Two Sides of the Douro, Two Ways of Feeling the City

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Porto is a city of balance — of rivers and rooftops, of past and present, of nostalgia and new beginnings. To truly experience it, you have to live both sides of the river: the old soul of Casa da Companhia in the heart of Porto, and the modern energy of Origine Gaia across the water.

Together, they tell a story of contrast and connection — between heritage and design, memory and movement.

Casa da Companhia: The Soul of the City

Set along the elegant Rua das Flores, just a short walk from São Bento Station, Casa da Companhia is a sanctuary that carries the city’s wine legacy within its walls. Housed in an 18th-century building that once served as the headquarters of Real Companhia Velha, the historic Port wine company, the hotel is deeply tied to Porto’s identity — a love letter to craftsmanship, conviviality, and heritage.

Every archway and corridor whispers the past. The interiors preserve their original character — vaulted ceilings, exposed stone, and warm natural textures — blending tradition with discreet contemporary elegance. On the ground floor, the Restaurant & Bar opens directly onto Rua das Flores, inviting guests in for drinks and traditional Portuguese dishes and snacks prepared by the hotel’s chef. It’s relaxed, local, and perfectly in tune with the street’s rhythm.

The 40 rooms and suites continue this narrative of calm and authenticity. Many feature original architectural details, softened by natural materials and warm lighting. They feel serene, spacious, and intentionally quiet — rooms designed for rest, not show.

Service is warm, attentive, and unpretentious, complemented by a Spa by L’Occitane, a gym, pools, and a generous breakfast that celebrates fresh regional ingredients. Casa da Companhia captures Porto’s essence: graceful, grounded, and deeply rooted in its heritage.

Serenity is the feeling that embraces you when you take a break at the SPA of Casa da Companhia..jpg

Origine Gaia: The Other Side of the River

Across the Douro, facing Porto’s shimmering skyline, Origine Gaia tells a different story — one of transformation, emotion, and contemporary design. Positioned between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, the Origine Porto Gaia Hotel redefines hospitality through narrative and atmosphere.

Inspired by the romance of Maria and Louis, Origine feels like stepping into a home animated by memory, curiosity, and intimacy.

Its 70 rooms blend rich textures, soft hues, and thoughtful details — an interplay between comfort and emotion. Many rooms open onto sweeping views of the Douro, where the city’s tiled facades and iconic bridges unfold before you. Curated amenities and artisanal touches root the experience in local culture, while the warm, intuitive service makes the hotel feel personal and lived-in.

At Cais Me Bem, Origine’s elegant restaurant, the hotel’s philosophy continues through a menu that balances refinement, warmth, and a sense of place. It’s elevated, expressive, and aligned with Origine’s soulful identity.

Origine calls to cosmopolitan travellers drawn to spaces that mix heritage and modernity, design and emotion. It’s a place to belong — where each stay becomes a new chapter in your own love story with Porto.

Porto, Between Two Worlds

Staying at Casa da Companhia and Origine Gaia is like tracing Porto’s soul from both sides of the river. One invites you to slow down and remember; the other encourages you to look forward and feel.

At Casa da Companhia, you walk through centuries of wine, art, and architecture. At Origine, you wake to the skyline — morning light glimmering over rooftops, river, and bridges. Together, they reveal the layered, living essence of Porto.

Two stays, two moods, one unforgettable Porto.

If you enjoyed this article, you should check out Gandum Village: A Sustainable Boutique Hotel in Alentejo, Portugal