Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel

We followed the signs across the Dom Luis I bridge to find ourselves blocked from approaching the hotel. In itself, this can of course happen (think of Venice), but you would expect the hotel to at least warn you of it in advance. Especially when it is supposed to be a five star one. None of that here. And to be honest: a hotel of this category should just have a solution for its guests, eg. valet or shuttle service or limited access rights to the area.... We called the number on the website, which appeared to be a general Pestana HQ one. After being redirected, we didn't find the staff very helpful at all: 'That is correct, the hotel is in a pedestrian area, but there is a parking lot across the bridge.' We ended up finding a spot in a nearby street and walked to the hotel with our luggage (as this is a two-week trip, needless to say, it isn't a walk you look forward to). At arrival, three employees were behind the reception desk. They were welcoming and also managed to somewhat relieve our disappointment. One of them said: 'you have one of my favorite rooms'. This of course created quite the expectations, which weren't at all met. Our room was on the sixth floor, with the elevator only going up to the fifth. There are only two rooms on the sixth floor. Oddly enough, I couldn't seem to be able to book these online (hotel website, tripadvisor, Booking.com,....). Reason may simply be that these rooms serve as back-up for when the hotel is full. While I admit the room offered amazing views over the Douro river, it was also very outdated. I had the impression that the hotel had undergone refurbishments (judging from the restaurant and the pictures of other rooms online), but ours had clearly not been taken care of (there was even a sign for 'Pestana Carlton' with four stars). As the room was just underneath the roof, it was also constantly hot (when air conditioning doesn't work without the room card, it can't be cooled while guests are out....). Coming back to the parking situation, we were directed to a public parking nearby, with which the hotel would have an arrangement. The staff did say that there's always a queue and there's a second one with which the hotel does not have any arrangement in case we didn't want to wait '1.5' hours. We indeed saw the ridiculously long line of cars trying to enter the parking lot and decided to just try again later in the evening. Around 6, we didn't have any issue driving in and found a spot at -4. Unfortunately, the parking lot doesn't have an elevator, so we could already rejoice the prospect of walking or luggage down to -4. Checking out we saw a 1 euro 'donation' charge. Surprisingly enough, the receptionist didn't explain it, so I asked. Apparently, Pestana donates 1 euro for each euro donated by a guest. He said he could remove it. I give quite a lot to charity and still prefer to choose the charity I give to myself. Pestana seems to simply trick its guests into financing its CSR efforts. Doubtful practice.

Our room on the top floor was very hard to reach without elevator. As to the service it was inexistent (e.g. no proper help during check-out, only one person at the reception desk, no information to have access to the pedestrian zone just in front of the hotel - so we had to cross the historical center with our luggage to get to the car, etc.). Also the room and bathroom definitely need to be refurbished urgently! It is still difficult to understand how they are a five star hotel!!!!!

Outstanding location in the Ribeira district. Adjacent to river, dining, bars. Since it at the base of the district, steep inclines to walk up and certain traffic is limited at times. Clean hotel and great service with a friendly staff.

We visited this city and hotel for the first time and decided to stay after reading former reviews. When we arrived we was checked in very quickly, offered a welcome port and showed to our room by one of the staff who was very pleasant. The room we got was on the side where the alleyway is and the view is non- existent as you are only ten feet away from the neighbours living opposite who can see straight in your room were it not for the net curtains. My husband fell ill the first night and the staff could not do enough for him, right from the night manager, cleaners, maintenance and the day staff, of which the illness lasted a few days. We did have to ask for a kettle and tea making to be sent to our room and couldn't understand why it wasn't in there in the first place and also that there was now small packets of milk of which you get a small jug. The safe is free which is a bonus. We found the breakfast for a city hotel very nice indeed with a good array of food and the omelettes are very nice as well. The downside is that it seems to take a long time to get your table cleared and also at times get tea or coffee at your table first thing. We found the hotel was always clean throughout and all the staff good as well. The hotel is placed in a very nice position but Porto is very hilly with lots of steps and the resort is not most definitely for people who struggle to walk any distance or in a wheelchair. On the river we tried a cruise for 50 minutes and it was also good. A tip is that you can buy your tickets from the tourist information blue van as well as the stalls which is most times quicker. We also went on the road train round the city with the wine tasting and vineyard making centre visit which was also excellent and good value for 10 euros each. Would I go again...... yes we would but for only 3-4 days and more than likely stay in the same hotel.

I love the fact that it's next to Douro River and close to many great restaurants. Staff were friendly. I had paid more for a river view room and it did not disappoint. I could watch the sun rising up and a great view of the bridge during sunset. The best part was the great selection they had during breakfast. The quality of the food were great as well. The interiors were a little outdated and showing it's age. I highly recommend this hotel.