Flattered
Flattered are holiday apartments in the exclusive Foz do Douro neighbourhood of Porto, overlooking the nearby beach and ocean just 50 meters away.
The blend of contemporary architecture and romantic decor is quite special.
Massarelos House
Massarelos House is a remarkable collection of 15 serviced apartments set in four restored 19th-century buildings in Porto, each named after a historic ceramic factory and showcasing original faience art. Massarelos House features a garden with a swimming pool, a communal Cafeteria with honesty bar and fireplace, and rooftop terrace views over the river and beyond, creating a convivial yet intimate atmosphere. Massarelos House is set in the charming, residential Massarelos district, just 15 minutes' walk from the Ribeira and 50 metres from the Douro riverfront.
The swimming pool is small (6x2m), and guests in the warmer months are asked to book a two-hour slot in advance. Fresh bread is delivered to apartment doors each morning at 8am as part of the breakfast service.
What was your inspiration to create Massarelos House? What is the story behind it?
I was walking around Porto in 2014, and while passing through the area, I immediately fell in love with the buildings. All four were quite derelict and the interiors were going to be demolished, but the facades were well preserved.
The street dates from around 1860 so the houses are from that period. A family opened a brewery on the street and built a family residence nearby, with an orchard and garden alongside.
The property is in an area known as Massarelos, which was founded in the 15th century by a sailor/navigator. In the 19th century, the best faience factory in town was constructed in the area, the Fabrica de Massarelos. That was the inspiration for the project.
In the 19th century, the faience industry in Porto was healthy, with around 35 different factories. Each of the 15 apartments is named after a ceramic factory and showcases faience from that factory. I also brought my personal collection of contemporary Portuguese art — between 15 and 20 different artists are represented.
We worked with a local architect on the project, creating a series of serviced apartments set around an interior courtyard garden. He created a very clever design, linking and relating the four buildings by bringing the staircase into the garden so all of our guests can enjoy it.
There are common areas that connect to the garden, including the Cafeteria, which has an honesty bar, a fireplace and a large table for dining. In the garden, there is also a swimming pool and several terraces.
How would you describe the architecture and interior design? How would you describe the atmosphere?
Portugal has long been linked to Britain and Germany through the wine trade and this has influenced the look and feel of the city. So we decided to reflect that. Our architect created a contemporary, clean design and working on the project were various interior designers.
Many of the furnishings are antiques purchased in England and France, while the textiles were produced by a local designer. We have several Islamic carpets from the 19th century and asked a Spanish artist to design the wallpapers. There are very marked elements in the creation.
To you personally, what's so special about Massarelos House?
It’s the blend of contemporary architecture and the romantic decor of the interior, with a view into faience and contemporary Portuguese art. The location near the river is charming and the garden is a nice feature of the project.
Guests enter the building through a covered courtyard with some sculptures and a fountain. There is a reception area on the ground floor, as well as three apartments, one of which opens into an interior courtyard with ferns and a fountain. A covered staircase leads to the first floor where you’ll find the Cafeteria and three apartments.
On the second floor, there are five apartments, three of which are duplex apartments. Between the second and third storeys, there is a covered terrace that opens to the garden. On the third floor, there are four duplex apartments, two with mezzanines for kids. On the rooftop, there is a terrace with a nice view of the surroundings and the sea.
Enjoy a delightful living room that is connected to the kitchen with windows that open onto Rua da Restauração. Being located on the ground floor, the apartment has high ceilings and large windows that let in the midday and evening light. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
This holiday apartment has a double bedroom (a format with a double bed or two singles is available) with views onto the quiet main street which sees few passers-by or traffic. The living room has a sofa-bed suitable for 2 guests. The bathroom comes complete with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows in this holiday apartment were replaced with new wooden frames and double glazing that provide both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 39 sqm.
Located on the ground floor on Rua da Restauração, this holiday apartment has a high ceiling and large windows to catch the light at midday and into the evening. The apartment has a spacious living room that is connected to the large kitchen. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The apartment has 2 double bedrooms with either a double bed or 2 single beds format looking out onto the quiet main street that has little traffic or passers-by. The living room has a sofa-bed for 2 guests. The bathroom is complete with a shower, while the kitchen is fitted with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows in this holiday apartment were replaced with new wooden frames and double glazing that provide both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 66 sqm.
