Douro Royal Valley Hotel & Spa

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : We enjoyed the view which was breathtaking (even if we came during raining days). Hotel was overall clean and had a modern design. Room was big and the bed was reasonably comfortable. I personally found the breakfast acceptable, though again a bit supbar for a 5 star hotel, more akin to a 4 star buffet.
  : For an advertised 5 star hotel, we found it lacking in quality, service and look. It is a 4 star hotel in essence. Firstly, we found that the aestethic was too bland, lots of long white corridors with no decorations and no soul. For example, to reach the second elevator towards the spa, we had to walk through a long corridor with empty walls. Why not put wall plants there to give some life to the place ? Secondly, we found it confusing that the hotel did not permit us to play on the piano in the main bar. This is the first hotel we had in Portugal (out of 4 with a piano) that did not allow us to use the piano. I would not have reserved in this hotel if i knew this information beforehand. There was also contradictory information given by different employees, some permitting us to play on the piano and others not. The hotel restaurant was also a weird experience, where employees dont communicate properly to each other, creating frustrating situations for clients. I had to refuse bread and wine 4 times each in less than 5 min. There is a difference between service and harassment. To add insult to injury, water and bread were offered repetitively but no mention of the cost of it. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable for a 5 star hotel.

Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple

Good
Traveller Type:
  : The pool is amazing and the view is incredible. Room size was great and spacious. Breakfast was good. Free car park was a good bonus.
  : The hotel felt understaffed and the service didnt match its 5 stars. There was one poor waiter for the whole pool area, who was doing a great job. Seems the spa staff need to help out when busy or reallocate staff to the food and drink. The plastic pool cards make no sense, seems a wasted job for the staff when they could be instead taking drinks orders around the pool/ cleaning up old glasses to prevent wasps/ ants etc. The pool bar menu also needs improving