Luxury Hotel · Portugal
Torel Palace Porto
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At a glance
Torel Palace Porto occupies a pair of historic mansions in the heart of Porto, within walking distance of the Porto Cathedral, Bolhão Market, and the waterfront of the Ribeira.
The hotel holds a Michelin Key, awarded in the first official Michelin selection in Portugal, and houses the Michelin-starred BLIND restaurant, led by Chef Vitor Matos, one of the most recognized names in Portuguese fine dining.
The hotel’s literary theme runs through every room, suite, and apartment, each named after a Portuguese writer or poet. The architecture of the two buildings includes a skylight, stucco ceilings, and facade details that were preserved through the conversion.
The hotel’s 24 rooms and suites sit within the main palace, with 18 additional self-contained apartments in a separate building nearby, each named after a Portuguese literary figure and available as standalone accommodation.
Highlights
- 24 rooms and suites in a historic palace, each named after a Portuguese writer or poet, with 18 literary apartments in a separate building.
- BLIND, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Calla Wellness Suite, outdoor pool, hot tub, and private yoga classes.
Accommodation
Rooms
The 24 rooms and suites are spread across four floors, with eight room categories each named after a Portuguese writer or poet. No two rooms are alike.
All include premium bedding, bathrobes, air conditioning, a minibar, a Nespresso machine, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service, with walk-in showers and Portuguese bath products throughout.
Classic Rooms are the entry point with city or courtyard views, while Superior Rooms offer additional space and, in some configurations, balconies overlooking the historic streets of central Porto.
Suites
The suite collection takes the literary theme further, with larger floor plans, separate living areas, and in some cases terraces or views toward the Douro River.
Each suite is individually designed and named after a specific Portuguese writer, with corresponding artwork, books, and design references carried through the room.
Apartments
The 18 apartments sit in a building directly across the street from the main palace on Rua de Entreparedes, each named after a Portuguese writer or poet and designed as a self-contained space suited to longer stays or guests who want more independence.
Each reflects its named writer through furnishings, artwork, and design references, with no two configured the same way. All include air conditioning, free WiFi, a minibar, a Nespresso machine, and 24-hour room service. Breakfast is served at the main hotel, a short walk across the street.
Further information
Food & Drink
BLIND
The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, led by Chef Vitor Matos, with a tasting menu rooted in Portuguese ingredients and shaped by the chef’s own memories and international influences. The restaurant’s name is a tribute to José Saramago’s novel Blindness, and the dining experience is designed as a sensory journey.
Florbela Pâtisserie
Set within the hotel’s library, Florbela Pâtisserie is a tribute to Portuguese poet Florbela Espanca, serving handmade French-inspired pastries alongside light meals throughout the day.
Bar
The hotel bar operates throughout the day and into the evening, with cocktails, Portuguese wines, and light bites available alongside the patisserie.
Spa & Wellness
The Calla Wellness Suite uses 100 percent Portuguese and organic products across a menu of body treatments, massages, and facials. A year-round outdoor pool and a hot tub sit within the hotel grounds, with private yoga classes available on request.
The wellness offering draws on the natural landscape of Portugal through its product selection, with treatments available to all guests throughout the stay.
Portugal
Portugal runs on Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK and six hours ahead of the East Coast of the US. The country is small enough that domestic travel between Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve is straightforward, by road, rail, or short-haul flight, with no meaningful time zone complications on multi-region itineraries. Tipping is less embedded in Portuguese culture than in the US.
Our Experts
If you like food, surfing or simply sightseeing, Portugal is somewhere you just have to visit. I personally adore Lisbon for its booming culinary scene and colourful backstreet bars and cafes.
Porto is my absolute favourite place in Europe and I've been too many times to count. It's super-inclusive and is also perfectly paired with a trip to Morocco.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.