Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels
1 night
Rooms and Guests
1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
All properties in Alijo

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels

Opened in 2025
R. Comendador José Rufino, Alijo, Vila Real District 5070-031, Portugal
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Amenities
Front Desk with Limited Hours
All amenities
Property Description
When you a stay at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel in Alijó, you'll be in the mountains, just steps from Igreja Matriz de Alijo and Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro. This pousada is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Jardim Publico Doutor Matos Cordeiro and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Bread and Wine Museum.
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8.6/10
Very Good
Great accomodation, nice personel, good food.
All 37 reviews
Surroundings
Airport: Vila Real Airport
(39.9 km)
Landmarks: Monumento ao Homem do Douro
(<100m)
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Overview

Rooms

Guest Reviews

Services & Amenities

Policies

Classic Double Or Twin Room
4

Classic Double Or Twin Room

2 Single bed or 1 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Room Details
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Superior Double Or Twin Room
8

Superior Double Or Twin Room

2 Single bed or 1 King bed
Non-smoking
Room Details
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Junior Suite Studio
7

Junior Suite Studio

1 King bed
Non-smoking
Room Details
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Deluxe Double Or Twin Room
5

Deluxe Double Or Twin Room

2 Single bed or 1 King bed
Non-smoking
Room Details
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Premium Double Or Twin Room
5

Premium Double Or Twin Room

2 Single bed or 1 Double bed
Non-smoking
Room Details
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Guest Reviews

8.6/10
Very Good
37 reviews
  • Cleanliness8.7
  • Amenities8.5
  • Location8.5
  • Service8.7
Average for similar properties in Alijo
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Review summary
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Service Quality: Staff are consistently praised for their friendliness, professionalism, and helpfulness, creating a welcoming experience. Front desk efficiency and staff knowledge about the local area add to the overall positive impression.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
May 17, 2024
Rooms need renovation
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
September 4, 2022
Great accomodation, nice personel, good food.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
July 20, 2025
We were quite happy here - nice rooms although rather dated bathrooms good restaurant, pleasant personnel. But, in the afternoon, we heard some musical warming up and that evening, there was a very loud public concert which lasted well after midnight. It was impossible to sleep, even with windows closed and ear plugs in. What a pity! And the same thing seems to be happening tonight. We chose this hotel for it's promised quiet. I'm afraid we won't come back.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
May 6, 2025
Firstly, this hotel is no longer owned by the Pousada (Portuguese Government) and is now operated by a private company. I am told the same staff remain under the new ownership. We stayed two nights at this hotel. First impressions are the interior is a little dated in places. That said, it did have the best [powerful] showers of or 10 night stay in Northern Portugal. The staff are friendly and helpful but the hotel does "close down" at midnight each evening and there is no front desk staff or any staff as I could determine in the property so if this is a concern for some travellers, be aware. I would say the hotel is a comfortable place to stay in a town with few options. The breakfast was again adequate but I found that to be the case in all the hotels we stayed in as opposed to in Spain where the breakfasts are sumptious especially in the Pardores. My comments about the restaurant are seperate.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
November 3, 2024
Excellent accommodation and service. Carina at the front desk went above and beyond with reservations for activities and restaurants. The meal at the hotel restaurant was exceptional. The room was spacious and comfortable. Wonderful !
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
October 29, 2024
A one night stay whilst on a walking holiday in the Douro. It has the feel of a family run place and the family do perfectly adequately, but it does feel a little thinly stretched at times. Comfortable room, nice breakfast and pleasant bar area are all plus points, but it felt strangely empty - it was real surprise to see so many people there for breakfast. It's very well situated, and easy to find. You could do a lot worse.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
August 14, 2024
We visited this pousada with two Portuguese friends who had never been there. The pousada is well situated in Alijo with a tranquil atmosphere. The rooms were comfortable and well appointed with a view over the patio area. The lounge area is spacious and comfortable. Loved the meals which featured local dishes with local ingredients. The wines are wonderful and the waiter's knowledge an education. Breakfast was traditionally Portuguese and delicious. What made our stay perfect was the gentleman on reception. He was welcoming and very helpful with a vast knowledge of the area and places to go. This pousada is well worth a visit.
G‍u‍e‍s‍t‍ ‍U‍s‍e‍r
August 4, 2023
When we arrived we were given room 201. This was a standard room and in accordance with our booking (booked via a travel agency in connection with our hiking week in the Douro Valley). The room was OK albeit a little dark. No balcony, but only few rooms at the Pousada have one. So not unexpected. But upon enquiry with reception for an extra charge of 10 Euro a night we got room 104, which was a much bigger room, with a lot of character, and probably with the best balcony of all the rooms. It made our stay so much more enjoyable. The shower was a little strange, but it worked, and the towels were really big (always a plus in my book). We stayed two nights and had dinner in the restaurant one of the nights. Excellent food and really good and professional service – and very reasonably priced. Smooth check-in, very friendly reception staff. Our booking included lunch packages for our hikes each day, and these were very nice and included plastic containers with a nice fresh salat. Much appreciated. This hotel was the only one during our hiking week that provided paper tissues. The only thing we missed in the room was an electric kettle.

Services & Amenities

More Amenities
Front Desk Services

Property Policies

Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: 15:00–22:00
Check-out: 07:30–12:00

Front desk hours: [Mon-Sun]07:30–24:00

Child Policies
Children of all ages are welcome at this property.
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.

Cots and Extra Beds
Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.

Breakfast
Breakfast is available at the hotel. Please contact the hotel for details.
AgeFee
Adult
Contact property
Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.

Pets
Pets are not allowed

Age Requirements
The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old

Paying at the Hotel

  • Cash

Property Description

  • Opened: 2025
  • Number of Rooms: 21
When you a stay at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel in Alijó, you'll be in the mountains, just steps from Igreja Matriz de Alijo and Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro. This pousada is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Jardim Publico Doutor Matos Cordeiro and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Bread and Wine Museum.

Enjoy recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool and an outdoor tennis court. Additional amenities at this pousada include complimentary wireless internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and tour/ticket assistance.

For lunch or dinner, stop by O Barão, a restaurant that specializes in Regional cuisine. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. Unwind at the end of the day with a drink at the bar/lounge or the poolside bar. For your convenience, a complimentary breakfast is served daily from 8 AM to 10:30 AM.

Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, dry cleaning/laundry services, and multilingual staff. Free self parking is available onsite.

Make yourself at home in one of the 21 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include desks and complimentary bottled water, and housekeeping is provided daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the check-in and check-out times at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels?

The check-in time at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels is 15:00-22:00 and the check-out time is 12:00.

Are pets allowed at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels.

How much does it cost to stay at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels?

Prices at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels are subject to change according to dates, hotel policy, and other factors. To view prices, please search for the dates you wish to stay at the hotel.

Which airport is closest to Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels?

Vila Real Airport is the closest airport to Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels, and it is about 27 mins from hotel by car (39.9 km).

What is the cancellation policy for Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels?

The cancellation policy for Forrester Essence Douro Hotel - by Unlock Hotels varies depending on the type of room and booking conditions.

About This Property

Nearest AirportVila Real Airport
Distance to Airport39.94KM
Average Price FromNZD289
Hotel Star Rating4