Douro Yachts & Chalets

Very Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : Riverside location was unusual and allowed us a close up view of the daily goings-on. Ferradosa is a small and quiet village, but So Joo da Pesqueira , a good-sized town, is only 15 minutes away. Robert and Phillip, the owners, are very congenial and were quick to provide us whatever we needed. We really enjoyed the boat ride on the river that Robert took us on on a beautiful and sunny day. We both enjoyed talking with him and learning about the Douro area. The Wi-Fi was wonderfully fast; the fastest of our holiday.
  : Actually, nothing. The small cabins are comfortable and an unusual place to stay.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : location was superb. on the river with kayaks. we loved the view and the terrace. our host Felipe was very kind and accommodating for our late night arrival.
  : One of the bedrooms was extremely small, no room to get off the bed on both sides. Windows are missing the screen so we couldnt leave them open for fresh air. Kitchen faucet was loose and the place could use some repair and update in general. Room description says washing machine which is incorrect. They offer laundry service instead which we didnt use.

Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : Lovely location by the river. Great views. Glad that there is a air cooling unit.
  : Wifi is spotty inside the cabin, but outside is ok.

Wonderful
Traveller Type:
  : The staff, especially Filipe was amazing and help us a lot during our stayed.

Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : The remote, quiet location is beautiful. There are 2 bungalows (one with a separate bedroom with 2 double beds) so if you don't like lots of crowds then this is the place for you. There is a train to Ferradosa from Porto every 4 hours, then it's a 15 minute walk to the site if thats useful to anyone but be warned bring your own food and drink if traveling this way. Apparently you could be picked up from the station by someone if arranged in advance. We arrived by car and the nearest shop is about a 25 minute drive away on winding mountain paths (not too scary for me but another traveller we met thought it was!) When we arrived it was plus 30C and the pool was very cold to cool down but if it was a milder day it would probably be too cold to use. We travelled with 2 children aged 8 and 9 and they liked being able to use the ping pong table directly below our accommodation abd the kayaks which are just there to use when you would like. You collect the paddles and life jackets from the ping pong area. The booking confirmation email was slightly confusing as it said the restaurant (just outside the gates) was closed but then open. We found it open from 12pm-6pm approx but closed Mondays during our stay. The food and staff exceptional. The owner even drove to the nearest pharmacy in the evening to get our daughter some medicine after we tried and failed to find an open one whilst we ate some delicious steak and cheese selection. The pharmacies operate on rotation so if you ever get stuck ask the restaurant.
  : We arrived at 7.30pm, we told the owners we would be there around 8pm but had no communication to say this was OK. We had no phone signal, did not know the WIFI password apparently it was in confirmation message but 2 other couples also could not find it) so could not call one of the various numbers given. Another couple arrived after us and we were confused together as they mixed our accommodation, we were told the one after the pool in an email but it only had one bedroom. Even though it's a tiny place we had still never been here before so we hunted around to find a different staircase to the one we thought should be ours but could not enter as the door was jammed. We eventually got in after seeing that the door was warped and you needed to lean on it to get the key in the lock to turn. Luckily the other couple had phone signal and were able to get hold of someone. We were told the person was having their dinner but would come soon. They did come and showed us that we were in the right rooms. All a bit unnerving especially with 2 young children, tired from travelling. The room is in desparate need of maintenance especially the door handle and door and the kitchen tap which was completely loose. The water runs scalding hot and not being able to turn with one hand is dangerous. I could not sleep in the bed, it was too hard. I slept in 2nd with kids which is in a completely separate lodge as the beds were slightly softer and seemed larger. Be warned it was extremely hot inside with freestanding air con units that are extremely noisy. (Outside temp 30+). The breakfast is NOT adequate for 4 people for 5 nights. I would say it's more like a welcome basket- fruit, bread, dairy lee triangles, jam, milk, tea and coffee then with no further contact with hosts until check out to pay rest of money in cash. There was no bottled water so bring your own as nearest shop is 25 minute+ drive.

Fair
Traveller Type: Solo Traveler
  : Felipe was lovely! The staff were super nice. We went out on a boat tour one morning and it was beautiful. Felipe took us all around and told us stories about Duoro river, it was my favourite part of my stay! The location of the Bungalows is great for the stunning views with sunsets and sunrises over the mountains! Very picturesque. But there is nothing around for restaurants or groceries. Plan your food in advance! There is one restaurant down the road but it's only open from 12pm for lunch. It closes by dinner time. Great food though!
  : The place itself could use some TLC. Everything is very old, smelly and not quite put together. "Yachts" is misleading. I slept on one of the boats and I am generally very comfortable sleeping on boats as I've done so all my life. The boat was very tight and not a good place to relax after the sun goes down (you can't use any lights because the bugs are so bad by the water). There is a kitchen you can use but it's up by the reception and still there's no place to relax at night or if it's raining. My boat smelled quite musty and it was pouring rain and very hot in there (maybe better at another time in the year when it's not rainy and you can open the hatch window, but when you open the doors and windows the bugs are so bad you'd rather suffer in the stale sauna). The beds on the boat are very uncomfortable. I stayed in one of the bungalows for one night and my feet were black from the dirt and dust on the floors. The towels and blankets are old and crusty with an old cupboard smell. The accommodation is like an old marina; lots of cobwebs, musty smells, weeds/no yard maintenance and in need of some care.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : the view, the location! simple accommodations, comfortable, in a special location just near the river

Pleasant
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The view, the location, the ping pong table, the bungalow atmosphere, the free kayaks, near the train station, near a great restaurant
  : Breakfast is a joke, the toilet had a tube that was broken behind the sink, no daily maintenance on their own facilities and I mean nobody is cleaning it every day, taking care of, ensuring what guests are about to use, will be in order

Good
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : Stunning location on the river!

Pleasant
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children