Step into The Rebello Hotel, where irreverence meets vibrancy, and cosmopolitan flair infuses every corner. From the moment you set foot in this dynamic establishment, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere that defies convention and embraces the unconventional. Irreverent in its approach to hospitality, The Rebello dares to challenge the status quo, offering guests an experience that transcends the ordinary.
Traditionally, hotels receive ratings based on criteria like service excellence, facility diversity, and amenity quality. However, there are often overlooked factors such as character and ambiance, which are equally crucial but defy quantification or enumeration. Consider The Rebello, a new five-star hotel nestled in the historic town of Vila Nova de Gaia, opposite Porto along the Douro River in Portugal. While it effortlessly fulfills all the criteria for luxurious amenities, what truly sets it apart is not its expansive rooms, bespoke spa treatments, or the signature cocktails offered at its rooftop bar. Rather, its distinguishing feature lies in its distinctive character, skillfully weaving the area’s industrial heritage into an artisanal narrative.
Assuming control of a cluster of 19th-century industrial structures lining the River Douro, meticulously refurbished by Lisbon’s Metro Urbe architects, the hotel honors its industrial legacy and the city’s port wine trade. Its moniker derives from the Portuguese term “rabelo,” denoting the petite wooden vessel historically employed for ferrying barrels of port wine. However, it ventures into inventive realms, drawing inspiration from the historical utilization of industrial settings by artists and craftsmen.
With 103-apartment-style suites, a restaurant, rooftop bar, lobby bar, kids’ club, two meeting rooms, a spa, gym, shop and coffee shop, The Rebello offers a set of amenities and experiences adapted to all those seeking a home from home, whether travelling for leisure or work. With its doors open to the local community and the outside world, it reflects the creative and cosmopolitan spirit of an increasingly vibrant Porto that continues to attract nomads, artists and entrepreneurs from all around the world. And here, meticulous attention is given to every detail, ensuring the satisfaction of each guest. Families will find comfort in the specially curated “Little Rebels” menu, while pet enthusiasts can rest assured knowing that their furry friends are warmly welcomed in the pet-friendly suites. With its central location, the hotel provides an ideal starting point for exploring the city’s picturesque streets and lively parks, catering to both children and pets alike.
THE VIBRANT PERSPECTIVE OF INTERIOR DESIGNER DANIELA FRANCESCHINI
At the helm of Quiet Studios, Spanish Daniela Franceschini brings a knack for infusing spaces with a clean, sophisticated aesthetic, seamlessly melding the traditional with the contemporary. Nestled in Lisbon, her childhood affinity for the tranquil ambiance of her grandfather Erik’s home serves as a guiding principle in all her endeavors. Franceschini’s projects are a masterful fusion of old-world charm and modern flair, incorporating eclectic elements that captivate the senses.
Taking cues from the historical occupation of industrial spaces by artists and creatives, Franceschini has curated The Rebello to inspire the creativity of all visitors, prompting moments of introspection. Leveraging a palette of diverse colours, textures, and materials, she collaborates with local Portuguese artists and craftsmen to craft bespoke artworks and furnishings, shaping The Rebello into a sanctuary for artistic expression and contemplation.
Amidst the eclectic blend of vintage and contemporary furnishings adorning The Rebello, the designer draws attention to four pivotal elements underpinning the entire creative endeavor: water, wine, wood, and industry. The ambiance is imbued with a maritime essence, evident in the choice of colours, materials, and textures, as well as in the lighting fixtures reminiscent of floating vessels and sailboats. From the lamps adorned with chains to the wooden shelves crafted by Tomaz Viana, and the ceramic nets by Fig Studio, every detail evokes the fluidity of the sea.
In the reception area, a striking nautical installation crafted from recycled materials sourced from rabelos—traditional Portuguese cargo boats—stands as a testament to collaboration between studio THER and a local artisan from Vila Nova de Gaia. Accentuating the space are ceramic pieces by Joana Passos, floral arrangements by Beatriz Faria Ribeiro (Menez), a lamp by Casa Josephine Studio, and tapestries by Edurne Camacho.
Within the apartments, interiors are adorned with artwork by Pedro Guimarães, ceramics by Grau Cerâmica, and artisanal blankets from the Burel Factory in Serra da Estrela. Custom-made pieces, inspired by maritime and industrial motifs, are peppered throughout, from sinks reminiscent of old water tanks to bed headboards elegantly mirroring the gentle ripples of the Douro River.
THE ROOMS
Designed carefully for the different needs of families, digital nomads and creatives, the 103 apartment-style suites are split into 11 different types ranging from 37 to 195 m2 in size. The smallest suites – at around 37 m2 – are the Studios; the largest – with 3 bedrooms and 195 m2 – are the Three Bedroom Duplex.
The tones in all of the spacious and light-filled apartments are soft and complement the walnut wood, steel, concrete, tiles, and other materials. Why? To provide serene environments that inspire both leisure and work. In addition to Claus Porto toiletries, guests are greeted with a minibar stocked with snacks and drinks, bowls, snacks, and blankets for their canine companions, a few surprises for kids, and a fully equipped kitchen promising to make family meals a much easier experience.
GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURES
The Rebello offers three spaces for dining and imbibing. On one hand, the main restaurant is named Pot&Pan (a nod to the building’s original use), following the age-old adage of ‘good dishes and good friends’. In this culinary paradise, food is shared in pots and pans, with delicacies ranging from traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist, crafted from high-quality seasonal produce. The lobby bar also offers a simple menu for nibbles throughout the day, as does the rooftop, where guests can indulge in a menu of food and beverages to suit all tastes.
BELLO ROOFTOP
The hotel’s buzzing but relaxed 4th-floor rooftop bar is one of the city’s best spots for cocktails on the river. A meeting place for family and friends, it has all the right ingredients for a memorable afternoon: good snacks, fresh cocktails and the city’s most photogenic sunset.
A SANCTUARY FOR RENEWAL AND RELAXATION
Inspired by Roman baths, the Wellness & SPA centre has a heated pool, sauna, fitness centre and 4 treatments rooms. From holistic and signature massages to facial and bodily rituals, the ethos behind this urban spa stems from the principles of traditional Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine to create specially tailored treatments. After every treatment, guests are invited to relax in the tranquility water lounge with lamps that mimic the phaes of the sun and moon. If you’re the kind of person who needs to burn calories to relax, the gym with its vintage items and high-tech equipment promises to reduce stress and raise your feel-good levels.
