Overall atmosphere
Six Senses Douro Valley is a gem, so elegant and conscious-living without getting mad into hardcore wellness. My entire stay felt very luxurious without becoming too bling bling. The best part is the staff, everyone is very friendly and passionate about what they do. It truly feels like a home, with a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
There are two very friendly dogs (Aqua and Foxy) living at the property, which gives it even more of a cosy feel. It might be a no-go for many people, but to me, they were such an added value. They brought so many laughs and smiles, that everyone was looking forward to seeing them again. They couldn’t come everywhere, but they were allowed to come to The Wine Library (casual restaurant).
The property
The Six Senses Douro Valley was once a family home surrounded by vineyards; now it is a wellness hotel surrounded by vineyards. I could sense the hotel's history, especially in the restaurant and outside area. It's truly magical. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and modern. Because a good sleep is a core concept of the Six Senses philosophy, there are numerous pillow and mattress options. I appreciated how serious they are about this, and you can tell because the beds are extremely comfortable!
The bathroom is open, which I don't necessarily prefer, but there was plenty of space, so it was fine. I liked the amenities and healthy options in the mini bar (nuts, organic grissini, organic orange juice, kombucha etc.). The entire hotel is very modern and I could communicate or turn off lights using the Six Senses app. The room also has an iPad control. Personally, I enjoyed the excellent Bluetooth speaker.
Activities
Every day, there were approximately six different activities scheduled. The majority of them are included in the stay; only a few are available for a fee throughout the week. I liked how they were all different and not just about sports.
Many workshops are hosted by team specialists, which is truly amazing. We get to speak with enthusiastic staff members, which is very interactive and enriching. Guests can learn how to make their own flatbread, tonic, yoghurt, and other foods (like the delicious ones in the restaurant).
The Alchemy Bar, a core concept of the Six Senses brand, was a standout activity. Cristiana, who is very inspiring, helped us create a relaxing balm and roll-on. Like all the other workshops, it’s very well organised, the staff is very attentive and passionate about what they do, and everything is personalised. You can read more about Cristiana and The Alchemy Bar here.
Food
The food was delicious and flavourful. We had the opportunity to meet the chef, who makes every effort to use locally sourced, organic, and non-GMO ingredients. Everything is made from scratch, and the menus change on a regular basis depending on their available resources. The hotel grows a variety of herbs, vegetables, and fruits. They maintain their own organic garden (that we can visit). They also make their own honey.
I'm a vegetarian, almost vegan, so my options were limited compared to meat and fish eaters. Portugal is a country that consumes a lot of fish and meat. Vegan options are limited, but vegetarians have plenty of choice. The breakfast was my favorite meal. It was incredible, with so many healthy options. At the buffet, there was delicious home-made gluten-free bread, coconut yoghurt, rice-hazelnut milk, etc. I could choose other dishes on the breakfast menu too. Some changed each day.
Wellness
Conscious living is all the way present, I loved that! Organic tea station, kombucha and detox juices available on self-service, healthy mini bar, organic and local cosmetics, etc. it’s really all about the lifestyle. It’s about nature, living in a healthy way and being respectful — all of this in a luxurious setting.
When talking about wellness, I need to write a few words about Javier, the Spa Director, who is such a big personality! He is a wellness passionate and could talk for hours about how important it is to take care of ourselves. He is especially responsible for the biohacking corner of the hotel. Talking to him is true therapy, I truly believe that it could change the life of many people. If you’re going at Six Senses Douro Valley, you’ll probably meet him and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
All the hotel programmes start with a wellness screening, which enables the team to give you recommendations and customise your meals, activities and other aspects of your stay. In total, 45 biomarkers were examined. It makes it very clear which aspects of your physical and mental health require assistance, as well as how they are related. I think it gives the visit a lot of value and adds a lot of depth and insight.
Sustainability
I could really feel the brand's conscious values while I was staying at Six Senses Douro Valley. Every single member of staff brought it up during conversation. It's the first time I've stayed in a hotel that cares so much about the environment. Every department of the hotel, from the spa to the kitchen, is constantly looking to reduce its impact on the environment, while also trying to educate their guests on the topic.
The inspiring Earth Lab, for example, is where we can learn about how we can behave more sustainably. For instance, during one of my workshops, we discovered how to create candles out of discarded cooking oil! I guarantee it doesn't smell like French fries! To come up with innovative ways to recycle items that the kitchen can no longer utilize, the team is always experimenting. The Earth Lab is, to me, one of the reasons to choose Six Senses over other brands. It's also easy tell the staff at Six Senses Douro Valley genuinely cares; this goes beyond just the group management.
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