5 Best Hotels in Northern Portugal, Portugal

This cutting-edge resort in and around a 19th-century mansion just 8 km (5 miles) from Lamego has helped the region brush up its image as a fashionable destination. Contemporary architecture is offset by traditional decorative motifs in subdued creams, grays, and browns. Outside, wooden decking around the pool enables you to revel in the spectacular hillside setting. Inside, the huge spa has a heated pool, two saunas, steam and ice baths, and 10 treatment rooms. The 24-hour gym has updated equipment and a packed timetable of fitness classes. There are two villas, each with a private pool, and nine rooms in a separate house sharing another.

Neither Dom Carlos I nor the monarchy lived to see the 1910 inauguration of the grand hotel he commissioned on the site of the thermal springs at Vidago, but a top-to-toe refurbishment a century later made it once more fit for a king—and with a new spa wing designed by Pritzker laureate Álvaro Siza Vieira. Eye-popping original interiors have been lovingly restored, from the grand staircase to hand-painted wallpaper and stained-glass windows, while guest rooms have been redone in an updated classic style, in tasteful grays with splashes of red or burgundy. Some bathrooms have both stand-alone tubs and walk-in showers; all stock Molton Brown amenities. The hotel spa makes use of the iron-rich thermal waters—said to be effective in treating digestive and skin disorders—and guests may book up to two treatments without a medical appointment. There's a choice of four places to eat, with menus overseen by star chef Vitor Matos, and several bars, too.

This plush if somewhat plain resort hotel sits atop a hill, so that most guest rooms look out over the garden to the nearby sandy beach and Atlantic Ocean beyond. Dive into the heated saltwater pools, or opt for thalassotherapy and other treatments in the spa, which has a male and female sauna, laconium, steam bath, ice cabin, and "sensations" shower. Or take advantage of the mini-golf, tennis, bicycles, or nearby activities such as horseback riding. The O Jardim restaurant serves reliably good if unadventurous Portuguese fare, while in summer there's a café that serves light meals by the pool.

On a hilltop to the west of the city center, this modern pousada offers comfortable guest rooms, all with balconies and terrific views of the Citadel, as well as the chance to sample award-winning cuisine. Its restaurant, G Pousada, has won international fame for its versions of local dishes; there are several different tasting menus (from €95, with wine from €35), including a vegetarian one. As for the rest of the hotel, local touches include soft furnishings featuring burel, a traditional wool product. 

Taking full advantage of its location on a hill high above the Rio Ave, this modern lodging's rooms all face the river and most have their own balconies; the indoor pool and rooftop bar---both open until midnight---have similarly stunning views, too. The decor is sleek and modern, with navy and silver livery adding a touch of luxury. A wide range of massages and other treatments are available in the well-equipped spa (check the website for packages), and you can book outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, and diving. The Santa Clara restaurant (€19) offers a good selection of traditional dishes, including delicious desserts, and affords views of the eponymous convent across the river.