Near Porto, This New Five-Star Hotel Draws Inspiration From the High Seas (2024)

The Rebello, a new five-star hotel in Villa Nova de Gaia, near Porto, sits right on the bank of the Duero River. Spread out across four 19th-century industrial buildings, the hotel is the third project from Bomporto Hotels in Portugal. In total, it counts 103 apartment-style suites, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, a kid’s club, two meeting rooms, a spa, a gym, and a boutique. Everything you could want is right here. Made to embrace every need of contemporary travel, it’s the perfect space for anyone looking to explore the hidden corners of this Portuguese city. Upon arriving, it soon becomes clear that the property also looks to introduce travelers to the country's lifestyle, combining the pleasure of traversing Europe with a suitcase in hand, ready to enjoy a bit of true rest and relaxation. Idleness is, after all, a fundamental pillar of the (contemporary) concept of vacation.

Eclectic in style, creative in its spaces, The Rebello impeccably captures the creative vein of Porto and its surroundings. Remaining open, then, to the community that lives there, it reflects the spirit of a cosmopolitan destination. “It’s unique in the way it combines a relaxed atmosphere, an exceptional location, straightforward service and attractive common areas," says Nicolas Roucos, CEO of the Bomporto Hotels Group. Customized spa treatments and signature co*cktails are just two of the amenities that frame the experience of living at the hotel between the river and the town's streets. When the renovation began, however, the hotel looked like a blank canvas ready to be colored. Throughout all the spaces and rooms, Spanish designer Daniela Franceschini imagined the identity of the project by drawing inspiration from the industrial space that framed its future rooms. Here, the founder of Quiet Studios transformed areas that were once a home to productivity into a colorful puzzle, where arts and crafts engage in a dialogue that speaks of unabashed creativity.

"There's a nautical feel to the colours, materials and textures. That also comes through in the lighting, which is suggestive of floating and sailboats, and in the lamps with chains, the wooden shelves by Tomaz Viana, the ceramic nets by Fig Studio and the undulating mirrors that evoke the movement of the sea," explains the designer. One example of this can be found in the reception area, which welcomes guests amidst a backdrop of furnishings made from repurposed materials and vintage accessories that create a pleasant contrast with the contemporary style punctuating spaces. The rooms are divided into eleven different types and range from 37 to 195 square meters. The smaller suites have been renamed Studios; the larger ones, Three Bedroom Duplexes. Most are decorated with artwork from Pedro Guimarães, while objects are designed by Grau Cerâmica and handmade textiles are sourced from Serra da Estrela at the Burel Factory. Even in the rooms, there are echoes of a design inspired by the high seas, referencing vessels ready to sail from one part of the world to another. The sinks, for example, are reminiscent of old ships' water tanks, and the beds look like sculptural furnishings bathed — for years — by the waters of the Duero.

But the Rebello is also about indulging in a bit of personal pampering. The spa boasts a heated pool, a sauna, a fitness center and four rooms dedicated to special treatments (including customized ones). Here, wellness is incorporated into the vision of an urban spa inspired by cures from around the world, whether China, Japan or India. Rounding out the relaxation services is the hotel's restaurant, Pot&Pan. Here, guests are provided with a menu based on the traditional cuisine, "with modern touches and the best seasonal products," adds chef André Coutinho. Dark walls and overflowing plants surround the tables, creating a homey atmosphere.

www.therebello.com

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