FOUR OF PORTUGAL’S FINEST HOTELS FOR WINE LOVERS

SIX SENSES DOURO VALLEY

Douro is one of the world’s oldest wine regions and in addition to a rather nice swimming pool, this hotel (right) has a library with books and interactive guides to its history. Dine at the chef ’s table to observe the Josper grill in action, from which emerge dishes of chargrilled leeks, garden figs and goat’s cheese, smoky peaches and presunto ham. The wine list features the best of the Douro and the two sommeliers are both acclaimed winemakers, adding insight into the region at nightly tastings.

Double rooms from €350 (£311); telegraph.co. uk/tt-sixsensesdouro

CASA DO RIO, DOURO VALLEY

The hotel (below) is suspended over a small gorge with the wide Douro flowing past it. Casa do Rio is the work of acclaimed architect Francisco Vieira de Campos and is owned by Quinta di Vallado winery. Tastings are held regularly, including of wines from the surrounding organic vineyard, Quinta do Orgal. Otherwise, there is an infinity pool cut into the cliffs and bikes for exploring. Guests can also take trips on the hotel’s boat.

Double rooms from €150; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-casadorio

L’AND VINEYARDS, ALENTEJO

These low-slung, white modernist buildings with interiors by Brazilian designer Marcio Kogan and retractable roofs to admire the stars raise the bar in rural Alentejo. So, too, does the kitchen, as the holder of the region’s first Michelin star. There are bicycles for riding around the lake and wine tastings with produce made from their own vines. Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa offers massages, scrubs and other grape-based treatments, plus there is a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a sauna and a tennis court.

Double rooms from €220; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-landvineyards

HERDADE DA MALHADINHA NOVA, ALENTEJO

An immersion into Portuguese rural life is guaranteed on this working farm with a winery and a small spa (below) on site. Across the lake lie 10 bedrooms with simple whitewashed walls and warm terracotta floors gathered around an infinity pool. Activities include riding lessons on Lusitano horses and hot-air balloon rides. The Michelin-starred restaurant delivers farm-to-fork dishes.

Doubles from €250; telegraph.co.uk/ttherdademalhadinha