Fabulous hotel, oldest port wine history? Check in here

In 1636, a German called Nicolau Kopke arrived in Lisbon. He came to represent the Hanseatic League, the powerful alliance of merchants. Soon he was in Porto. There he inaugurated the export of Portuguese wine to Northern Europe. Kopke lived in an era of incredible change. He grew up at the same time as Jamestown, the first English colony in America. He heard of a certain Hudson that had discovered an island which came to be known as Manhattan. He witnessed the Thirty Years War. And then he did something no less extraordinary: he founded the first ever port wine company.

Care to spend a night at his old place in Portugal? By all means. You are most welcome to the brand new, extraordinary Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel.

Yes, you can literally stay at the renowned Kopke house, once a 17h century manor. The building has been restored with all the standards that protect and preserve centuries of memories.

Elegant simplicity can be felt throughout. There is a refined sense of aesthetics. The past blends delicately with contemporary comfort. There’s a sense of peace emanating from the combination of noble materials used in the design. Outside, the view falls away over old Porto, a World Heritage Site.

We are on the left bank of the Douro, in Gaia. This is, of course, the city that stores all the port wine barrels. In the hotel, large terraces run down the hillside to the river, linked by gardens. All around, the history of the famous cellars vibrates in each stone.

The fabulous location of the Tivoli Kopke expands upon the inside experience. Ailes that are real art galleries, and a de facto mini-photography museum about Northern Portugal, lead you to the magnificent rooms (which boast several deluxe suites and a presidential one). The discreet spa, gym, hammam, sauna and indoor and outdoor pools are not to be missed.

Actually, walking through the spa door is like stepping through a portal into a sanctuary. It’s a sensory experience capable of restoring balance. One of the highlights is the massage inspired by the wine heritage of the Douro region: the application to the body of a blanket made of corks which, when manipulated, create a feeling of warmth and well-being. The atmosphere is of total serenity in each of the five treatment rooms, including one for couples, perfect for escaping the routine and taking care of body and mind.

“Connecting the best” is undoubtedly the key phrase here. After all, these twin cities in between which the Tivoli Kopke glows, Porto and Gaia, are the only in the country linked by six bridges.

There’s another bond that runs through here. It’s a gastronomic one: Portugal and Spain (where the Douro River is born, by the way). The restaurants in the hotel are in the hands of chef Nacho Manzano, a Spaniard from Asturias who was awarded three Michelin stars.

The Boa Vista and the 1638 restaurants are excellent choices for causal or fine dining. The first one’s degustation menus take guests to a truly higher level. In the other, Manzano’s tapas universe is a feast (ham croquettes, anchovy paste, smoked sardines, herring roe… we could go on…).

There’s a Wine Bar stocked with Kopke’s old and rare nectars, which can be accompanied by smoked fish, Iberian ham or caviar and truffles. In the Sky bar, a spectacular terrace invites you to enjoy exquisite cocktails, premium wines and tapas, spiced up by live music. At the pool bar, drinks and meals are light and refreshing.

And then there’s plenty to discover outside…

Next to the hotel, on a time-worn plaque, the street’s name: Baron of Forrester. Not by accident. Joseph James Forrester, a 19th century Briton, is a legend in Portuguese wine. His mapping of the Douro and his vineyard studies redefined the region’s natural treasure.

Then, follow the old alleys that surround the five-star hotel. The large wine warehouses exude history and stories. Next, cross the King Luis Bridge, another icon. It was designed by an Eiffel associate (yes, the one from that tower in Paris…). Once on the other bank, immerse yourself in truly ancient Porto. It’s also a gateway to modernity. From the monuments of the center and the exciting Downtown life to the world-famous Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, a few miles further west, the choice is tremendous.

In the end, you’ll want to return to the discreet lavishness of the Tivoli Kopke. And once again you’ll get lost in the memories of wine. You see, the original Kopke cellars have been restored. They are also part of the hotel building. That’s where you can ask for a tasting session. Actually, that’s where more than 2,7 million liters of port wine rest and mature. (Yes, you got that number right.)

So, thank you indeed, Herr Nicolau Kopke. Almost four centuries ago you were already planning our modern pleasures.