6 days ago
An Insider's Guide To The Rebello Hotel & Spa
Bello Rooftop The Rebello
H oused in a cluster of 19th-century stone warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia —birthplace of Porto's storied 300-year-old Port wine legacy— The Rebello is the city's stylish new arrival; reimagined into a design-led riverside retreat that fuses industrial heritage with contemporary elegance. Inside, it's all marbled globe lanterns, exposed brass piping, and liquorice-slicked floors—as chic Europeans lounge over chessboards and sip velvety cappuccinos. So whether you're lounging in lofty terrace suites, clinking cocktails on the rooftop, or detoxing at its Roman-inspired sanctuary spa—it provides the perfect pillow-stop for exploring Portugal's soulful second city. The best bit? With Little Rebels Kids Club —featuring a multilingual nanny service—this riverside haven is as family-friendly as it is fashion-forward .
Porto getty
Nestled along Porto's glimmering southern bank, The Rebello gazes across the Douro as glass-boxed river ships and former wine cargo Rabelo boats glide by; jostling for attention. Positioning you in the heart of the city—world-famous for its baroque churches, steep terracotta rooftops, and storybook UNESCO-listed city center—step out into the golden hour for a sunset stroll along a tangle of narrow streets. You'll pass open-air pizzerias, artisan pop-up markets, and quirky boutiques like the famed sardine emporium, before climbing toward the soaring arches of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge . Here, locals spread picnic blankets and uncork bottles of Verde on the grounds of the glowing Monastery of Serra do Pilar , as rickety trams whiz by—offering some of the finest vistas of twinkling Porto. Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn
Two Bedroom Suite The Rebello
Boasting just 103 apartment-style suites, ideal for longer, laid-back stays, The Rebello's lofty Two Bedroom Suites are a masterclass in industrial-chic serenity. Spilling across nearly 1,500 square feet, they're light-filled and ultra-soothing—awash with soaring warehouse windows, warm oak accents, and polished concrete floors. Step inside and you'll uncover a spacious lounge-kitchenette, complete with a fully stocked SMEG fridge, Sjöstrand coffee machine, and a welcome basket brimming with local treats—think sardine pâté and a little bottle of tawny Port. Two sleek bathrooms feature walk-in rainfall showers and Claus Porto bath products, while the two king-sized bedrooms offer cloud-like mattresses and blackout blinds for deep, uninterrupted slumber. Outside, a sweeping private terrace beckons—where you can stretch out on stylish olive loungers, framing a cinematic slice of Porto's riverside promenade—perfect for sunrise morning espressos or golden-hour cocktails (double rooms from $235 per night).
Pot&Pan The Rebello
At sunset, ascend up to The Rebello 's panoramic rooftop bar, a breezy perch dressed with candy-striped parasols and comfy sofas—gazing out over Porto's climbing cable cars—as you pick at Portuguese olives and sip sweet 'Ocean Whisper' cocktails (a refreshing combo of vodka, cucumber, and sea lettuce). Up here, the Bello Rooftop Restaurant serves small petiscos-style plates like cider-drenched mussels, beef tartare, and salmon crudo, alongside giant prawn and squid skewers, and flame-grilled 'Surf and Turf' steaks. Forbes 3 Epic Hotels In The Netherlands For 2025 By Lewis Nunn
Or, saunter down to Pot&Pan —housed in the building's former pot and pan factory—where Chef André Coutinho crafts exquisite Portuguese dishes that are both nostalgic and elevated. Graze on smoked mussels, salt-cured cod, and crispy suckling pig, before diving into a trio of desserts: Romeo and Juliet cake, rose panna cotta, and the house-favorite Drunken Pear . Each dish is paired with exceptional Douro Valley wines—from Rebello's own red wine to Vallado Reserva and Quinta do Cidrô Chardonnay . Spa and Wellness
Spa at The Rebello The Rebello
Swirl down to the hotel's ancient Roman-style spa—a serene sanctuary carved from the bones of a former cookware factory. At its heart lies a cauldron-style swimming pool, softly lit by floating lanterns and flanked by royal loungers that invite hours of languid repose. Or, make use of its bubbling jacuzzi, cedar-scented sauna, and high-tech gym. The spa's four treatment rooms draw on Chinese, Japanese, and Indian wellness traditions—offering everything from aromatherapy and lymphatic drainage to shiatsu, reflexology, and anti-aging facials using organic Portuguese products. Signature rituals include a jet-lag recovery massage and a two-hour Rebello Ritual— comprising a full body exfoliation, massage, and facial ($200 per person). After your treatment, recline in the Tranquility Water Lounge , where sun-and-moon-mimicking lamps cast a golden glow over Roman pottery and peach-toned walls (treatments from $95 for 30 minutes). How To Get There
US travelers can hop on a 7-hour direct flight from New York to Porto with Tap Air Portugal or United Airlines. Meanwhile, London is just a breezy mere 150-minute flight away, with multiple daily departures from Gatwick, Heathrow, and Stansted. Once you land in Porto, it's a quick 25-minute cab ride to The Rebello . For more information or to book your stay, visit Read More: Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn Forbes 3 Epic Hotels In The Netherlands For 2025 By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To Calcot & Spa: The Cotswolds By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn Forbes An Insider's Guide To Another Place: The Lake District By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bakewell By Lewis Nunn
