Checking Into The Yeatman Hotel, Porto's Premiere Hotel

Produced in Collaboration with WOW, The New Cultural District

Words & Photography by Alison Engstrom

Perched high on a hill, rising above WOW, Porto’s newest cultural destination is The Yeatman, a distinguished stay in the heart of Vila Nova de Gaia. Enveloped by three and a half acres of lush garden, this luxury hotel is centered around sustainability and is especially a place for wine lovers. As you wander through the hotel’s spacious corridors, guests will be greeted with an array of art, antiques, and small showcases, like an exhibit on a cork tree’s growth cycle (for more on cork, visit Planet Cork at WOW), or a gallery that is an ode to the Barcelos cockerel, which was commissioned by The Yeatman and created by nearby design school students.

Above The vibrant interiors of a superior deluxe room; Below The grand staircase rises through the center of the hotel and is surrounded by potted orchids and a towering statue.

Left The bright atrium near the lobby; Right Two urns frame the stairway that leads down to WOW.

There are three dining experiences on the premises including Dick’s Bar & Bistro, where you can enjoy views over Porto and a meal including fish, salads, or sample Porto’s signature sandwich, the Francesinha, which is a glutinous sandwich inspired by a Croque Monsieur. Head to The Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant, which has garnered two Michelin stars, and sample their seasonal tasting menu helmed by Chef Ricardo Costa. Since The Yeatman is named after the Yeatman family, an early pioneer in the port business when they began in 1838, guests and visitors alike can partake in master classes and wine tastings and sample one of the most comprehensive collections of Portuguese wine—the current roster is 25,000 wine bottles.

Left The decanter shaped pool gives way to breathtaking views of Porto; Right Pool lounge chairs waiting to be enjoyed.

Many rooms and suites boast cascading vistas over the terracotta roofs of former port warehouses and onto Porto, situated across the Douro River. Each room is unique and coined after one of the hotel’s 109 Portuguese wine producers and outfitted with an array of themed antiques including hanging art and objects. You’ll also find each stocked with Caudalie products, which are just an inkling of what you could experience by booking a treatment at the on-site Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa.