Ventozelo Hotel: Staying in the Douro

During my recent trip to Portugal, we stayed in the Douro region for three nights at the Quinta de Ventozelo, located in Ervedosa do Douro, on the left bank of the Douro River. The property includes various hotel rooms (in different buildings), a winery, vineyards, a museum, garden, wine shop, restaurant and more.  It was a very pleasant experience and I'd stay there again if I ever return to the Douro. 

The vineyards of Quinta de Ventozelo were once managed by Cistercian monks, and the first historical mention of Ventozelo is from 1288. Around 1500, the land was transferred to the hidalgos of Casa do Poço. Over the centuries, ownership has changed multiple times, and in 2014, it was acquired by the Gran Cruz group, which is now known as Granvinhos. 

The hotel has 29 rooms, located in several different buildings, and we stayed in the Casa dos Cardanhos, in a building which was once housed temporary farmworkers, but which now has seven double superior rooms. Each room has a private porch, that looks over the Douro River. The rooms were comfortable and clean, and the only caveat would be that to reach the reception and the restaurant, you need to walk up a cobblestone hill, so if you have difficulty in walking, that might be an issue.   

This is a view from a distance of the building where we stayed. We were in the room at the end of the left side. 

Gorgeous views of the Douro and some of the Ventozelo vineyards. It was cloudy or raining much of the time we were there. 

The Garden of Aromas. A small garden with various plants and trees, all with their own aromatic profiles. It's located across from the Reception building. 

This is a front view of the restaurant.

At one end of the restaurant patio is this fire pit, which was lit every night. 

A couple cats that wandered the property. During breakfast, both cats walked around the patio, hoping some of the diners might give them some food. And the cats were successful in receiving some treats.

The Centro Interpretativo de Ventozelo is a small museum, located next to the garden, which discusses the estate and the Douro region.