Hotel Pestana Palacio do Freixo, Porto

What I like the most was having a hotel with SPA, and indoor swimming pool while in the center of a city.

Having to order coffee during the breakfast, because I would like to do my own mix, ratio of milk vs. coffee

Fantastic historical building in a great location. The food and service were both excellent.

It’s beautiful and we find the rooms restful and very well appointed. We had a stunning view on this stay! While you are a bit of a distance from the center it is quiet and the parking has been a real bonus for us. Ubers were cheap and readily available.

We liked everything, the room, the dinner the breakfast the staff and the price.

The location and especially the view are stunning! Beautiful sunsets and views over the Douro. The palace where the lobby, the restaurants and bars are is amazing, feels like a jump in time.

Rooms are not too big and there were some minor issues, however the management went far beyond expectations to cope with everything. Kudos to Pestana’s team. Need a Uber to get to the city centre, but the calm location offsets for this.

This hotel exceeded my expectations. The service was excellent, breakfast was amazing, gorgeous view and only a short distance into the centre.

was a dream

nothing to complain about

The hotel was beautiful and the rooms were comfortable. The breakfast was delicious. We also enjoyed the spa.

Some of the staff at breakfast were not so friendly.

Friendly staff and a great breakfast buffet each morning, open to 11am which I appreciated! Hotel shuttle into town was very convenient. Would be great if it was available for more than 2 journeys through the day. Spa was also great and the treatment was awesome too.

Short on available dinner bookings which was disappointing -

Clean and spacious

Dim lighting

Amazing atmosphere , easy to get to city . Personnel made many special arrangements.

A little hard mattress…but bed was huge

This is a stunning hotel, the interiors are just gorgeous and the facilities are excellent. Also a fabulous breakfast!

We booked a triple room for 3 adults and they just added a camp bed to a twin room, the camp bed was uncomfortable and too small for an adult, we did let reception know and they said they would look into but never did anything.

The staff was extremely helpful, friendly, and professional. We felt very comfortable during our stay.

The shower could be better. The water pressure was low, and the nozzle needs to be better.

Breakfast was amazing and the hotel is a short taxi or shuttle bus ride to the city centre. Staff were very helpful and friendly.

Thought the dinner menu was limited and expensive for what they were serving.

We liked the combination of historic palace with the rooms in the adjacent restored factory building, all very tasteful. The staff were very friendly and professional, the rooms were very spacious , the food was nice and the breakfast buffet was just excellent. The palace itself is just outstanding, given its age it looks very well maintained; as it was winter we could not use the outdoor area but the location with the park-like garden and the outdoor infinity edge pool right by the river is very special; if you want to go for a river walk you can access a walking trail right from the hotel.

The room was a bit gloomy due to the somewhat "discrete" lighting. As it was raining and windy it would be nice if the walkway from one building to the other could be also covered on the side.

Very nice high end hotel in the old palacio, incredible breakfast buffet

Hotel was a little away from the city center(30 minutes walk), thought it would be right in the city center

The historical building is what makes the property incredible. Our room was very good, beds incredible, and the river view was just gorgeous. Toilet large enough and comfortable for 2. Staff is super helpful and very nice, mostly at the restaurant and housekeeping. Free parking is also a great perk.

1) room service comes with an extra charge, every time you order something — to be honest this is not a 5 star service; and it’s not a 24 h service, so forget that early breakfast if you are flying early in the morning or that late dinner when you arrive after 11:00 pm (which was our case). 2) spa facilities are very small and claustrophobic — very small rooms and a super tiny reception; giving fancy names to massages does not justify the extremely expensive and overrated price (for what you get). 3) breakfast room is like an open floor plan communicating with the kitchen only separated by a thin wall, which makes the room super noisy, i.e. you can hear everything from the kitchen …..there are beautiful rooms on the ground level (away from the kitchen) that could be used for breakfast but these are closed. 4)restaurant is gorgeous; food is good but normal — does not justify the prices (i.e. overpriced)

Amazing property, that makes a magical family vacation. Great staff! Great location!

Electric car chargers could be faster and closer to the main parking.

Amazing location. Grounds nicely groomed. Staff are welcoming, friendly and accommodating. Great room(free upgrade) we were so busy and didn’t get a chance to enjoy the spa

Loved everything

The service and friendliness is spot on. Great selection at breakfast. Great outdoor swimming pool. Lovely decor and building. It was very relaxing!

Unfortunately the Sauna was not hot enough each time we used it.

A SPACIOUS ROOM WITH A FIRST RATE VISTA SITUATED ON THE TOP FLOOR OF ANNEX. THE BED WAS HUGE AND THE LINEN WAS TOP CLASS. THE BATHROOM WAS WELL EQUIPPED AND STOCKED WITH TOP QUALITY TOWELS. BUT A LITTLE DATED FOR A FIVE STAR. THE LIVINGROOM WAS WELL FURNISHED. BREAFAST AT THE HOTEL WAS PLENTIFUL AND GOOD. THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD SERVED DURING THE DAY WAS ALSO TOP RATE.

THE ROOM COLOUR SCHEME WAS VERY DOUR AND VERY LOW KEY. ROOM LIGHTING WAS NOT THE BEST. THIS ALSO GOES FOR THE AREAS OUTSIDE THE ROOM.

Location scenic and close to Porto Outdoor swimming os ace Indoor spa and swimming v good

Layout takes a bit of getting used to

Had an amazing holiday in Porto and at Pestana, really recommend!

Charming

Location. Isolated

staff were great and the room was very comfortable

shower was not adjustable and very weak, my partner wh is a size 12 fitted In the bath just, I did not room service made a few errors with our order

Location. Building, view, staff friendly

Dark rooms, lack of daily clean, dangeours bath tub no handles , very slow checkout

Good riverside location. Approximately 50 minute pleasant walk into city .Ample car parking. Magnificent old building. Good food, superb breakfast. Great waiting staff.

