Porto hotel makes magazine shortlist

The Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta has been voted one of the best gastro-hotels in the world in the National Geographic Traveller Hotel Award 2021 – the only one in Portugal.

The decision by the jury was down to the creativity and efforts of its chef Miguel Castro e Silva who resurrected the traditional recipes of the Douro region with a contemporary twist and recreated iconic dishes.
It was Nº3 on the list of best gastro-hotels in the world from among a shortlist of just 39 hotels this year, and it was the only Portuguese hotel to get the award for the work it developed in 2021.
“Much more than a simple place to stay, hotels can make or break a travel experience and now when we try to start exploring the world again, the place where we choose to stay is more important than ever,” states National Geographic when it announced the winers and runners up in the 13 categories which won awards.
“Our awards highlight both new and renovated properties that appeared the previous year either because of an exciting renovation, outstanding ecological features, projects with spectacular architecture or unforgettable gastronomic experiences which linger in the memory long after the visit”.
“All the decadence of the Douro is decanted into this historic, 1,000-acre farm in wine-rich northern Portugal. The original main building is 500 years old; not that she’s showing her age — thanks to a renovation, animal shelters and olive mills have been repurposed into a memorable space in which to enjoy the riparian beauty of northern Portugal. The stunning landscape aside, the highlight is the farm-to-fork restaurant, where multi-course menus are dictated by nature’s changing seasons,” says National Geographic.