Pestana Palacio Do Freixo

Outstanding experience in hotel and restaurant.

excellent dinner and lovely staff

The facilities are wonderful, the breakfast service is excellent... the inn is beautiful, I felt like I was in a fairy tale. The rooms are comfortable, I didn't hear any noise, and the cleanliness is impeccable.

We spent 4 nights at this charming property early December 2025. We had a very nice Grand View Room with a wonderful view over the Palácio and the Douro river! The hotel develops in the two buildings: the baroque Palácio which hosts the common areas plus the restaurant, and the milling factory of the 19th century, which hosts the rooms and suites and the spa. Definitely go for a Grand View room, which are corner rooms, for a spacious, bright and well appointed space and wonderful views! Unfortunately bathrooms are on the small side and are a bit old-fashioned in style and fixtures, probably given the years passed since the conversion of the building. Breakfast is served in the richly decorated baroque rooms of the Palácio and offers an extensive buffet of quality products plus a small a la carte menu. We particularly appreciated the local delicacies on offer, which are a great touch! Staff are all welcoming and professional, but the breakfast staff really stand out for their warmth and politeness!! Some areas for improvement we feel could be addressed: - room amenities could be improved this being a 5* property, eg. dental kits, mouthwash. - Something more personalised could be offered as a turndown gift, such as a local treat: biscuits, chocolates, etc. - A more organised welcome at check-in: we were only offered our welcome drink once we were already on our way to our room. It would be nice to welcome guests in the wonderful lounge and have the check-in in procedure there while enjoying the welcome drink. - The spa could really do with an upgrade: the indoor pool was rather cold as well as the sauna and the steam room, which were not at the appropriate temperature. No proper changing rooms and locker are available. All rather easy improvements which could make a very good stay a memorable one! We anyway really enjoyed Palácio do Freixo and would definitely recommend it for a stay in wonderful and romantic Porto!

An indescribable experience — one we’ll gladly repeat again and again. Staying here truly felt like a journey through time, where the elegance of the 18th century beautifully meets the present day. From the very first moment, everything was wonderful. We were warmly welcomed by Inês at reception, whose smile, friendliness, and charisma immediately made us feel at home. Fábio kindly introduced us to the hotel layout and accompanied us to our room, a very thoughtful touch. Another highlight was the fascinating guided visit led by Inês, full of history and art, ending with a lovely Port wine, cheese, and treats tasting. That’s where we met Mariana, whose professionalism, kindness, and fantastic cocktails truly stood out — she also took great care of us later at lunch, with stunning views over the Douro River. Thank you as well for the lovely birthday surprise, which made our stay even more special. The only aspect that fell slightly short for us was the food. Perhaps we were unlucky with our choices, but the Parmesan cheeseburgers arrived cold and, although perfectly edible, the flavour — as well as the desserts — didn’t quite impress us. We felt the price–quality balance could be better aligned, though we sincerely hope for a different culinary experience on a future visit. Overall, this is far more than just a hotel — it’s truly a journey through time, a place where you feel at home, and undoubtedly the right choice for a special occasion. We’re already looking forward to returning.