Longroiva Hotel and Thermal Spa
The ancient Romans were mad for their spas, and built thermal retreats all through Europe, invariably in wildly picturesque spots. We daresay they would have approved of Lisbon-based architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade’s work on their steamy outpost in the rocky hamlet of Mêda in north-east Portugal – an area that insiders prize for its varied scenic attractions, bijoux vineyards and incomparable tableau of ancient walled towns, walking trails and, of course, hot springs.
Nudged against the base of the old hillocked town, the 44-room Longroiva is a wonderful contrast of architectural moods, thanks largely to Rebelo de Andrade’s thoughtful masterplan.
The architect’s starting point was the existing three-storey, late-19th-century pile, which had been converted into a thermal spa around 15 years ago. Predictably, the spa had done a steady but unspectacular trade with local families and the blue-rinse set. Happily, the owners, born and bred in the region, saw the potential of a slicker, better designed operation.
To that end, Rebelo de Andrade Slight made gentle architectural interventions to the original building, converting the neo-classical interior with its original stone arches and rough hewn floors into public spaces on the ground floors, and 14 rooms including a suite upstairs.
An enclosed bridge, wrapped around with narrow vertical strips of stained timber and glass, is a seamless and literal link between past and present, leading from the renovated building to the capacious heated outdoor pool.
In turn, this leads to a slender strip of sleekly designed rooms and villas that is strung along further up the side of the hill. Their foundations anchored on an attractive geometric pattern of locally quarried stone and metal struts, these new rooms – stylized cottages, really, in their sleek silhouettes of peaked roofs and generous timber-clad patios feature façades that are swathed in stained timber and inset with traditional Portuguese square tiles whose bronze sheen turn a softly burnished gold at sunset.
The best rooms in the house look out over the native vegetation, vineyards, almond and olive groves, and the bucolic sweep of the Douro river. The interiors, too, are suitably austere, lit with Tom Dixon lamps, dressed in raw silk and handspun cotton sheets, and furnished with locally made furniture and pieces by Arper and Six Inch.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
The languorous quality of the spa, and its thermal water-based treatments and hot springs are a given; apparently, King João V’s personal doctor raved about the curative powers of the waters. But equally indulgent is executive chef Luis Caneiro’s deft touch with regional produce and affinity for Douro gastronomy – his roast goat with grilled potatoes, and grilled pork doused with Porto and apple purée are certified crowd-pleasers.
For restless guests, local distractions beckon in the form of the Douro National Park, the Quinta Vale d’Aldeia winery, and the mesmerizing prehistoric cave paintings of nearby Foz Coa Park.
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Lugar do Rossio, 6430-071
Longroiva
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
The moments fashion met art at the 60th Venice Biennale
The best fashion moments at the 2024 Venice Biennale, with happenings from Dior, Golden Goose, Balenciaga, Burberry and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Crispin at Studio Voltaire, in Clapham, is a feast for all the senses
New restaurant Crispin at Studio Voltaire is the latest opening from the brains behind Bistro Freddie and Bar Crispin, with interiors by Jermaine Gallagher
By Billie Brand Published
-
Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe goes up for sale in landmark Christie’s auction
The proceeds of ’Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection’, running this June, will go to the charitable causes she championed during her lifetime
By Jack Moss Published
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro Published
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble Last updated
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo Last updated
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
Casa Santa Teresa — Corsica, France
By Daven Wu Last updated
-
K5 — Tokyo, Japan
By Danielle Demetriou Last updated