October 6, one day after the implementation of the Portuguese Republic), it was conceived in the reign of D. Carlos I.

The Vidago region was already known in Europe for its excellent thermal waters and the king, who frequented the place, wanted to create something luxurious for himself, his family and the European elite who sought these waters.

One of Vidago's therapeutic water springs

This hotel is really fantastic and is very much associated with thermalism, since the Vidago waters are and have always been recognized for their therapeutic properties. These are naturally carbonated waters ... Something really rare, as only 0.5% of the world's bottled waters have this property!

Any visitor can taste these strong flavored waters with a short description of its properties and main therapeutic usages. There is always someone with a smile on their face available to help us.

Where the water is extracted

The small great details of this hotel are really different from what we are used to, even in good hotels... The newspaper we requested during the check in, hanging from a rag bag on the bedroom door, arriving at night and having a delicately embroidered linen cloth beside the bed so we don't have to put our feet directly on the carpet... Seriously... Completely surrendered.

Our room was not particularly large, but extremely comfortable and charming.

Two small armchairs invite you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the immense brightness that floods the room every morning.

The bathroom... unique! Vintage style in all its glory. The delicate materials, everything shining and elegant. And the bathtub... Beautiful!!!!!

All the details of the décor... from the chosen woods, the wallpapers, the type of lights and chandeliers, all chosen with immense good taste.

The hotel, as we initially said, was first opened in 1910 and closed for restoration in 2010. As a curiosity, did you know that the restoration lasted longer than the construction of the hotel itself?! It's true, the restoration went on for 4 years. But it was well worth it as it led this hotel to be part of something truly special in the luxury hotel world, a restricted club only within the reach of the best ... The Leading Hotels of The World.

From this new facelift were part, among others, big names such as interior designer José Pedro Lopes Vieira and Diogo Rosa Lã. Its interior was then completely removed, restored and placed again in its initial locations, thus preserving all its original beauty and glory... 4 years have passed for its grand reopening and splendor.

Our so famous architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira, was responsible for the wonderful and relaxing spa!

Spa da Clarins

Sauna, outdoor Jacuzzi, hammam, relaxation room and treatment rooms are at our disposal, always accompanied by extremely attentive professionals, that are remarkably proud to be part of this "Family"!

There are also 2 swimming pools, one smaller, indoor and heated for the cold winter days, and a beautiful large outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers that invite to relaxation, vitamin D production ahahahah and the contemplation of the surrounding nature.

A little more privacy is just half a dozen steps away, some exoticism perhaps ... memories of times past and other places.

Golf lovers have not been forgotten either! In fact, already in 1936 the hotel had 8 holes for the practice of this sport, currently are 18, spread over a golf course of unique beauty.

The hotel also offers bicycles for those who want to pedal through the 40 hectares of gardens and parks that surround this entire place.

The Noble Hall, that is currently the main hotel restaurant and whose name could not have been better chosen... Noble, is for one to be dazzled. Of course, once again, the materials, the decoration, the elegance, the game of lights, all are amazing.

It is undoubtedly one of the hotel's main divisions and has played host to the best and most luxurious European parties and balls!

The lounge is situated on the entrance floor, but inside there is a sort of mezzanine-style balcony around it overlooking the beautiful lounge. What would these parties have been like? It makes us dream, doesn't it?

Breakfast is served in a kind of winter garden room. The floor is made of marble, with black and white plaid designs, and the whole room has immense light, that floods the place through a delicately crafted wrought-iron glazed structure!
Plants adorn this environment making it more welcoming and elegant.

As in the Noble Room, this room also has a mezzanine corridor, also beautifully decorated with views not only to the interior of the room, but also to the gardens.

Of course there is nothing missing in breakfast choices, from an excellent variety of fruits, cheeses, pancakes, nuts, sweets, a little for all tastes.

The hotel has been winning some awards over the years, which set it apart on several levels .... some of which include:

Best Luxury Hotels in Portugal
Best Portugal Hotels
Portugal Best Golf Hotel
Best International Spa 2016
Most Prestigious Weeding Venue 2014-2015
Count Nast Johansens 2014
World Luxury Spa 2014
Seven Star Luxury 2013
Traveler's Choice 2012-2014 ... among others!

Interestingly, when we hear so much good things about something, it leads us to set very high expectations, and this often leads to disappointment. This did not happen here, quite the contrary, we fell in love with this place, which really exceeded our expectations!

Walking around the hotel gardens it's magical, we are talking about a centennial garden (open to the general public), full of big old trees and a rich flora including camellias, magnolias and water lilies, flowers and reflecting ponds everywhere. Listening to the birds singing, the croaking of frogs, all of it gives us an immense sense of inner peace...

Like with everything that's good... time flies! It was an experience of those that will forever stay in our hearts and it is with immense gratitude that we say goodbye to Vidago Palace.
Not driving this beautiful and charming car, but our own little city car eheheheh. The journey is not that long, but still.... about 136/140 km from the city of Porto.

Vidago, here's our goodbye, in hopes to return very soon!

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