The bedroom, whilst spacious was very gloomy and badly lit. Bedside lamps whilst very stylish were style over substance! Candles may have provided better light! No make up light in bathroom. Basin pop up waste not working. Shower waste partially blocked preventing use of shower on full. Plastic Bath plug and chain were detached! Bar and dining room were overwhelmed with two coach loads of guests and both rooms were grossly under staffed…..Very noisy making it a very unpleasant atmosphere. Waiting Staff trying their very best to cope. Upon arrival It would have been helpful to have been told that the hotel provided a courtesy service until the city! We found this service by accident. Accessing your room from reception was tedious involving two lifts. Weeds growing on balcony…the glass of which needed cleaning .

Beautifully renovated castle commanding great views of the Douro River. Located a short taxi ride from the historic centre with the benefit of a wonderful pool to end the days sight seeing. Would recommend and would chose to stay there again.

Nothing. Some may find the style a bit shabby chic but we loved it and it fits with the Porto vibe.

Lovely view, beautiful hotel. Nice pool. Nice breakfast.

The rooms building is extremely dark, you have to consider people with bad eyesight...at least double the ultra dim light! The way both buildings are connected is a labyrinth.

The room was quite large and nicely decorated with a beautiful view of the River

Overhead lighting in room could be improved

Absolutely wonderful pool area, spacious and every bit as pretty as the photos.

At busy times, it does take some time to drive to the city centre.

Everything!poool spa areas, breakfast and room.

Everything was great!

Lovely hotel, great pools and facilities. Both pools heated

Breakfast was inside eating only. Would benefit from outdoor space. Order was slow / lost on the first day. Was rectified.

Service was first class and the setting is exceptional, we enjoyed the peace and quiet nature of the hotel

Nothing too add

Pestana’s selection of the building is admirable, as it’s amazing, and gives true sense of staying in an old palace…decorations, the pool, all and all makes a different experience.. Breakfast was perfect, the rooms clean, and frequently cleaned but with few extra touches which again was aimed at giving the best experience e.g., leaving TWG camomile tea bags on the bed after cleaning…

When we reached, there was no bell boy to help with luggage! The concierge was sick!two days in a row! As usual short in staff! One lady shows you around, offers you help with luggage…tries to help with concierge absence! Worst part was them missing the birthday of my daughter, informed before and agreed for a set up (partially paid)…this was more because of an individual who apparently missed my response and also decided to check if we are telling the truth and somebody’s birthday is there or not!!! Pure lack of experience, that’s why I did not want the rating to be impacted by misbehaviour of a staff…who instead of apologizing, points figure and even questions our planning ahead for birthday, with a paid set up!!!!!! Instead of saying sorry, missed it, will make it up, done! Anyways, lessons learned, all is good at the hotel, just don’t rely on guest relations to remember guest requests!

Location

Dinner

Breakfast was excellent and plentiful but they had to ask what a white coffee was? The outside space is lovely. The toilets were screened by frosted glass so that was amusing. Shuttle was used once so that was also good to get into the town.

The pillows were awful for all of us. They left arrival cake which was inedible for two days in our room. There was no shampoo except in shower dispenser but two conditioners on the sink. They stated 25 euro per person for any expenses during stay but on leaving I was told they had taken 500 ! which of course was refunded. The bar staff were incredibly slow and then one emptied a tray onto the floor and covered my daughter in drinks meaning she had to change with no apology from the waiter and my friend had to scoop up lemon and ice from carpet before a waiter arrived with a broom with no cloths for the rest of us, this was not what I expect from a five star which we frequent on holidays.

Beautiful location and excellent facilities and service Classical concert one evening was a fabulous bonus.

More satisfaction than paid, will be back for sure.

Be careful of mosquitoes during night

Everything wonderful Beautiful palace Lovely rooms Nice pool Excellent restaurant Fabulous staff

Nothing

Loved the swimming pool (indoor and out) Room was lovely, well appointed and very comfortable Staff were welcoming and helpful

The architecture is splendid, but the lightdesign especially in the chapel is really a pity (different CRI), the devices are before the faces of the angels, …

The price is to much if e.g. you compare it with the Pousada Pestana in Amares. There are no books or other info about the place and its architecture, … Also no info about what to do, to see in the city. No info about public transport, as the location is difficult to reach.

The historic public rooms are exceptional. The gardens and pool area overlooking the water are a prime location and well maintained.

We were upgraded to a Junior Suite which was larger than many apartments. The views of the river were spectacular! The service was 10/10, and the breakfast was divine! Check out the bar and the pool area as well!

nothing

The staff and facilities were exceptional. The service was impeccable. A real five star experience

The location was great, on the north bank of the Douro river, close to Porto’s CBD.

A small gripe: the pillows on the bed were oversized (too puffy) and tough to put your head against and sleep. Also, the restaurant could have had a non-dairy milk option on display. Not just lactose-free, but oat, almond, or soya (plant-based) milk options.

Beautiful hotel. The rooms, the pool, the design everything was amazing. Is a bit far away from the city center and the shuttle they offer is not working so often, just every 2 hours. But overall great experience, I would definitely go back.

The shuttle schedule

Staff were very friendly but not enough of them. No one to take our luggage when we arrived, long wait at the bar for service, dirty towels and trays of food at the pool left uncleared so no free beds. Staff were quick to help but they are short-staffed

More staff

Exceptional service, beautiful architecture, immaculate gardens, amazing river views.

A little far away from city center

The place is absolutely beautiful with stunning views and the staff is very nice and helpful

The pillows are a bit uncomfortable