Accolades for Six Senses Douro Valley by Clodagh Design

Posted in News, Projects on 6 January, 2017

New York-based design studio Clodagh Design, led by design visionary Clodagh, world-renowned design icon, were responsible for the interior design of the newly renovated Six Senses Douro Valley Resort and Spa in Portugal.

The resort has received much acclaim in the past year, with Condé Nast Traveler Editors naming it their #10 favorite hotel in Europe. Additional attention includes:

2016 Condé Nast Traveler Hot List top 60 hotels (The Best New Hotels in the World: Hot List 2016)

Conde Nast Traveler Spa Awards 2016- Winner of Most Indulgent Escape

Best Boutique Hotel in Portugal

Forbes Magazine- 2016 Ultimate Scenic Wellness Break

Travel + Leisure 2016 (Best Places to Travel in 2016)

Telegraph Travel Awards- Six Senses Hotel named world’s best hotel group

Gold Key Award- finalist for Best Resort

European Hotel Design Awards finalist- Interior Design Category, Spa & Wellness

Six Senses Douro Valley Resort and Spa addresses all the senses and incorporates all the elements. With jaw-dropping views of the Douro River, the driveway winds down through the working vineyards to a cypress flanked entry.

Said Clodagh: “When we first flew to the property, we were blown away by the colours, light and endless fields of rustic grape vines. When making design choices, we drew on these colours and the already existing, unimaginably beautiful land, tipping a hat to the past while still being completely contemporary, so that joy and wellness is brought to every single visitor.

“We always keep sustainability at the core of all our design choices, and similarly, as Portugal was on the silk route, we wanted to epitomise a sense of history in all materials used; burnished metals in the rooms behind the beds, carpets with green underlying tones, old wine cases and empty wine bottles reused to create light fixtures… we really tried to capture the spirit of this special place.”

Using authentic and honest materials and the work of local artisans and craftsmen, the property provides a luxurious retreat with serene and quiet rooms that feature spacious dove grey Portuguese limestone bathrooms and beds that are handmade using organic lamb’s wool from local sheep.

As the resort’s heart, Clodagh created a wine library that functions almost like a village town square.

Two monumental ceiling fixtures made of local wine bottles are a playful reference to the area’s famous wine region and adorn a space used for tasting and tapas.

Using gentle, warm and nostalgic tones, items such as recycled wine crates are used as wall covers. Distressed leather sofas and beautifully aged books help create an authentic and enriching tactile experience for the guests.

Spa rooms look out over lush secret gardens, water sculptures and expansive views of the Valley.

An organic garden and outdoor Chef’s table provide joyful interactions with the natural environment and local food resources.

Designed with wellness, sustainability and authenticity at the forefront, the resort provides a platform to further steward a brand that Clodagh feels such kinship and synchronicity with.

Photos by John Athimaritis