Casa do Arco by Douro Exclusive

Such an intimate little get away in the middle of our Portugal trip. The Douro Valley is exquisite and this boutique hotel was perfect for the vibe we were looking for. With only three rooms, you can expect personal and exceptional service. We very much enjoyed our dinner including the olive oil from the hotel’s own olive trees to the M&A wine produced exclusively for the hotel. Breakfast each morning was perfect, including the homemade mother bread. I can honestly say this was one of the most comfortable beds I have slept in. You will not be disappointed if you choose this for your stay.

Have just enjoyed two nights at this fabulous boutique hotel which enjoys unparalleled views across the Douro Valley. Panoramic views are available from each of the three bedrooms, the restaurant and residents lounge. The rooms are well appointed and the hotel is managed by the very capable and attentive Tony, who together with the owner Marco cannot do enough for you. The food in the restaurant is high quality and the wine list showcases a number of local wines. Given the size of this hotel it’s essential to book early and it’s a must when visiting the Douro and the local wineries in Pinhão.

The location is spectacular, the people are amazing and that is before we even got through the door. Our visit began with Tony the house manager meeting us in the driveway. Tony is professional, caring and all-knowing when it come to things in the Douro Valley. Throughout your stay Tony will ensure every detail of your stay is perfect. After an hour or so you will be convinced that you are the only guest at the resort. The rooms are modern, clean and comfortable. We had a magnificent view of the valley that made us hesitant to leave the room. The living room is a common area on the first floor with great views and comfortable seating. We spent hours in here sampling wine, relaxing and meeting with a few other guests staying in the hotel. During the stay we got a chance to meet the owners Ana and Marco in the restaurant during breakfasts and dinner. Both are so knowledgeable and passionate about the valley, their place and ensuring their guests have a the best experience possible. Meals in the restuarant are some of the best we had anywhere on our trip. There is attention to every detail and the food is spectacular. We ate in the dining room for 2 of our 3 nights and wish we had stayed in the house for all three dinners. Should we return to the Douro Valley in the future this would be the only place we would even consider staying.

What an amazing, unique hotel this is. Located in the heart of the Douro Valley with most breath taking views. From our room we could see right across the valley to Pinhao. There are only 3 rooms which makes the place feel very exclusive. The small restaurant serves a basic but tasty breakfast. Due to the slight remote location we dined in both evenings which given the limited nature of the menu was maybe a mistake in hindsight. The pool area was nice but the actual pool look a little tired and not the most welcoming. The hotel interior is top quality though with a lovely ante room to have a drink pre / post dinner with those amazing views again!

#1 & only recommended stay in the Douro Valley (in my opinion)! Hopefully that got your attention because no further search on where to stay in the valley is needed. Mark my words, this will be one of the BEST and most memorable parts of your trip. Where do I even start? The casa itself is a MASTERPIECE, a true piece of art (the story of how it got built is also charming but you’ll have to book your stay to find out!). The rooms are all surrounded by ceiling high windows with the magnificent view of the valley. The staff is top notch and the most caring/welcoming we’ve ever encountered (and we have traveled a lot). The food is impeccable and simply the most delicious we had during our stay. An added bonus is that the owners of this casa also own a tour company called: The Douro Exclusive. This tour along with the casa is family owned/run which makes it that much more special. The family are natives to the surrounding areas of the valley and Portugal — the amount of history and knowledge they know about it all is extremely impressive. Even if you aren’t staying at the casa, book your tour with Douro Exclusive to have the most amazing, authentic and genuine day than any other tour could offer. Words and reviews are simply not enough for this stay and tour but we would like to end this note with gratitude and absolute love for our entire experience and stay. We truly felt so special and at home. This should 100% be considered a 5-star stay. If you are truly seeking that authentic and genuine experience — please do yourself a favor and pick CASA DO ARCO. You will not regret it!

First of all big thanks to Tony, Marco and Ana. Although the Casa itself is excellent, you 3 make it so much more :) Your hospitality and personal service made us feel like part of your family. Everything just works. Great room, awesome views, nice breakfast and delicious dinner with local wines. If your staying here, please also check their tours. We took the 1 day Douro tour and it was beautiful.