Pousada de Viana do Castelo

This hotel is like it´s cut from an Agatha Christie novel. It´s about 100 years old with a grand lobby with high ceilings. Situated on top of a hill overlooking Viana do Castelo where the only things there are the hotel and the famous church. Therefore it´s not within walking distance from the town. You have to take the funicular or a taxi to get to the town. The view from our room (and the hotel) was simply amazing. Pool area was nice, with showers. The breakfast was outstanding. Staff were helpful and nice and specially our friend Deryk who was an amazing help. Viana do Castelo is a charming town with many great seafood restaurants. "Praia de Afife" beach is recomended.

Room was a bit dated and in need of some refurbishment, but was still amazing, hence the view from the room. Air con. pretty weak but didn´t bother us since it doesn´t get too hot in this area.

The room was large, very comfortable, quiet and decorated in an early fifties style, although we did not have great views. Staff were extremely helpful. Breakfast was very good and of the same high standard as breakfasts at Spanish Paradors. Before the weather changed we managed a swim in the excellent swimming pool. We knew when we booked that the location was on top of a hill, outside the town. Because of weather, work commitments and a car race on the hill we did not visit the town from the hotel but ate in the hotel. The food was of decent size portions and good quality ingredients, however, presentation and flavours lacked finesse. This was our first trip to a Pousada and we have visited many Spanish Paradors so comparisons are inevitable. Overall, an enjoyable stay

Nothing

The breakfast had a really good selection. However as with all buffet style breakfast the ‘hot’ food was tepid and the scrambled eggs taste like a packet mix. It would have been nice if they offered cook to order eggs.

The food offering generally was a bit disappointing. Appreciate they are trying to keep to traditional food however the menu was limited and a shame it was the same offering for lunch and evening meals. The bar only offered ham or cheese sandwiches, more options for snacks/ lunch would have been great. We took the Funicular into town one evening to get a better choice of food and a taxi from the station back up the hill!

The view was amazing. The room was very classic and french style. Had dinner downstair in the restaurant and it was nice. I had the most amazing last night in Portugal.

I booked a taxi from hotel reception but taxi driver couldn't drop me off at the correct place. I gave a full address and he refused to look up on GPS. He said he does not have one, and asked me to look up on my phone. I had to guide him with my phone map. He went around and around the place...He kept denied he does not speak good English. I missed the boat and paid more than what I was told from hotel receptionist. Very disappointing experience.

Loved the property’s location and views. All the staff at the hotel were keen to serve, very helpful, obliging and kind from the reception staff, through restaurant and cleaning staff. Nothing was too much trouble for any staff member. Loved the frequent change of crisp bed linen and daily change of bathroom towels. Fresh fruit provided in the room.

I would only give the bed mattress 1 out of 10 (far too hard). My wife though gave the mattress 5 out of 10. A major problem at the hotel for any Client staying for more than 2 nights is the restaurant menu which is fixed and never changes! This should be advised on the hotel website, surely. My wife and I, sister and brother in law therefore ate out 8 of the 10 days we stayed at the hotel. We spent on average to include drinks daily; circa €200 per evening - a loss of revenue to the hotel certainly. During the 10 day stay, we encountered much noise, screaming and shouting below the hotel’s patio and drum rolls, seemingly caused by teenagers. It seemed worse on weekend nights but not limited to these nights particularly.

The view from the room was absolutely out of this world, the small balcony had two chairs from which you could gaze over the city, the river, the coastline and of course the wonderful Cathedral. I have seen few views like it and the hotel is worth staying in JUST for that alone.

The hotel lacked atmosphere, somehow the spacious entrance, the marble and the sofas so precisely arranged in the lounge felt a bit cold. It WAS quiet (mid season) so maybe that was part of it. The dinner was good, beautifully presented and the views were, again, incredible - but it wasn't amazing food.

We were delighted with the location of the hotel and were blown away with the spectacular far reaching views from the double window aspect, and from the balcony of our room (No 12). The hotel was spacious and well appointed in every aspect. We dined in the hotel restaurant on each of our three nights stay and were very impressed with the cuisine quality and with the service. The staff could not have been nicer, from reception, the bar attendant, the restaurant staff and the cleaners. Needless to say we would love to return one day.

There was nothing to dislike or anything we would want to improve.

We only did an overnight stay due to time constraints, but we will absolutely be back! The hotel is classically decorated with beautiful, expensive, and comfortable furnishings. It is very clean and well-kept, albeit with a slightly dated color scheme. We had a lovely dinner in the on-site restaurant and were treated to an amuse-bouche courtesy of the chef. The meal was delicious and reasonably priced. The staff and atmosphere were superb. After dinner, we sat in the lounge with a glass of port while our children played billiards in a separate lounge area. The whole evening was perfect. The continental style breakfast was another fantastic experience- with mimosas, bite-sized pastel de natas, fresh fruits, cheeses, meats, and wonderfully fluffy cinnamon French toast! Our rooms, as mentioned in the title, had unparalleled views. We are a family of six so we had the family room as well as a double right next door. The rooms are very large and comfortable with wonderful amenities, even down to a chocolate on our pillow! This hotel is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the food, hospitality, and sites of northern Portugal. Even though we live a short distance away, I can absolutely see us returning there for a night or two of pampering.

Absolutely nothing

This is a lovely hotel with excellent breakfast choices and evening meals. It was easy to drive down to Viana do Castelo to find restaurants and cafes. There were many areas to find walks as well, and the location was good to visit other towns and villages.

I found nothing to complain about.

This is a stunning property and location with a lot to do in the vicinity. The staff were excellent and a special note to thank Sergio on the front desk he did so much to make us feel comfortable and welcome. We would return. Very good breakfast.

Dinner served in beautiful surroundings but the menu could be adjusted to reflect regional standards.