Casa da Calçada
Portugal
Casa da Calçada
Largo do Paço 6, 4600-017, Amarante – Porto, Portugal
www.casadacalcada.com/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
N/A
Shareholders
Privately owned – Mota-Engil Family
Date of Creation
2001
Hotel General Manager
Mr. Rafael Furão is a hotelier with solid experience managing luxury and upscale properties, including leadership roles at Pestana Palácio do Freixo – Leading Hotels of the World property within Pestana Group and at Montebelo Hotels & Resorts from Visabeira Group, as well as his current role at Amazing Evolution as Operations Director.
Hotel Positioning
5 Star Luxury – Luxury Brand (Relais & Châteaux)
Development Strategy
Repositioning through major capex: a deep renovation and product upgrade (around €15M) culminating in the hotel’s reopening in April 2025 soft opening, until June full operation.
Casa da Calçada
History & Story
Casa da Calçada – Relais & Châteaux in Amarante is more than an architectural landmark — it is a house of memory, freedom, and humanist vision. Noble, cultured, and progressive, it once welcomed intellectuals and visionary gatherings, playing a role in key moments of Portuguese history while celebrating the region’s deep-rooted wine culture.
Today, it is a refined five-star hotel born from the vision of Manuel António da Mota, brought to life through the dedication of Paula Mota. Overlooking the Tâmega River in the historic heart of Amarante, it remains as charming and distinctive as the city itself.
Date Renewal
Casa da Calçada underwent a complete renovation in 2023 and 2024, reopening last year after a 15 million euro investment that further elevated the property’s heritage and luxury standards.
Date added extensions
N/A
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• 16thcentury palace with rich historical and cultural heritage
• Riverside setting in Amarante’s historic center, overlooking the Tâmega River
• Member of Relais & Châteaux, with strong emphasis on gastronomy and sense of place
• Signature fine dining and deep wine culture linked to the Douro region
• Intimate, boutique scale with highly personalized, warm service
• Fully renovated in 2023–2024, blending heritage charm with contemporary comfort
• Lush terraces, gardens and pool creating a romantic, secluded atmosphere
• Strong family legacy adding emotional depth to the guest experience
• Distinct wine identity, with estate Vinho Verde from Quinta da Calçada’s historic vineyards (winegrowing since 1917)
• “O Tempo” spa offering a serene, timetopause wellness experience
Location
Casa da Calçada sits in the heart of Amarante’s historic center, overlooking the Tâmega River and the iconic São Gonçalo Bridge. Surrounded by cobbled streets, traditional houses and local shops, it is within walking distance of the town’s main landmarks, cafés and riverside promenades offering both charm and tranquillity above the river, just 30/45 minutes from Porto and the Douro Valley.
Key sites/activities in the area
• São Gonçalo Bridge and São Gonçalo Church/Monastery, for history, views and local devotion.
• Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum, combining contemporary art with the former convent setting.
• Riverside walks along the Tâmega, traditional cafés and pastry shops.
• Amarante Golf Course (18 holes) just a short drive away.
• Douro Valley day trips: wine estate visits, tastings and river cruises, easily organized from Amarante.
• Outdoor activities in the surrounding Marão and Aboboreira mountains, such as hiking, cycling, canoeing and kayaking.
Fun Facts
• Some team members have been working with us since before the hotel opened in 2001, reflecting continuity and a strong sense of belonging.
• At the hotel entrance, a plaque welcomes guests with the words: “Welcome be all those who come with good intent”
• In the Museum Room, centuries‑old French books, the original palace coat of arms and historic details recall the past.
• On the walls, traditional tiles display iconic phrases linked to the French invasions, such as “Rien sans peine”, “Ni moins que les Grâces” and “Ni plus que les Muses.”
Children’s Corner
N/A
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 3 Suites – River View
• Providing free toiletries and bathrobes, this suite includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower, a bidet and a hairdryer. The spacious air-conditioned suite provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, soundproof walls, a minibar, a coffee machine as well as river views. The unit offers 2 beds. River View – 52m2
• Number of Luxury rooms: 13 rooms
• Prestige Garden View – 3 Rooms – 34m2
• Prestige River View – 6 Rooms – 35m2
• Deluxe River View – 3 Rooms – 44m2
• Panoramic Room – 1 Room – 39m2
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 35 Rooms
• Classic Rooms – 15 Rooms – 24m2
• Classic Superior Rooms – 3 Rooms – 28m2
• Family Classic Room – 1 Room – 61m2
Restaurants & Bars
• Largo do Paço – formerly holder of a Michelin star, reaffirms its culinary prestige with fine‑dining experiences led by chef Francisco Quintas, the youngest Portuguese chef to earn a Michelin star. It offers two tasting menus of 13 and 15 moments, a sensorial journey meticulously staged in every detail, inviting guests to rediscover gastronomy and the pleasure of the table.
• Canto Redondo returns under the lead of chef João Sá, a chef devoted to traditional, comforting cuisine reinterpreted with refined techniques and local, seasonal produce. A relaxed bistro restaurant, it blends traditional Portuguese flavors with international inspirations.
Wellness
• Brand New SPA – “O Tempo” – is seamlessly integrated into the estate’s landscape and vineyards, drawing its calm, unhurried atmosphere from the surrounding nature.
• Indoor + Outdoor Pool; Sauna; Turkish Bath; Ice Fountain; Relaxation Area
• 3 Treatment Rooms with a curated menu
Corporate & Celebration Events
• Sala do Paço II – 130m2
• Sala Polivalente – 88m2
• Sala Museu – 14m2
• Sala do Bar – 28m2
• Sala à Margem – 94m2
• Sala Jardim – 495m2
• Alambique – Wine Tasting Room – 40m2
Extra Notable Features
• Wines Route;
• Picnic;
• Cocktail Workshop;
• Private Yoga or Pilates Session in the Gardens;
• In-Room Wine Therapy Bath;
• Afternoon Tea;
• Painting Workshop “The Canvas, Myself and Amadeo”;
• Visit to Largo do Paço and Lunch with the Chef in the City;
• Amarante Tennis Club;
• Horse Ride Through the City;
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023
Largo do Paço held a Michelin star continuously from 2010 to 2023, with only one gap year since first earning the distinction in 2004. After closing for renovations and reopening in June 2025, we are now clearly focused on winning back the Michelin star.
Number of employees
43