I’m standing beside José Sampaio, CEO of hotel FeelViana, taking in the stunning Atlantic view while my daughter plays in the sand. José is an all-round waterman who after travelling the world and enjoying many of the best surf spots had a dream to come home and build a hotel that would not only showcase the beauty of Viana do Castelo but also be something completely different in terms of luxury and facilities. Behind us lies his impressive creation, a futuristic wooden structure that sits seamlessly with its natural surroundings. In front, it’s a paddler’s paradise – sunny skies and everything from dead flat water to fun waves. To the south, the white sand backed bay stretches as far as the eye can see, to the north the old city lies with its historic buildings keeping watch on our shoulder. As a location, it’s hard to not be seduced by its charm. I ask José what inspired the name of his hotel, FeelViana. I expect a long answer, a chance for a CEO to extol and praise his project of passion but in typically relaxed Portuguese fashion he merely waves his hand from north to south, pointing to the medieval architecture of the city, the glistening sea and inspiring vistas. You don’t need to sell it, it sells itself.
