InterContinental Porto-Palacio das Cardosas

My family and the people I employ have stayed here a number times. The experience and location has been positive. Today, since I was passing by and am on business in Porto, I stopped by to use the facilities before progressing to the bar where I usually order a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, I was chased into the bathroom by an overzealous doorman who lacked both tact and sense. Are you a guest he demanded, when I was actually inside the bathroom and about to use the urinal. I replied that I would be, not having a chance to elaborate that I was about to head to the bar, which would mean that yes I was now a guest. He insisted without any further information or clarification that the bathroom was only for guests, suggesting that I was not welcome and should leave. So I did. Here is the problem. Is a guest only someone sleeping at the hotel? If so, is it the policy of this hotel to facilitate dinner and bar experiences but then chase paying diners (not “guests”) into the bathroom if they dare to relieve their bladders after or before their reservations? Is it hotel policy to ask those patrons to leave the premises altogether if they dare to wash their hands in the bathroom having had the temerity to dine at the restaurant? What a pathetic, petty and puny establishment. Sadly for this establishment, which I had positive feelings about before today, they have lost business for February. Had the overzealous and petty doorman listened and shown some respect for both me and the situation, I would have explained to him that 1) my company provides services in Porto and we intended to book a series of rooms for February, and 2) even more crucially, I was heading to the bar. Since his listening skills were overtaken by his position, I simply told him that fine, I would leave straight away and on top of that, I would not stay in the hotel again. So here is my message to the board not even the hotel management: Your badly trained doorman has lost you my company’s business at your restaurant, bar and rooms. Why? Because he had no sense and only presumptions about my motivations. Unfortunately for this hotel, you have lost tens of thousands of pounds of business because you picked on the wrong man. Not only will I vote with my feet, but I will make sure that every one of my directors and colleagues dismantles any and all corporate relationships with IHG. So well done to you Mr. Doorman. You won. You really saved the bathroom.

Beautiful building, hotel, employees, location...you get where I'm going here! This is the type of hotel you are imagining when you go to Europe. I guess the best way to describe it is "historical elegance".

Exceeded my expectations. Just the best location, in a very grand building. Reception area and service was a good as I have experienced. Fast elevators. The room was brilliant, clean , modern and grand. I used the gym and found it good enough to tie you over for a workout. The food and eating areas were outstanding. I still dream about the breakfast offering. We had some horrific wet weather, but the hotel had some people rooms to read and watch the world go by.

fantastic breakfast even local pickles our junior suite was huge and very comfortable walking distance to most places of interest

Perfect location, well equipped rooms Excellent service, The restaurant offers some very delicious plates. They also have a very nice spa.