The Rebello Spa opens in Portugal

The Rebello, a five-star aparthotel on the banks of the River Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, has opened with a new 400sqm spa.

Bomporto Hotels’ third project – its first outside Lisbon – includes 103 apartments, a restaurant, rooftop bar and coffee shop.

Nicolas Roucos, managing director of the group, said: “The Rebello is unique in the way it combines a relaxed atmosphere, an exceptional location, straightforward service and attractive common areas.”

Melding Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine

Inspired by Roman baths, the Rebello Spa has a heated pool, a sauna, Technogym-equipped fitness centre and four treatment rooms.

Treatment beds are supplied by Sorisa, lockers and changing rooms by Quiet Studios and Room2Fit Collaboration.

The name of the project is a tribute to the small wooden boats (the famous rabelos) that used to transport barrels of port wine down the nearby river.

The Rebello Spa’s ethos stems from the principles of traditional Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicine to create specially tailored treatments.

Employing eight therapists, the spa and hotel are the vision architects, Metro Urbe.

The main architectural challenge was converting seven 19th-century industrial buildings into a hotel and spa that satisfied the needs of modern travellers.

The site, which had been home to a factory making kitchen utensils, now stretches across four buildings. Two newly built central blocks have been adapted to the site’s topography and two side buildings preserve historical features such as the façades and stone structure.

Spanish interior designer, Daniela Franceschini, founder of Quiet Studios, has brought an eclectic design to The Rebello. There are four key elements behind the creative process – water, wine, wood and industry.

Carla Castanheira, the group’s head of wellness and spa, said: “In line with Bomporto’s other hotel spas, the Ritual treatment is again one of the major highlights.

“A two-hour full-body therapy, it includes body exfoliation, followed by a relaxing massage and facial treatment.”

After every treatment, guests are invited to relax in the spa’s tranquillity water lounge, which has lamps that mimic the phases of the sun and moon.

Treatments use Portuguese brand EssenciAroma.

“Our mission is to provide a memorable experience to our customers,” added Castanheira. “In a comfortable and cosy environment – we aim to take care of our guests so that they feel even better than when they arrived. Our three magic words are relax, refresh and recharge.”

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