This is an interior apartment with large windows that overlook a courtyard that is enlivened by gardens and the sound of water playing in the fountain. Being on the ground floor and overlooking the gardens in the courtyard means that it is not the lightest in the building, but it is the most peaceful. The apartment has a spacious living room with a built-in kitchen. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The apartment has 1 double bedroom with either a double bed or two single beds, overlooking the courtyard through a large window. The living room has a sofa-bed for 2 guests. The bathroom comes complete with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 37sqm.
The apartment is located on the corner of the main street and the gardens. The windows of its charming living room overlook Rua da Restauração and the building´s main gardens, as does the kitchenette that is integrated into the living room. Being on the ground floor, the apartment has high ceilings and large windows that let in the light at midday and in the evening. The apartment´s south-west/north-east orientation means that it is bright, while the views onto the gardens add to its charm. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The apartment has 1 double bedroom that can have one double bed or two single beds. The bedroom overlooks the quiet main street that has little traffic and sees few passers-by. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests. The bathroom comes complete with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 38 sqm.
This holiday apartment has a beautiful living room that is connected to a large kitchen with windows that look out onto the Rua da Restauração. Being on the ground floor means that the apartment has high ceilings and large windows that are open to the midday and evening light. The wooden floor provides both comfort and warmth.
The 2 double bedrooms — which can be in 1 double bed or 2 single beds – have views of the quiet main street that has little traffic and few passers-by. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests. The bathroom comes with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 65 sqm.
The large windows of this semi-interior holiday apartment look out over the interior courtyard that is enlivened by the garden and the sound of the water playing in the fountain, while a series of high windows capture the morning light from Rua de Entre Quintas. This holiday apartment has a spacious living room with a workstation and a kitchenette. Being on the ground floor and facing the courtyard gardens means that though this may not be the most illuminated apartment in the building, it does mean that it is one of the most peaceful. The wooden floor provides warmth and comfort.
The apartment has 2 double bedrooms, which can have a 1 double bed or 2 single beds configuration with views of the courtyard through a large window. One bedroom is on a slightly different level and is located close to the courtyard garden. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests. The bathroom comes complete with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provide both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 74 sqm.
This is a beautiful holiday apartment and is located on the corner of the Rua da Restauração and the garden. It has an ample and luminous living room with a kitchenette, with windows and a balcony opening out onto Rua da Restauração and the main gardens. The windows being open to the light of midday and the evening mean that the apartment is luminous, while the views onto the gardens add to its charm. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
On the upper level, with a timbered ceiling, there are two double bedrooms, one of which has two single beds and an inclined window with views of the roof, while the other has an ensuite bathroom and a window looking onto the gardens. This bedroom can be in a double bed or 2 single beds configuration and looks onto the gardens and the Arrábida Bridge. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests. On each level, there is a complete bathroom with a shower. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 74 sqm.
This holiday apartment has a delightful living room that looks out onto Rua da Restauração and is connected to the kitchen. The windows being open to the light of midday and the evening make the apartment very luminous. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
On the upper level, with its wooden ceiling, there is a double bedroom that can be in a double bed or 2 single beds configuration, and that has a skylight that looks onto the roof. The bathroom, complete with shower, has a window that looks out to the exterior. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests and a small WC. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 44 sqm.
A charming apartment on two levels that looks out onto Rua da Restauração. It has a spacious living room with a kitchenette and a small WC. The windows that let in the light of the midday and evening make this a very luminous property. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
On the upper level, there is a double bedroom with a wooden ceiling and a garret that looks onto the roof that can be in a double bed or a 2 single beds configuration. The bathroom is complete with a shower and has a window onto the exterior. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 43 sqm.
A holiday apartment located on the corner of the building with windows looking out onto Rua de Entre Quintas and Rua da Restauração with a large living room and kitchen. The corridor to the bedrooms has windows looking onto the street and a small writing desk.
The apartment has two double bedrooms that can be in a double bed or 2 single beds configuration, that look out over the second level of the quiet internal courtyard. The bathroom is complete with a shower and a window opening onto the exterior.
The orientation of the living room, the corridor and the bathroom means that the mornings are very luminous. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 69 sqm. The terrace measures 7.50 sqm.
The windows of this holiday apartment look out onto the pleasant and tranquil view of the gardens. The apartment has a spacious and attractive living room with a terrace and connects to a large kitchen with windows looking out over the Rua de Entre Quintas. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The apartment has 2 double bedrooms that can be in a double bed or 2 single beds configuration, one of which has windows looking onto the second level of the courtyard, while the other one looks onto the quiet Rua da Restauração. There are two bathrooms, complete with a shower, the one in the master bedroom being ensuite. The living room has a sofa bed for 2 guests.
