DOURO VALLEY - Portugal - page 383

more memorable Douro experience. The fancier places serve meals and have half-board
options.
The Douro is extremely crowded during the grape harvest in late September and early
October, and good rooms are in short supply to begin with; if visiting during this time,
book as far ahead as possible. Simpler places charge the same rates year-round; more ex-
pensive hotels charge more for weekends and during the busy season (roughly April-Oct).
In the city of Peso da Régua, you have two choices, neither of which is traditional or
charming: a tasteful, well-located hotel, or a cheap, basic hotel. If you have a car, get out
of town!
$$ Hotel Régua Douro is the only classy option in town. With a top-floor panoramic
breakfast room and 77 comfortable rooms—many of them with sweeping river
views—it's a fine splurge (Sb-€52-68, Db-€67-86, higher prices are for July-Oct, add
about €15-25 for weekends, riverview rooms are a good value at only €2-5 more than
cityview rooms, suites available, air-con, elevator, expensive Internet in lobby, pool,
Largo da Estação da C.P., tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotelreguadouro.pt ,
[e-mail] ).
$ Império Hotel has a convenient, central location in a stark tower a block from the
station and across the street from Hotel Régua Douro. Its 33 recently renovated rooms are
basic and surrounded by busy streets, but the price is right (Sb-€35-40, Db-€45-50, Tb-
€65-75, includes breakfast, air-con, Wi-Fi, Rua Vasques Osório 8, tel. [phone], fax
254-321-457, www.imperiohotel.com , [e-mail] ).
Sleep Code
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 351)
S = Single, D = Double/Twin, T = Triple, Q = Quad, b = bathroom, s = shower only.
Unless otherwise noted, credit cards are accepted, and English is spoken.
To help you easily sort through these listings, I've divided the accommodations
into three categories, based on the price for a standard double room with bath during
high season.
$$$ Higher Priced —Most rooms €100 or more.
$$ Moderately Priced —Most rooms between €50-100.
$ Lower Priced —Most rooms €50 or less.
Prices can change without notice; verify the hotel's current rates online or by
email.