See all properties

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

4.0 star property
Pousada in Alijó with free breakfast and a coffee shop

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

Free daily breakfast
Exterior
Exterior
Deluxe Double or Twin Room
Superior Double or Twin Room
At Palacete Barão de Forrester, guests enjoy breakfast before heading to the poolside bar for drinks. O Barão restaurant serves regional specialties for lunch and dinner. This upscale pousada offers a tennis court, coffee shop, and free WiFi for a complete mountain retreat.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Pool
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Junior Studio Suite

1 bedroom, minibar, desk, laptop workspace

Junior Studio Suite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Bidet
Private bathroom
Minibar
  • 344 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Classic Double or Twin Room

Classic Double or Twin Room

Classic Double or Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Bidet
Private bathroom
Minibar
Free bottled water
  • 344 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Bidet
Private bathroom
Minibar
  • 344 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Premium Double or Twin Room

1 bedroom, minibar, desk, laptop workspace

Premium Double or Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Bidet
Private bathroom
Minibar
  • 377 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds OR 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Double or Twin Room

Superior Double or Twin Room

Superior Double or Twin Room

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
LCD TV
Separate bedroom
Hair dryer
Bidet
Private bathroom
Minibar
  • 377 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Twin Beds
Mod logo
Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the area

Map
Rua Comendador José Rufino, Alijó, Vila Real, 5070-031

What's nearby

  • Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Igreja Matriz de Alijo - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Jardim Publico Doutor Matos Cordeiro - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Ujo Viewpoint - 8 min drive - 8.3 km
  • Quinta da Roêda Winery - 21 min drive - 19.6 km

Getting around

  • Tua Station - 25 min drive
  • Vila Real (VRL) - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante Cepa Torta - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Café Teixeira - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Vinha D'Oiro - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪O Pipas - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Mercado Bar - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

Upscale pousada in the mountains
At Forrester Essence Douro Hotel, you can look forward to free breakfast, a poolside bar, and a terrace. The on-site Regional cuisine restaurant, O Barão, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to a coffee shop/cafe and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Other perks include:
  • An outdoor pool with sun loungers
  • Free self parking
  • An outdoor tennis court, an elevator, and luggage storage
  • A front-desk safe, a banquet hall, and smoke-free premises
Room features
All guestrooms at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel feature thoughtful touches such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and minibars.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with bathtubs and bidets
  • 43-inch LCD TVs with cable channels
  • Wardrobes/closets, daily housekeeping, and desks

Languages

English, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Similar properties

Surrounded by lush greenery, this stone wall features a variety of plants with vibrant flowers.

Quinta Manhas Douro

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, 96 reviews
The price is CA $166
CA $176 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Quinta Manhas Douro

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Bar
  • O Barão

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool
  • Outdoor tennis court

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In the mountains
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Bathroom emergency pull cord
  • Elevator
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 1 building
  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub
  • Bidet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 43-inch LCD TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Laptop workspace

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - midnight
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for EUR 20.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Rollaway bed fee: EUR 20.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

Property is also known as

Pousada Barão Forrester
Pousada Barão Forrester Alijo
Pousada Barão Forrester Hotel
Pousada Barão Forrester Hotel Alijo
Pousada Barão de Forrester
Palacete Barão de Forrester.
Forester Essence Douro Hotel
Forrester Essence Douro Alijo
Forrester Essence Douro Hotel Alijó
Forrester Essence Douro Hotel Pousada (Portugal)
Forrester Essence Douro Hotel Pousada (Portugal) Alijó

Frequently asked questions

Does Forrester Essence Douro Hotel have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel?

As of Jul 15, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel on Jul 24, 2025 start from CA $130.49, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Forrester Essence Douro Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel?

Check-out is at noon.

Where is Forrester Essence Douro Hotel located?

Situated in the mountains, this pousada is steps from Igreja Matriz de Alijo, Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro, and Jardim Publico Doutor Matos Cordeiro. Bread and Wine Museum and Adega de Favaios are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 48 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10

Loved the hotel
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10

Beautiful, beautiful hotel with stunning views and excellent restaurant.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

6/10

Good service. Not working airco. Bathroom was a bit outdated.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10

The Host David was so Kind and ready to solve all problems and request. The Restaurant a plus.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10

Beautiful estate home converted into a hotel. Had a lovely overnight stay. Their restaurant is fabulous. Room was very comfortable. Since we were here in the Fall, the hotel was very quiet. Only a few guests. Service was excellent.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10

Too cold to use pool but wonderful to walk the grounds and around town. Staff are so helpful and kind. Especially a shout out to David who treated us very well.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

6/10

Le personnel donne un service impeccable par contre l’hôtel est désuet et ne répond pas aux attentes vs le site.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10

The staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. Dinner was delicious every night!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10

Very personal, friendly and helpful staff! The room was even larger than anticipated and very lovely views//////11
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10

2 nuits dans cet hôtel élégant et calme. Grande chambre avec vue sur la piscine. Literie un peu ferme. Salle de bains grande et fonctionnelle mais meritetait d'être rénovée. Restaurant très bien lors des 2 diners à la carte : mets savoureux, bien présentés, service impeccable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10

Stayed 1 night in May 2024

10/10

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10

David at checking was very helpful & spoke good English. Explained a bit of the history of the area from Roman times. Great bar / restaurant in the hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10

Very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of this small town. Attentive service, very good restaurant
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

8/10

Armaturen in der Dusche – Badewanne müssten erneuert werden. Sehr schöne Lage und gutes Restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

8/10

Excelente. Serviço profissional, simpático e disponivel. Boas condições de higiene, quer no quarto, quer nas zonas comuns.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10

Magnifique endroit calme, personnel très à l’écoute et très agréable, cuisine raffinée d’excellente qualité: bravo à la cheffe et à son équipe.
La terrasse qui donne sur la piscine
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

6/10

No heat in our room. Got moved to a new room, but not very good there, either. Manager was very helpful with tourism info. Breakfast okay, not great.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

8/10

Large rooms with comfortable beds. Lovely grounds and gathering spaces. Our one dinner there was excellent. Complimentary breakfast very good. Beautiful drive to hotel with amazing views.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

10/10

Close by Centro walked to a very nice local restaurant. Staff were very friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

8/10

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019