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Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

4.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

43-inch LCD TV with cable channels
Premium Double or Twin Room | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing
Exterior
Junior Studio Suite | Terrace/patio
Daily buffet breakfast for a fee

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Rua Comendador José Rufino, Alijó, Vila Real, 5070-031
  • Place, Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Jardim Publico Doutor Matos Cordeiro
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Igreja Matriz de Alijo
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Airport, Vila Real (VRL)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Classic Double or Twin Room

Classic Double or Twin Room | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Classic Double or Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed OR 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Superior Double or Twin Room

Superior Double or Twin Room | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Superior Double or Twin Room

  • 35 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed OR 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Premium Double or Twin Room

Premium Double or Twin Room | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Premium Double or Twin Room

  • 35 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Junior Studio Suite

Junior Studio Suite | Minibar, desk, laptop workspace, soundproofing

Junior Studio Suite

  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel

This smoke-free pousada features an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a poolside bar, a coffee shop/cafe and an outdoor tennis court are on-site.
Forrester Essence Douro Hotel offers 21 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and espresso makers. 43-inch LCD televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include a bath, bidets, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers. This Alijó pousada provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the pousada include an outdoor tennis court and an outdoor pool.
During your stay at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel, you're just a quick walk from Igreja Matriz de Alijo. Features include free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking, plus an outdoor pool. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy Regional cuisine while dining at O Barão
  • Buffet breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool
  • Services include dry cleaning/laundry, tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes an outdoor tennis court
  • Steps from Igreja Matriz de Alijo and Jardim da Avenida Doutor Francisco Sa Carneiro
  • Pets welcome for a fee
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
Forrester Essence Douro Hotel offers its guests an outdoor tennis court and an outdoor pool. Along with a restaurant, there's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces.

A terrace, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Forrester Essence Douro Hotel. Self parking is free.

This 4-star Alijó pousada is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
O Barão – This restaurant specialises in Regional cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
On-site venue No. 2 – This bar only serves light fare.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: EUR 15 for adults and EUR 7.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • O Barão

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool
  • Outdoor tennis court

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • 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
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • 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
  • Front entrance ramp
  • Hardwood flooring in room
  • Lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift

More

  • 1 building
  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Communal living room
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegetarian dining options

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

  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: EUR 25 per pet, per day
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 44 lb per pet)
  • Food and water bowls are available
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

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

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately EUR 15 for adults and from EUR 7.5 for children
  • Pet fee: EUR 25 per pet, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: EUR 20.0 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • The seasonal pool will open on 01 May and close on 31 October.

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

Forrester Essence Douro Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 57 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, beautiful hotel with stunning views and excellent restaurant.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eugene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved the hotel
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was extremely friendly and very helpful. Dinner was delicious every night!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly, helpful staff. Comfortable, spacious room with windows on two sides. Good breakfast. Nice area outside for eating al fresco in the evening. Centrally located.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very personal, friendly and helpful staff! The room was even larger than anticipated and very lovely views//////11
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

donald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Verified

8/10 Good

Liz

Room clean but would benefit from a bathroom update. Commented on noise because election rally went on till late across road from hotel both nights of our stay. Realise we were just unlucky to have this. Staff friendly and also knowledgeable about Port and where to buy it cheaply. Would love to come back overall.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Vittorio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Host David was so Kind and ready to solve all problems and request. The Restaurant a plus.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Verified

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ton

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Good service. Not working airco. Bathroom was a bit outdated.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Thomas

Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Not impressed with our stay.

We arrived at the hotel and found that the room did not correspond to the pictures on the website. Renovation work was in process. The room was very dusty. The floor is scratched and the furniture has seen better days. Te bathroom is old style and needs renovation. The air-conditioning did not work. The sleeping with open window was not a good choice as the room was giving on a busy street. Wi-Fi is patchy. After making a complaint, we were not able to change the room, as apparently the hotel was fully booked. The ray of sunshine of our stay was the good evening meal and the breakfast that is served in a nice ambience. Free parking is available at the hotel grounds. Let´s hope that after renovation the hotel gets back to a decent standard as advertised.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Isabel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Os funcionários muito simpáticos, atenciosos, prestáveis.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Marco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
La struttura bella e il servizio adeguato. Purtroppo ci hanno dato una camera a nostro giudizio comfort e non de luce come avevamo prenotato e pagato.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Estelle

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
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
Verified

8/10 Good

Isabelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Tres belle expérience. Merci.

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

SUSAN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere right in the heart of this small town. Attentive service, very good restaurant
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Rainer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Armaturen in der Dusche – Badewanne müssten erneuert werden. Sehr schöne Lage und gutes Restaurant
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

HUMBERTO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A repetir.

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

10/10 Excellent

Sophie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Sue

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
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
Verified

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely Historic Hotel

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Close by Centro walked to a very nice local restaurant. Staff were very friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claude

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Soirée très agréable aussi bien le logis que la table !
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rural setting was relaxing and refreshing. The staff went above and beyond to provide quality service. The restaurant was excellent
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019