2THC
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We were booked into the Folgosa Hotel (***) but upgraded at the last minute to their ***** sister hotel QUINTA SÃO JOSÉ DO BARRILÁRIO ||This is a very new hotel completed in August 2024. A modern and stylish 31-room hotel set high over the river. On 3 levels; lowest level for restaurant and spa, middle level for bar and rooms, the upper level for reception and rooms. The Douro and valley views from all areas are stunning.||The hotel was easy to locate, after Folgosa it's a lefthand turn off the main road, a right turning shortly after this ( small sign with hotel name which can be missed but I think I'm right in saying it's the first turning right) and a really clear entrance to the hotel up the hill on your righthand side. Parking was easy and we received a lovely reception including a welcoming drink of the house port. We were escorted around the levels and shown what's what) before being shown to the room. ||Our standard double was a good sized bright modern room with a balcony and chairs and yes, views that take your breath away. A really big comfortable king sized bed and selection of pillows that kept us both happy. It’s not often a bed suits the both of us but this in was great. Of course, the complimentary biscuits , fruit and port were very appreciated, as was the generous supply of bottled water! (Neither of us were fans of the bathroom arrangement but this was a minor detail, certainly not a deal-breaker).||I would like to make to mention of the housekeeping - the attention to detail was superb. The duvet was so smoothed over and neat it looked like it had been ironed on. Our untidiness was addressed and it was a pleasure to return to the room!||We joined in the daily free wine tasting in the bar at 5pm on our first day and this proved to be a most enjoyable activity for a couple of hours. It is a 'must'! ||Dinner in the hotel restaurant on the first night was a marvellous experience. Exceptional food quality, beautiful presentation and fantastic service. Unflawed!||Breakfast was equally superb and the panoramic views from dining room unparalleled. The cold buffet had a wide range of breads, cakes, muffins, cereals, nuts, seeds, fruits, cheeses, yoghurts, juices, tea, coffee fruits, cold meats, smoked salmon etc etc. There was a hot buffet with eggs, bacon sausages, and mushrooms etc., which we had missed completely. Also on offer and cooked to order were omelettes, eggs Benedict with salmon or bacon, crepes and other items on the menu. The breakfast was truly great, certainly one of the best we've had! ||Having had a large lunch on our full day tour of the wineries we opted for bar snacks instead of dinner on our second and final night. We enjoyed a sharing platter of cheeses and preserves (and a few crackers) which was perhaps more suitable for 4 persons. (Personally I would have preferred less cheese and the addition of a small bread basket).||The exceptional element of our stay was undoubtedly the staff; all were professional, warm, friendly, efficient and helpful. They are the hotel’s biggest asset,. Well done to the great team of staff that you are up there at Quinta São José do Barrilário! We will definitely return.||(Any doubters out there, this review was unsolicited and honest. I was not paid or rewarded for it, I was quite simply moved to do it!
