Inspired by Porto’s illustrious port wine legacy, The Yeatman Hotel pays homage to winemaking through its architecture, reminiscent of a majestic wine cellar. Its terraced design provides sweeping vistas of the city and the Douro River. Seamlessly fusing sophistication with comfort, the hotel’s rooms and suites reflect the diverse landscapes of Portugal’s renowned wine regions.
Exuding timeless elegance, The Yeatman is characterized by its attention to authentic details and discreet yet attentive service delivered by a knowledgeable and welcoming team. This unique blend of individuality and effortless hospitality has established The Yeatman as a distinctive landmark within the realm of classic luxury hotels.
As summer reaches its peak, some places are still basking in endless sunshine. Porto, one of Europe’s coolest cities right now, is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
Often overshadowed by cosmopolitan Lisbon and the beachy, package holiday vibe of the Algarve, Northern Portugal has long been an afterthought for discerning travelers. However, the recent boom in Portuguese wine and the opening of luxury hotels along the Douro Valley have drawn luxury-seeking, wine-loving adventurers to flock to Porto.
Wine aficionados have long held Porto in high esteem for its pivotal role in the creation of Port wine. Historically, as Portugal’s second-largest city, it played a crucial role as a transportation center for the wine trade. Winemakers produced the wine in the Douro Valley and then shipped it to Vila Nova de Gaia, just across from Porto, where it matured in barrels before being exported. The city has been home to British wine shippers for over three centuries. Inspired by this heritage, The Yeatman blends the finest Portuguese traditions of hospitality with a uniquely British flair for understated and stylish comfort.
Overlooking the pastel-colored buildings of this beautiful destination, The Yeatman, a Relais & Châteaux property, boasts 109 rooms, including 20 suites. Since its opening in 2010, it has quickly gained popularity for its wine-inspired accommodations that pay homage to the city’s history. Built into a hillside, nearly every room offers guests spectacular views of the city and the Douro River, with most rooms featuring private terraces.
Onsite, you’ll discover a decanter-shaped pool, Portuguese wine partners linked to each room, and an impressive wine cellar housing over 30,000 bottles. Additionally, a charming wine spa, renovated in May 2023, provides vinotherapy-based treatments and features amenities such as Roman baths, various saunas, and a halo therapy wall.
One of the most striking features of The Yeatman is its elegant interiors, reminiscent of classic period country houses in England. Tall archways, sculpted ceilings, and white sculpted columns, along with centrally placed fireplaces and Chesterfield sofas, contribute to the Victorian feel. It’s no surprise, then, that the hotel is owned by an English port family, one of the many that settled in Porto during the 1800s to found the cellars that now produce the renowned Port wine of the region.
The lifts pay tribute to the Douro with images covering all sides, offering a 360-degree panorama. Another elevator takes younger visitors to the bespoke Kid’s Club, giving the impression of being lifted in a hot-air balloon. There is great humor in this hotel that could have been so dry, worthy, academic, and remote, the preserve of the “old school.” The Yeatman will be appreciated by all those with a taste for the finer things in life, but it has wide appeal. Older folks will enjoy the traditional luxury, couples can indulge in some pampering, and families can take advantage of the unbeatable location. It’s truly a hotel for all seasons.
THE ROOMS
As you step inside your room, a realm of grace and sophistication unfurls before you. The suite, a sanctuary of peace, is adorned with exquisite décor and delicate tributes to the craftsmanship of winemaking, including photographs, literature, and intriguing knick-knacks. The space beckons you to relax and revel in the tranquility that imbues every nook and cranny.
Rooms are a sharp mix of classic English and Portuguese styles: most have wooden floors and classic English furniture, with vibrant, colorful walls and individually curated bookcases in some. The balconies, a major plus in all rooms, offer lovely views of the river and Porto. Bathrooms have a more Portuguese flavor, with turmeric yellow walls and traditional Portuguese ceramic tiling in some showers. There are added touches of luxury, including marble sink tops in all rooms, and a separate bath and shower in higher-category rooms.
Named after the Roman god of wine, the Bacchus Suite is the jewel in The Yeatman’s crown, with its spacious, open-plan design providing one of the most exclusive and private accommodations in the hotel. Boasting approximately 150 m² in total, and with a high vaulted wooden ceiling, the Bacchus Suite extends onto a furnished conservatory with a fireplace and a private exterior terrace from which to marvel at the splendid panoramic views of Porto and the Douro River.
