The four-pearl Vila Gale Coimbra is a solid option in the commercial heart of Coimbra, overlooking the Mondego River, and a 15-minute walk from the historic part of the city. Most of the 229 rooms have large terraces and modern bathrooms, plus flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes come standard. Quality features include an attractive spa with treatment areas, hot tub, and an indoor pool, a large, well-equipped gym, and an outdoor pool. Guests appreciate the free buffet breakfast, served in a contemporary restaurant. Guests looking for a hotel closer to the center of town might want to check out the Tivoli Coimbra Hotel.
The four-pearl Vila Gale Coimbra is a solid option in the commercial heart of Coimbra, overlooking the Mondego River, and a 15-minute walk from the historic part of the city. Most of the 229 rooms have large terraces and modern bathrooms, plus flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes come standard. Quality features include an attractive spa with treatment areas, hot tub, and an indoor pool, a large, well-equipped gym, and an outdoor pool. Guests appreciate the free buffet breakfast, served in a contemporary restaurant. Guests looking for a hotel closer to the center of town might want to check out the Tivoli Coimbra Hotel.
The four-and-a-half pearl Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas certainly looks the part of classic luxury. A historic palace across the river from the center of Coimbra, the hotel is opulently decorated, with high and intricately molded ceilings, brightly painted wood panelling, crystal chandeliers, and antique furniture, as well as rambling grounds with the ruins of a Gothic chapel and a Zen garden. The property is attached to a nine-hole golf course, with a putting and a chipping green, as well as a wing housing a moodily decorated spa and more rooms. The 52 rooms range from traditionally elegant to sleek and modern, and all have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tubs. Those looking to stay closer to Coimbra’s center might want to try the Vila Gàle Coimbra, although it lacks the luxurious feeling found here.
The four-and-a-half pearl Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas certainly looks the part of classic luxury. A historic palace across the river from the center of Coimbra, the hotel is opulently decorated, with high and intricately molded ceilings, brightly painted wood panelling, crystal chandeliers, and antique furniture, as well as rambling grounds with the ruins of a Gothic chapel and a Zen garden. The property is attached to a nine-hole golf course, with a putting and a chipping green, as well as a wing housing a moodily decorated spa and more rooms. The 52 rooms range from traditionally elegant to sleek and modern, and all have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tubs. Those looking to stay closer to Coimbra’s center might want to try the Vila Gàle Coimbra, although it lacks the luxurious feeling found here.
This upscale 21-room boutique features restored 1920s Art Nouveau style and simple, elegant decor in a hillside location with easy access to both golfing and forest designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rooms are spacious and polished, outfitted with bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, central heating, and kettles, but safes require a fee. Suites have kitchenettes, balconies, and fireplaces. Notable on-site features include afternoon tea, a delicious restaurant serving buffet breakfast, snacks, and a la carte dinner, a heated indoor pool with frosted glass ceiling and access to the gardens, free access to the Vila Porto Mare facilities, and exclusive access to Santo da Serra Golf Course. Note that there are no bar or AC. If walking and golfing aren't main priorities, it's worth considering the cliffside Quinta Do Furao Hotel, where you'll find unbelievable views and a rustic-elegant style.
This upscale 21-room boutique features restored 1920s Art Nouveau style and simple, elegant decor in a hillside location with easy access to both golfing and forest designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rooms are spacious and polished, outfitted with bathrobes, free Wi-Fi, central heating, and kettles, but safes require a fee. Suites have kitchenettes, balconies, and fireplaces. Notable on-site features include afternoon tea, a delicious restaurant serving buffet breakfast, snacks, and a la carte dinner, a heated indoor pool with frosted glass ceiling and access to the gardens, free access to the Vila Porto Mare facilities, and exclusive access to Santo da Serra Golf Course. Note that there are no bar or AC. If walking and golfing aren't main priorities, it's worth considering the cliffside Quinta Do Furao Hotel, where you'll find unbelievable views and a rustic-elegant style.
The three-pearl Holiday Inn Porto Gaia is a pleasant business hotel south of the Douro River, in Vila Nova de Gaia. While common areas are contemporary, the 179 rooms are plain, traditional, and dated, though they include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Some have great views over Porto. It's a 10-minute taxi ride to the Ribeira area, and the Joao de Deus Metro station is a 15-minute walk away. There are 15 different meeting rooms and a 24-hr business center for business guests, plus a spa and hydrotherapy pool (for a fee). This is a decent value within striking distance of central Porto, but those wanting more historic charm within walking distance of central Porto might consider the Castelo de Santa Caterina, which is just a bit pricier.
The three-pearl Holiday Inn Porto Gaia is a pleasant business hotel south of the Douro River, in Vila Nova de Gaia. While common areas are contemporary, the 179 rooms are plain, traditional, and dated, though they include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Some have great views over Porto. It's a 10-minute taxi ride to the Ribeira area, and the Joao de Deus Metro station is a 15-minute walk away. There are 15 different meeting rooms and a 24-hr business center for business guests, plus a spa and hydrotherapy pool (for a fee). This is a decent value within striking distance of central Porto, but those wanting more historic charm within walking distance of central Porto might consider the Castelo de Santa Caterina, which is just a bit pricier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center pleases on many fronts. Its beachside location, seawater swimming pools, vast array of recreational activities and extensive spa facilities makes the hotel feel more like a resort. However, the style here is fairly plain and can look dated in many places, which is a bit of a letdown overall. There are extensive business facilities, including a heliport, and a huge array of meeting rooms with Atlantic Ocean views. More than two-thirds of rooms also have ocean views and balconies, and all rooms have free Wi-Fi plus air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. For a stay closer to Espinho -- home to much of the local action -- try Hotel Praiagolfe, which has a better sand beach for swimming, but no outdoor pool.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center pleases on many fronts. Its beachside location, seawater swimming pools, vast array of recreational activities and extensive spa facilities makes the hotel feel more like a resort. However, the style here is fairly plain and can look dated in many places, which is a bit of a letdown overall. There are extensive business facilities, including a heliport, and a huge array of meeting rooms with Atlantic Ocean views. More than two-thirds of rooms also have ocean views and balconies, and all rooms have free Wi-Fi plus air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. For a stay closer to Espinho -- home to much of the local action -- try Hotel Praiagolfe, which has a better sand beach for swimming, but no outdoor pool.
This 83-room luxury boutique hotel sits on the south side of the Douro River, in the historic port cellar district, with beautiful views overlooking Porto and the river. Unfortunately, this means that Porto's attractions aren't within walking distance, but the plus side is its peaceful, less touristy atmosphere. Classic English interior design adds to this hotel's charm, while the exterior resembles a picturesque Portuguese villa. Rooms echo the mixed English and Portuguese theme, and there are balconies with views in every room. There are also stunning indoor and outdoor pools, a full gym, and Porto's only Michelin-star restaurant. All of these features give the Intercontinental Porto -- across the river -- plenty to worry about. The atmosphere there is equally polished and historic, though it's not as intimate.
This 83-room luxury boutique hotel sits on the south side of the Douro River, in the historic port cellar district, with beautiful views overlooking Porto and the river. Unfortunately, this means that Porto's attractions aren't within walking distance, but the plus side is its peaceful, less touristy atmosphere. Classic English interior design adds to this hotel's charm, while the exterior resembles a picturesque Portuguese villa. Rooms echo the mixed English and Portuguese theme, and there are balconies with views in every room. There are also stunning indoor and outdoor pools, a full gym, and Porto's only Michelin-star restaurant. All of these features give the Intercontinental Porto -- across the river -- plenty to worry about. The atmosphere there is equally polished and historic, though it's not as intimate.