Pousada de Viana do Castelo

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The breakfast buffet had everything anyone would want including my favourite luxury, peeled oranges.
  : The reverse aircon malfunctioned but we were given another room to sleep in.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : Stunning location and views. Beautiful, well run hotel with pleasant staff. Varied, well stocked breakfast buffet. Good transport links via bus and train stations at bottom of funicular.
  : Can't fault it.

Very Good
Traveller Type:
  : Location was spectacular. The main body of the hotel had a lovely feel to it . It felt you were being transported back to the 1950s
  : The room . Very disappointing, old fashioned but not in a good way . Bland wallpaper and carpet . No plug sockets beside the bed . The bathroom was also unimpressive .

Fair
Traveller Type: Family with Young Children
  : The hotel location is fantastic, the trip down the mountain in the funicular is great fun. The view from the restaurant was spectacular, however right in the middle of the view is a conspicuous tree which should be removed or cut back. Definitely a hotel for the better off older traveller.
  : The bedroom we had was not great, the bathroom was old, tired, far too small and really in need of a renovation. The general decor of the hotel is institutional and boring. The hotel grounds are not well kept or very interesting. Reading about the Pestana family in the book on our side table was enough to make you want to ask for a discount for misleading information regarding the hotel.

Wonderful
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : This hotel is like its cut from an Agatha Christie novel. Its about 100 years old with a grand lobby with high ceilings. Situated on top of a hill overlooking Viana do Castelo where the only things there are the hotel and the famous church. Therefore its not within walking distance from the town. You have to take the funicular or a taxi to get to the town. The view from our room (and the hotel) was simply amazing. Pool area was nice, with showers. The breakfast was outstanding. Staff were helpful and nice and specially our friend Deryk who was an amazing help. Viana do Castelo is a charming town with many great seafood restaurants. "Praia de Afife" beach is recomended.
  : Room was a bit dated and in need of some refurbishment, but was still amazing, hence the view from the room. Air con. pretty weak but didnt bother us since it doesnt get too hot in this area.

Wonderful
Traveller Type:
  : The building and its decor. The friendly staff. The food was excellent too.
  : Nothing.

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The breakfast and view were excellent. The bed was comfortable and it is nice to have a chocolate on your pillow.
  : The bathroom was extremely small and it was hard to access the toilet. The rooms are small.

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The amazing view and great breakfast
  : Cheap doors to room and only one lift for the entire hotel meant a little wait.

Very Good
Traveller Type: Traveling as Couple
  : The room was large, very comfortable, quiet and decorated in an early fifties style, although we did not have great views. Staff were extremely helpful. Breakfast was very good and of the same high standard as breakfasts at Spanish Paradors. Before the weather changed we managed a swim in the excellent swimming pool. We knew when we booked that the location was on top of a hill, outside the town. Because of weather, work commitments and a car race on the hill we did not visit the town from the hotel but ate in the hotel. The food was of decent size portions and good quality ingredients, however, presentation and flavours lacked finesse. This was our first trip to a Pousada and we have visited many Spanish Paradors so comparisons are inevitable. Overall, an enjoyable stay
  : Nothing