The Presidential Suite provides an exclusive experience of comfort and luxury. With breathtaking views, this two-bedroom suite is designed to offer an unforgettable stay. From the Port wine barrel-shaped bed to every single detail, it reflects the pure essence of the city’s heritage and culture.
DINING EXPERIENCE
A true epicurean paradise, The Yeatman Hotel boasts an exceptional dining experience that tantalizes all the senses.
In the classic comfort of The Yeatman restaurant, guests experience inspired cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local produce and the imaginative pairing of food and wine. The Gastronomic Restaurant at The Yeatman holds two Michelin Stars, awarded in November 2016.
Everyone knows that the city of Porto has a timeless, almost magical charm, but not everyone is aware that one of the best places to experience this is on the opposite side of the River Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia. Here, chef Ricardo Costa conjures his creative cuisine on a single tasting menu that starts with drinks and appetizers in the bar and kitchen. His menu is based on two key pillars: traditional Portuguese cuisine (with a nod to the chef’s hometown of Aveiro) and premium seasonal ingredients, always treated with the greatest delicacy. The restaurant also features several panoramic dining spaces: the main dining room with its large picture windows and, above all, the spectacular terrace overlooking the most beautiful parts of the city. The wine cellar is one of the best in Portugal.
Ricardo presents dishes that are undeniably exceptional, yet he remains true to the heart of Portuguese cuisine, tantalizing diners with the flavors of classic ingredients expertly prepared and presented with delightful flair. His culinary creations captivate and intrigue before soothing and delighting the diner. This is masterful cooking that, while inventive, always honors its roots. It’s cuisine that manages to be both sophisticated and playful, but above all, it delivers on taste.
Named in honor of the renowned port wine maker and ambassador, Dick Yeatman, Dick’s Bar and Bistro radiates an ambiance of sophisticated charm and warm camaraderie. The bistro presents a delightful selection of appetizers, featuring dishes like soft shell crab mantou, ceviche, and chocolate banana pie.
Weekly wine dinners are held at The Yeatman Restaurant every Thursday, often with the wine producers themselves in attendance. The theme is either a specific wine region or a wine variety. This offers a unique opportunity to learn more about Portuguese wines while enjoying Michelin award-winning cuisine.
WELLNESS & FITNESS
The Yeatman Wine Spa provides the perfect blend of wellness and an extraordinary vinotherapy experience for all its guests at this urban sanctuary.
Within the 2,000m² spa, guests can enjoy ten naturally lit treatment rooms and private changing areas, as well as the relaxation room – with its stunning views. There are also barrel bath immersions and relaxing massages among other exclusive body and facial treatments. Spa guests also have full use of the indoor panoramic swimming pool and gym.
The spa is in harmony with The Yeatman’s vocation as one of the world’s leading wine hotels, where the culture and pleasures of wine can be enjoyed in all their aspects. Based on natural ingredients, the extensive skincare range used in the treatments contains antioxidant properties that contribute to beauty, wellness, and vitality.
The Yeatman Wine Spa works with four main skincare brands, whose products, treatment protocols, and concepts are implemented in the spa: Natura Bissé, Vinoble Cosmetics, Ilā, and Gentlemen’s Tonic.
SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
Many features were incorporated into the design and operation of The Yeatman to help reduce its impact on the environment and its carbon footprint. Prior to the construction of The Yeatman, there was no demolition on site as the land was not in use and there were no pre-existing buildings. The hotel was designed and built to blend with its environment, using local materials (such as granite) and an architectural style that allows it to merge unobtrusively with the historic area and hillside landscape of the Port wine lodges.
Three and a half acres of gardens were created, providing a refuge for migratory birds, as well as 6,500 types of herbaceous plants, 6,100 types of shrubs, and 22 different types of trees. These plants were chosen for their historic and sustainable value, including a 1,400-year-old olive tree, a symbol of millennial renewal.
Rain harvesting and water wells on the land supply water for sanitary use and garden irrigation, thus saving on local water resources. This represents a saving or re-usage of 210,000m³ of water in the last 10 years of their existence.
DO NOT MISS…
With its proximity to WOW and Porto, there is plenty to explore. In fact, it’s just a quick 15-minute drive to some of Porto’s most famous sites, including Livraria Lello, Porto São Bento, and Clerigos Church and Tower. However, the hotel also hosts eight permanent exhibitions that delve into the city and its wine-making history, providing ample opportunities for guests to immerse themselves in local culture and heritage.
