Most vacations are about the destination. At Torel Avantgarde in Porto, Portugal, it’s the opposite. It’s not about what the city has to offer, but what the building represents. Here, art rules supreme and the ultimate experience is found inside the walls of the hotel where each room is a masterpiece dedicated to the greatest artists of the past.

The hotel’s design is reminiscent of the 1930s and ’40s during the artistic movement known as “Avant-Garde.”  Meaning the foremost part of an army, the word avant-garde originates from the French military expression “vanguard.” In other words, the people leading the way. In the art world, it is used to describe a piece that is innovative, unusual and distinctive. As the first five-star boutique built in Porto, the Torel Avantgarde is one of a kind in design and history.

The concept of the fourth Torel Boutique grew from the minds of the three founding owners. Joao Tavares, Barbara Ott and Ingrid Koeck wanted to create something new and significant. Drawing inspiration from the phrase meaning exceptional and original, the trio landed on an idea. Torel Avantgarde is a place where art isn’t just a passing compliment, but the center of attention.

Hiring four artists from Portugal — Jorge Curval, Frederico Draw, Daniel Eime, Paulo Neves — and the inimitable interior designer Isabel Sa Nogueira, the hotel quickly became an image of vibrancy and expression. The interior design highlights the creativity of avant-garde artists such as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Wolfgang Mozart. The hotel also showcases the ingenuity of local artists through various exhibitions.

At Torel Avantgarde, guests are in the heart and mind of the artists, able to look, touch and breathe in the surrounding art. From the gardens to the restaurant to the rooms, the experience is an immersive one ready to tantalize the mind and stimulate the senses.

Each of the hotel’s 31 rooms and 18 suites is named after a famous avant-garde artist designed with its namesake’s personality, work, and vision. Artists range in fields such as art, design, literature, architecture and science. The classic rooms, featuring standard hotel amenities, are dedicated to artists such as Nina Simone, Fernando Pessoa, Columbano and Joseph Beuys. All rooms are equipped with a minibar Nespresso machine, Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Superior rooms and suites above classic feature a balcony. Deluxe rooms feature a balcony and an impressive view of the river Duoro.

With 10 categories, the Royal Suite and Maisonette top the list in opulence with designs dedicated to the greatest artists of the movement. The Royal Suite offers two balconies and a view of the river. The room honors Leonardo Da Vinci. A large rendition of Da Vinci’s famous “Mona Lisa,” painted behind the queen-sized bed, is the main attraction.

A step above the Royal Suite is Torel Avantgarde’s most luxurious space, the Maisonette. The large space includes a balcony, jacuzzi and heated outdoor pool. It is adorned with the artistic accomplishments of Sir Alfred Hitchcock. An English film director, producer and screenwriter, Hitchcock is one of the most widely studied filmmakers in cinema history. The design of the Maisonette includes a film strip of Hitchcock’s greatest hits with scenes from movies such as “Vertigo” and “Psycho.”

Leaving the bedroom, the art experience continues at Tenro by Digby. Torel Avantgarde’s restaurant moves away from world-renowned artists to focus on local talent and delicacies. The Digby restaurant combines art and food from Portugal. Focusing on the richness of the local cuisine, Digby’s partnered with Jose Gordon’s El Capricho project to serve what is known as some of the best meat in the world.

Featured menu items include the aged beef sirloin and working cow Chuleton, which is a single, large, on-the-bone ribeye steak matured for more than 30 days. The restaurant offers an executive menu as well as brunch. Tea time is also served daily in the Flower Room where guests can enjoy the outdoors with an interior garden, large windows and walls covered in bright red and pink roses.

After enjoying a traditional Portuguese meal, guests can unwind in the Calla Wellness and Spa. With specialized health and beauty therapists. Experts are available for multiple treatments including facials, massages, make-up and hair services and mani-pedis. The spa specializes in using organic products in their treatments choosing Phyt’s and Oliofora as their main brands.

Phyt’s is a certified organic and eco-conscious skincare brand used in all of Calla’s facial and body treatments. Oliofora, a brand from Portugal, is an agro-industrial business that concentrates on using raw materials from the countryside. Pure oils, luxury massage oils and essential oils are mixed by the spa’s therapists before every use. Guests can also use the full-service gym including yoga and fitness classes.

As Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Torel Avantgarde accomplishes this in every way. Everything from the spa and restaurant to the rooms and hallways is an immersive art experience. Here, guests do not just view art, but become a part of it.