I chose this hotel for a solo Christmas staycation, hoping to enjoy comfort and tranquility amidst the beautiful scenery of Porto. Unfortunately, the first impression felt more like a shrewd business deal than a warm welcome, which greatly ruined the experience.
The main problem occurred upon check-in. The room I was assigned was almost identical to the promotional pictures. When I expressed my disappointment, the front desk told me, "Yes, this is one of the rooms with the worst view," and his immediate solution was a paid upgrade. He showed me another room in the same category, with a decent view, but the bathroom had an odor. He then informed me that since I was staying for four nights, the €30 per night upgrade option was unavailable, and I had to pay €60 per night for a "double upgrade." The hotel wasn't actually full, but he explained it by saying "rooms need to be reserved for holidays." From that moment on, I was extremely disappointed; the entire interaction set a hard-selling tone from the start. Furthermore, as a wine-themed hotel, my room didn't even have wine glasses; I had to ask for them separately.
This isn't to say everything was bad. The breakfast was excellent, and the spa facilities were truly first-rate. My (upgraded) room also had a stunning view. Most of the staff were very attentive. These factors are what kept my rating from dropping lower.
However, based on my experience staying in luxury hotels in Portugal and other countries, this was the first time I encountered such a rigid, revenue-driven check-in process. True luxury should feel seamless and generous, with staff empowered to create joy for guests. Here, every step seemed focused on maximizing profits. It's a place with luxurious amenities, but in my experience, it lacks the soul of true hospitality.
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