Des Arts- Guesthouse - Hostel

We only stopped in for brunch, not an overnight stay. The terrace over the river was wonderful, and the brunch was generous, tasty, and fairly priced. The lovely woman serving breakfast did it all with a smile. We really enjoyed the stop!

We were there during the 40C heatwave, and the room still felt cool and refreshing. The place was spotless, the staff lovely, and breakfast came with bread, cakes, coffee, and fresh fruit. Such a beautiful place to stay, we honestly loved it.

The place itself is nice, and I imagine the rooms are comfortable, but there weren't any available the night I stayed, so I booked a dorm bed. After taking my payment, reception mentioned there'd be a private party in the garden beside my room, with loud music until 2am. I also had to remind the receptionist to give me the key. The room didn't have a lock, but I needed the key to pull down my bed. No one gave me the internet password. At the bar they pointed to a sticker, but that network didn't reach the downstairs dorm. There were eight beds and no air conditioning, with daytime temperatures reaching 40 degrees (104 farenheit). I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

We planned to head on to Braga, but after just one night in Amarante we wanted to stay longer. The town and hotel had that much pull. Our river-facing room was magnificent, and the staff's warm welcome made us feel at home. The hotel is in an old building where the careful renovation keeps its character while adding modern comforts. High ceilings, lovely vintage furniture, and tasteful decor gave every corner a sense of Amarante's history. The sheets and towels were also exceptionally soft and smelled wonderful. Breakfast was brought right to our table, with a delicious range of food and flavors. It was a lovely start to each day. A truly special stay.