"Nice staff and beautiful view. Room is comfortable."

"A very beautiful winery hotel with a quiet environment and peacocks walking around the vineyard. My favorite is breakfast. The food is diverse, fresh and delicious, and the restaurant has an endless view. The hotel's location is 1.5 hours' drive from the airport, which is very convenient. The hotel service is very good and there are many activities to choose from. I will come back next time."

"Casa da Azenha is a wonderful small place. The house and buildings are on quiet and beautiful grounds -- there is a lush garden, a pool area (worth relaxing by for the birdsong even if it's too cool to swim) and relaxing public areas. Though a few minutes from Peso da Régua, it feels like it's in the countryside surrounded by cultivated vines. It's was a peaceful place to relax and take a break from some of the busy places we'd been visiting. It is the hospitality of the small staff that makes a stay here so pleasurable. Lydia, Ivo and the others make you feel welcome, and are ready to help you with anything you might need, whether at the casa or arrangements beyond. They're ready to take care of you. There is not a restaurant, but Lydia is able to provide a delicious light meal (or full dinner if you prefer) to go with wine you might have purchased. There is even a mellow little dog, Ginja to add to the warmth. We were traveling without a car and wanted to tour the Douro Valley while staying in a rural setting. This place was perfect. Though it feels far away, it's a short and inexpensive ride to the train in Régua. They can easily set you up with Antonio (913 998 027) for a taxi to town (or beyond.) Ivo was able to set up a wine tasting (and tour) of their next-door neighbor, Quinta Casa Amarela. I can't imagine that a visit at a large Quinta could match the experience with Gil. A highlight of our trip. Normally, I wouldn't go to so much effort to praise a place. Casa de Azenha is really special, great if you have a car and perfect if you don't."

"Casa Dos Varais is a small family run hotel in the manor house of a Douro wine estate. The owners Joao and Ernestina live on site and are very welcoming and helpful. You feel like personal guests in their house. The house itself has been maintained in a historic style which really suits an old building like this. This is definately classy antique and not old and tired. During our stay we were able to tread the grapes in the estate winery (only possible at harvest obviously! first week of September this year) and have meals in the wine house and in the formal dining room of the house. Breakfast is provided, normally on a terrace in summer, with a good selection of breads and fruit from the estate gardens. There is no hotel restaurant as such, instead evening meals can be arranged specially for you. Ernestina will suggest menus to suit you and you can choose from venues including the old wine house and the formal dining room. The style is traditional Portuguese. We had three meals during our stay all of which were delicious and accompanied by the excellent wines produced on the estate. Wines are included in the meal prices you are quoted and this does not mean "all inclusive package" generic cheap wine, they are Joao's own wines. A personal highlight was a port from the 1980s which Joao shared with us at our final dinner. Away from the hotel the village of Regua is a short walk away. Regua has many restaurants, a good rail service up and down the Douro and the possibility of boat trips, there are very pleasant and well marked walking trails close by. The hotel is right on the road but we had no issues with noise, it is not a major route, the entrance to the parking is a little tight so take care on first arrival. In summary a stay here is a very sociable experience, there are very few guests so do not expect hundreds of staff and 24hr room service. Do expect personal attention from the hosts and staff. Ernestina and Joao both chatted to us each day about our plans and suggested places to see. We felt that we were members of a house party on an estate rather than merely customers."