Melia Ria Hotel & Spa

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the bed was comfortable. I also appreciated that the room didn’t smell of strong cleaning products or perfume. They seem conscious of the environment and make the stay comfortable for travelers. We had a great time in Aveiro. Best hotel I’ve stayed at.

The spa was crowded with people who weren’t staying at the hotel, so we had to book, and the available time didn’t suit us. The room was too warm with no way to adjust it. Opening the window brought in train and traffic noise, and the WiFi was slow and unreliable. Getting a charge going was a hassle too. The Tesla Destination Charger wasn’t available to guests, and there was no stable phone or WiFi signal in the garage to sign up for the public charging. I had to go back and forth to reception to download the app and register. The hotel didn’t feel like good value. It’s away from the town centre and main tourist area, and our room looked out onto an industrial view rather than the Ria.

We liked it enough to extend our stay. The area is quiet and beautiful, with cafes and restaurants just 2-5 minutes away. It’s a pleasant, slow 15-minute walk into the centre. The room was comfortable and a good size, and the shower was excellent. Breakfast had lots to choose from, though we missed having vegetables. There was fresh fruit. The spa is small but just right. The jet pool has well-placed jets, and the swimming pool is good for actual exercise too. The Turkish bath was superb. The dry sauna door could use better insulation. Staff at both the spa and hotel were very friendly and helpful. I had four treatments, and all were very good. Highly recommend!

I booked through Booking.com and told them we’d be bringing our very friendly Labrador. Only after the booking did they send the pet rules. They say pets must weigh no more than 20kg, cost €35 a night, can’t enter the restaurant, bar or health club, and can’t be left alone in the room. Pets must be carried in a suitable carrier through public areas, and the rules also say to keep to the hotel garage when bringing them in or out. They ask for vaccination papers at check-in and say guests are responsible for cleaning up after pets. The message also mentioned two animals per room, each up to 20kg, and liability for damage caused during the stay. The rules came in a badly translated email from Eulália Vieira, and I’m sorry for the grammar, Google Translate. They asked us to let them know if we wanted to reserve a place for the pet. So, for a two-night stay, that would be €70, and I’d have to chop my dog’s legs off to get her under 20kg. Lol. These places claim to be pet friendly but don’t explain the conditions before booking, wasting people’s time. Not pet friendly, not transparent. Avoid.