The western orientation of the kitchen and the bathrooms means that they are very luminous in the morning. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 68 sqm. The terrace measures 7.50 sqm.
This top-floor holiday apartment has windows that look out over the garden area of the building with pleasant and tranquil views of the courtyard and the Arrábida bridge. The living room is spacious and attractive, with exposed ceiling beams and a kitchenette.
There is 1 double bedroom that can be in a double bed or 2 single beds configuration, with windows that look onto the peace and quiet of Rua de Entre Quintas with few passers-by. On the mezzanine floor, with its inclined ceiling and skylights to the south, there are two beds. The bathroom is complete with a shower. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort.
The western orientation of the room means that it is very luminous in the morning. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 49.50 sqm.
Located on the topmost floor of the building, this apartment is blessed with an inviting, partially covered terrace with views of the Arrábida bridge and the mouth of the River Douro where it meets the ocean. The apartment has a spacious living room with a ceiling of partially exposed beams, windows with views of the peaceful Rua de Entre Quintas and a kitchenette.
On the upper mezzanine, there is a double bedroom with a ceiling with skylights with views of the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal. The bathroom is complete with a shower and is lit from the exterior.
The western orientation of the bedroom means that it is very luminous in the morning. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring has an area of 35 sqm. The terrace has an area of 8.8 sqm.
This holiday apartment has a spacious living room with partially exposed beams in the ceiling, windows with views onto the peaceful Rua de Entre Quintas and a kitchenette.
On the upper mezzanine, there is a double bedroom with skylights in the ceiling with views over the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal. The bathroom is complete with a shower and receives light from the exterior.
The western orientation of the bedroom makes it very luminous in the morning. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The wooden flooring provides both warmth and comfort and has an area of 36.00 sqm.
Located on the uppermost floor, this holiday apartment has a spacious living room with exposed beams in the ceiling, windows looking onto the roof and a kitchenette. The wooden floor provides both warmth and comfort.
The apartment has a double bedroom that can be in the double bed or 2 single beds format, with windows that look out onto the peaceful Rua de Entre Quintas with few passers-by and has views onto the Rua da Restauração. On the mezzanine with skylights facing west, there are two beds. The bathroom is complete with a shower.
The orientation towards the west means that the bedroom is very luminous in the morning. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, an espresso coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing/dryer machine.
The original windows of the apartment have been replaced with new wooden ones with double glazing that provides both noise and heat insulation. The total area is 49.50 sqm.
Breakfast is left in the fridge each evening for guests, and at 8 am each morning, we leave fresh bread outside the apartment door. Soap and shampoo are provided (we work with a local brand called Claus Porto), as are bath and pool towels.
The concept of Massarelos House is more about slow living and enjoying the place, not just being out sightseeing in Porto. You can spend an afternoon reading under the lemon tree or having a swim in the pool. In the warmer months, guests can book a two-hour slot at the pool as it’s not big (6 x 2 m).
There is an elevator in the building. A TV is available on request.
In Porto, we have that blend of the old world and a lively contemporary scene. It is considered the architectural capital of Portugal where two of the most prominent architects from the late 20th and early 21st centuries were born. You can visit richly decorated Gothic churches, as well as all the wine cellars along the Douro River.
In my opinion, the Serralves Foundation is not to be missed. It’s a huge property dating from the early 20th century with a museum designed by Alvaro Siza Vieira. It’s a great place to go, with contemporary art exhibitions and gardens to explore. The Casa da Musica is also very interesting.
Surrounding Porto are some very nice towns and cities, including Coimbra, Braga and Guimarães, all of which are around 1.5 hours away. While three nights is perfect for experiencing Porto, with a week or 10 days, you can discover a lot of northern Portugal.
Massarelos House is located around 15 minutes’ walk from the heart of the city in a very quiet area. I like the location a lot because it’s close to everything but not in the centre, which is becoming very busy with tourists. Many of our guests appreciate that they are not stepping out into thousands of tourists.
The heart of Porto is La Ribeira. We are between La Ribeira and the mouth of the river. It’s a residential area, around 50 metres from the river where you’ll find a quay and some restaurants. At the back of the property is a street that feels almost village-like — you don’t feel as though you are in a city.
Massarelos House is located in the foothills and at the top of the hill is one of Porto’s main parks with a crystal palace.
February, March and April are interesting months for garden sightseeing because the camellia trees are in bloom. High season is from April to October and is perfect. During the summer, Porto is quite nice due to its proximity to the sea and beaches. In autumn, you can use Porto as a base for visiting the wine cellars along the Douro River.
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