Commissioned by King Carlos I of Portugal and completed in 1910, the terracotta-pink palace at the heart of Vidago Park in the Trás-os-Montes highlands was conceived as a destination spa around the region's celebrated carbonated mineral springs. Vidago Palace, designed in a French Second Empire manner with mansard roofs, pedimented dormers, and a symmetrical garden forecourt of clipped topiary and a central fountain jet, has always carried the particular authority of a building that knows exactly what it is — a grand hotel in the aristocratic European tradition, built at a moment when that tradition was at full confidence. The interiors, refreshed during a major renovation completed around 2010 under the Pestana Collection Hotels group, hold the tension between palace restoration and contemporary hospitality with reasonable grace. The double-height dining room preserves its original coffered and gilded ceiling, wrought-iron mezzanine balustrade, and parquet floors beneath a patterned carpet of deep crimson and rose, while guest rooms are furnished in a quieter register — duck-egg walls, upholstered tufted headboards, geometric wool rugs, and Hepplewhite-style side chairs that reference the building's Edwardian era without pastiche. Behind the palace, a low-slung contemporary spa pavilion rendered in the same terracotta red as the original facade extends toward a generous outdoor pool terrace, managing the architectural conversation between old and new with an economy of means that serves the landscape well.

1hr 30min drive from Porto airport (OPO)

Long-revered as a spa retreat among Europe's elite - who came to benefit from the famed mineral waters of Vidago - Vidago Palace is a legend reborn.First opened in 1910, Vidago Palace was created to provide its discerning clientele with rooms and facilities fit for a king. One hundred years later, after extensive restoration and renovations, the newly decorated Vidago Palace invites today’s traveller to be captivated by its Belle Epoque charm, championship golf course, state-of-the-art spa and 5 star hotel services.Surrounded by natural beauty, Vidago Palace is an outstanding luxury hotel in Portugal, the prefect venue for weddings and events and a proud member of Leading Hotels of the World.Among the most famous historic luxury hotels in Portugal, Vidago Palace is magnificent yet inviting, combining the grandeur of a palace with the warmth of a country home.Surrounded by mountains and 250 acres of mature woods and parkland, Vidago Palace enjoys a tranquil setting – perfect for a relaxing and restorative stay. The pure country air and lush grounds, artfully dotted with ornate mineral-water pavilions, provide visitors with a welcome tonic to the trials of modern life.Inside, the grand staircase, high ceilings, large reception rooms and sweeping views lend themselves to Vidago Palace’s magical atmosphere.A showcase for traditional craftsmanship, Vidago Palace is resplendent with hand-loomed rugs, elaborate tiling and hand-painted wall-coverings – all designed to respect and enhance the building’s illustrious past.The interior architects Jose Pedro Lopes Vieira and Diogo Rosa Là, in collaboration with renowned architect Alvaro Siza Vieira and with the support of the Palace’s owners, UNICER, worked diligently to recapture and surpass Vidago Palace’s splendour.