The Vibe: An unlikely pairing of an 18th-century palace and neighbouring flour mill creates one of Porto’s most luxurious accommodation options. Due to its offbeat location, the hotel is designed for quiet, on-site lingering.

The Area: Upstream directly on the river Douro. Porto’s city centre (3km) can be reached by the free hotel shuttle.

The DNA: A national monument, Pestana Palácio do Freixo was built in the mid 18th-century and is a remarkable example of Portuguese architecture from the baroque period. The hotel’s Versailles-style gardens are bordering directly on the Douro River. The contemporary and spacious rooms and suites are located in the former Harmonia Flour Factory, which is interconnected with the palace.

Suite-Me-Up: The spacious Suite Nicolau Nasoni, named after the architect of the palace, offers a separate living and bedroom area, plus a balcony with excellent sun exposure and large relaxation area, overlooking the Douro river,

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 87 rooms, including 12 suites (24-139m2) (258-1,496 sq ft)• hotel opened: October 2009 • architecture: David Sinclair • interior design: James Mitchell ✅ free on-site parking • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible