Eloquent enough for a family, stylish enough for a business trip with just the right touch of cultural flavour for a romantic departure. Set in the heart of the Portuguese town of Arcos de Valdevez, fifty minutes from the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, this venue benefits from a beautiful landscape offering direct access to the River Vez and the Peneda Gerês National Park, an area famous for its natural wealth.
HISTORY
Originally opened in 1916 as Hotel Ribeira, by the Galician family Ribeira Durão, the latest rendition was purchased in 2018 by the Portuguese group OCRAM, which manages and operates the Piamonte Hotels brand. One known for its sophisticated stylings and high number of satisfied guests.
The OCRAM group was founded two years earlier by a pair of entrepreneurial hoteliers. Marco Rodrigues Dias, a young economist with a postgraduate in hotel management and Rui Andrade de Matos. who also has a degree in hotel management and operational experience of several hotels across Portugal and Africa.
THE ELOQUENT CHARM
There is no denying the appeal of the Ribeira Collection Hotel, which notably was considered the best luxury riverside hotel in the 14th edition of the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards. It boasts a total of thirty-seven rooms, each of a formal and stylish design that speaks of minimalist lines matched with an artistic flair.
For guests the hotel offers a spa with all amenities, including a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath, as well as a vast garden with access to the River Vez. It also has a private garage, a riverside lounge and a lobby bar.
And, to take full advantage of the enviable location, there are several activities available beyond the hotel. These include but are not limited to kayaking and stand-up paddle rides or the fun buggy rides with stops at incredible local areas of interest.
THE STAFF
As the guest facing ambassadors to the brand, the contingent of nineteen, locally employed staff are as impeccably trained and coordinated as the hotel itself. For example, for the customer facing team members such as reception and the food and beverage staff, focussed training is provided on the best way to talk and treat the guests, as well as additional training to strengthen the nuance of the specific roles.
“The local recruitment is our first and main option”, says owner Mr. Marco Rodrigues Dias. “Only if there are no candidates available do we start looking to recruit further afield”.
UPCOMING TRAVEL TRENDS IN THE AREA
Mr. Rodrigues Dias highlights that guests make booking decisions based on what sort of sustainability measures a hotel has in place, something that is clearly echoed on online platforms that already have ecofriendly rankings. Additionally, the digital transformation has influenced the way people book their trips and at The Ribeira Collection Hotel they have seen an increase in demand for online sales, which is now their strongest segment.
“Ribeira Collection Hotel’s main concern is to provide well-being and comfort to its guests through excellent infrastructure”, Mr. Rodrigues Dias explains. “Any sustainability efforts can be derived from making our principles more efficient”.
2023/2024
The upcoming year is set to be a busy one. The hotel has recently invested in renewing the restaurant’s menu and decoration, as well as in the requalification of its outdoor space, with various events planned over the coming months.
Mr. Rodrigues Dias also reveals that the spa area has been completely changed and now boasts two treatment rooms, a reception area, and a tea ritual area. The gym was also recently changed, and they have plans to invest in new machines and equipment.
“We are also establishing new partnerships with more local partners for wine and gastronomic activities” he adds. “And the hotel is acquiring boats so that its guests can enjoy trips on the river. Nothing says luxurious riverside stay, like a day trip along the waters”.
HOTEL ADDRESS: Largo dos Milagres, 4970-592 Arcos de Valdevez
HOTEL TELEPHONE NUMBER: +351 258 009 410
WEBSITE: www.ribeiracollectionhotel.com
HOTEL EMAIL: booking.rch@piamontehotels.com
SOCIALS: Facebook and Instagram
