Hotel Pestana Palacio do Freixo, Porto

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

Beautiful building and friendly staff wonderful breakfast

A little distance from town centre

This hotel is beautiful, a palace with a gorgeous pool on the Douro River. Both the indoor and outdoor pools were warm, holiday water! A 25 minute walk along the river to the Dom Luis bridge. We also stayed in a hotel near the bridge so it was lovely to have the 2 different experiences. The restaurant in this hotel is superb, we ate their 2 nights in a row and I rarely do this, I usually prefer to eat out but I had to go back tot his restaurant as it was so good. The breakfast is superb also.

The staff weren't overly helpful. The restaurant staff though were superb as was the concierge. More the girls behind the desk were pretty average which is a shame as this hotel is magnificent.

amazing hotel overall. Location beautiful. Hotel shuttle perfect for getting into Porto.

Overall lighting far too dark, especially in the bedrooms.

Everything was excellent

Nothing

A beautiful hotel just outside of Porto. The only downside is we didn’t stay longer.

Excellent breakfast and pool facilities

checkout was noon but we were unable to change into travelling clothes other than in the spa !

Staff were amazing, location next to the river is beautiful, the decoration, the food at the restaurant was very tasty.

The water pressure of the shower in the room was very low.

Luxury hotel with a wonderful walk back in history experience. A mini hall of mirrors which was magnificent and rivals Versaille. With, Wonderful views over the Douro lake.

Beautifully maintained hotel right on the river! We had an excellent stay. Breakfast was good and you can’t beat the views from the pool!

The bar was out of several things each day, they should re-stock more frequently.

The swimming pools. Breakfast.

Too distant from center. The region around is poor.

Location, outside pool, room view, breakfast, very clean, free parking, spa Free upgrade room with river view Fresh port wine as welcome drink

Sometimes they could not give good service at breakfast area and forgot something

Spectacular setting, building and decor Historical content as good as you can get Views unparalleled

1. TV did not work and no reply from reception 2. Bath took 20 minutes to fill and shower rather slippery 3. Shower has shower gel and shampoo but no conditioner, the bath has conditioner but no shower gel and shampoo!! 4. Normal movies have to be paid for - really surprising and penny pinching 5. No berries for breakfast - standard fare in all 5 star hotels I stay at 6. No plain yogurt only strawberry flavoured. Not exactly gourmet !!

Beautifully restored old palace on the river. Nice places to sit outside to enjoy the views. You can walk to the Pont do Luis in about 25 minutes

Beautiful hotel and lovely position along the rivet

Had 2 weddings in the 3 days we were staying. Hotel became over run with guests at times which took away the relaxation feel we were hoping for . Staff were stretched.

Service was top notch. The grounds are in excellent condition. The hotel is stunning.

Nothing. It all was on point.

The Spa staff were exceptional and provided a quality neck massage. Restaurant service staff were very attentive and the room was a delight, as was the sauna, turkish bath and indoor pool. Food was delicious at the restaurant. The decor is exceptional.

Everything was delightful.

Absolutely stunning. Wonderful service, incredible location, amazing facilities. It doesn’t get better!

History

Loud music from wedding reception all night long

The staff was amazing!!!

The location was beautiful!!!

Excellent property, very close to City Centet

Service was exceptional

There is a magnificent view of Douro's River, and this antique Palace is a unique destination, with superb team attendance and a wealthy breakfast. I love the hotel, and it is super recommended. On top of that, it is easy to Park - no charging - which is extremely rare in Porto.

Rooms

The air conditioning was not strong enough

The location and privacy were excellent, especially as Porto is such a busy city. The spaciousness of the buildings and grounds added to the ambiance.

It looks like the hotel was understaffed, the ones that were there were very busy and sometimes there was a wait for service. The staff however were very good.

location and service exceptional views.

The rooms need more facilities like drawers and spaces to unpack.

A perfect stay. Room with stunning view. Wonderful Breakfast, gourmet dinner, Indoor pool, spa...