Octant Hotels Douro

I recently stayed at Octant Douro and it was an unforgettable experience. The setting is incredibly serene, with beautiful grounds that make it easy to relax and unwind. What truly stood out, though, was the staff — I have never encountered a team so genuinely committed to going above and beyond for their guests. Every interaction felt warm, thoughtful, and personal. The food and beverage program was outstanding, offering both quality and creativity at a very reasonable price point. Dining here was a highlight of the stay. The spa amenities were also exceptional — truly some of the best I’ve experienced, and the perfect complement to the peaceful atmosphere of the property. Everything about Octant Douro struck the perfect balance of luxury, comfort, and value. I would not hesitate to return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable getaway in Portugal.

I really enjoyed my stay at Octant Douro. The design and atmosphere are beautiful, and the rooms feel calm and comfortable. I especially loved the river view with perspective, it made the space feel open and connected to nature. Breakfast in the room was a highlight, such a peaceful start to the day. The food was very good, though for a longer stay the menu feels a bit limited. Overall, a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy both nature and comfort.

We had a great time here recently. The location is stunning and they've made great use of their hillside spot right along the river. The architecture is thoughtful and does a good job of making the spaces interesting. Service is also very good. Front desk and valet staff are well-intentioned, proactive and friendly. All the restaurant staff we interacted with were excellent! They were also proactive, very present despite the volume and took the time to explain drinks and food. I gave the room 4 stars because of a few shortcomings. Some of the furnishings in the room (and public spaces) were stained and scuffed. The shower stall in our room was tiny. The grass was loudly being mowed at 730am immediately outside our room. The lower and upper pools both have stunning views. Ironically, the smaller, lower pool, which does not allow children, was the favored spot for families with young children and babies during our stay. The upper pool, which is much bigger and deeper, was serene and peaceful. Food at A Terra for lunch/dinner was decent, but not memorable (as opposed to Sirga Wine & Bistro across the river!). Eating on the outdoor terrace, however, was such a delight.

I had the pleasure of staying at Octant Douro with a friend, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The gastronomy was exceptional — every meal was crafted with care, flavour, and creativity. The room was spotless, incredibly comfortable, and beautifully maintained. But what truly stood out was the service: every staff member was kind, professional, and genuinely welcoming. It was, without a doubt, the best service I’ve experienced in a hotel in Portugal. Everything about our stay was perfect from start to finish. I wholeheartedly recommend Octant Douro and can’t wait to return.

We booked the Suite Panoramic for 5 nights and it did not disappoint! You will want to live in it! It is the very best view in the entire hotel. No pool or restaurant can exceed it though those views are also lovely. It also sits very close to the Adult Pool. Skip the unit with the pool and book this suite and enjoy the pool next door or your own large terrace. The staff is incredible. Super thoughtful, engaging, warm and knowledgeable. The concierge was incredibly helpful arranging many things in advance so we could dimply enjoy snd relax while we are here. The food and wine so lovely and they can easily accommodate plant-based eaters with tasty foods. Biodynamic wines also available and delicious. A very special place we are grateful to have visited. Highly Highly recommend!!

My stay at this 5-star hotel was overall very good, but the hotel itself lacked the character and attention to detail I would expect from a property of this level. There was no iron in the room, and the tea selection was very limited. In fact, there wasn’t even black tea provided which feels inconsiderate, as for many people tea is part of their culture, and not offering it shows a lack of inclusivity for guests from different backgrounds. Housekeeping also needs better follow-up and attention to detail for example, the hand wash and shampoo were empty, and I had to call to have them refilled. Small things like this made it feel less than a true 5-star experience. On the positive side, the food was excellent and the location is great.

Mixed feelings about this hotel:||Good: fabulous setting, architecture is incredible and all rooms all specified to the highest standards. The new “houses” have top end equipment. Better than many 5-star hotels. Service is good in that the people are nice and want you to be happy. The pool on the roof is lovely (except smoke see below)||Not so good: ||service (although people are lovely) is incredibly slow in some cases. Three examples from within 24 hours of arriving: 1) turn down service was supposed to be at 7 pm but arrived at 930 pm when children in bed, 2) pancakes took >30 mins to arrive at breakfast, 3) room service which they schedule with you and we asked for 11 am arrived at 1:45 pm. (They sent apology fruit and cake to our room after breakfast delay)||Quality of food in a terre restaurant was also only ok. Expect more from a 5-star hotel at this price. Breakfast exceptional. But dinner options are less impressive and somewhat limited. (Did not try the Michelin restaurant)||Although everything is nicely finished there are teething problems in the newer “houses” - door handle fell off bathroom door. Toilet did not stop flushing. Steamer (provided in place of iron) did not work. We were literally first people staying so maybe they are fixed. ||They grill food by the outdoor pool but that means smoke billows over pool. ||They built 25 new “houses” which don’t have such good view of river. I am concerned more rooms means pools will get busy. ||All in all looks like 5 star hotel but not five star experience||Finally - little to do in immediate vicinity of hotel in terms of hikes etc. the boat price seems prohibitively expensive.

Hotel is like a 3-dimensional maze. Sometimes it's hard to get from point A to point B. Going to floors 5-9 requires outdoor stairs or a very slow furnicular elevator. Pool on the top level is great. Spa pool, steam room, and sauna are great, too. Hotel has two restaurants. One is very fancy. Food was good, but the service was a bit off and inattentive.