Melia Braga

The indoor pool costs an absurd amount to use. For more than €40 for my son and me, I’d expect a well-maintained tiled or stone pool. Instead, it has a vinyl liner with big air bubbles, the sort of thing you see at a poorly run hotel. The maintenance is lacking, to put it mildly. This doesn’t feel like a five-star hotel pool.

The lifts were painfully slow, the shower leaked, and our room wasn’t properly cleaned. In my opinion, there was nothing luxurious about this place, and it didn’t feel like a five-star hotel. We were there from September 5 to 8 for a wedding. When we arrived in the morning, our room wasn’t ready, which I understood. But after waiting about an hour, we were told it was ready and a porter took us upstairs. The door was open; a man was repairing a ceiling leak, and a woman was still mopping the bathroom. We were sent back downstairs because the room clearly wasn’t ready. I asked the receptionist Ines why we’d been sent up, expecting an apology and to be asked to wait a little longer. She said she didn’t know what I meant and kept insisting the room was ready. Her rude, dismissive manner made me feel as if I’d done something wrong, even though we’d only been there for two hours. She seemed to lack customer service training, and that interaction affected my whole stay. I also saw her treat some of my friends similarly in other situations. It felt like the hotel had too many guests and had grown complacent about service. Some people in our wedding party had stayed there for an earlier event but booked elsewhere this time. I can see why. At breakfast, it often seemed other couples were seated ahead of us too. We were a Black and Indian wedding party, and some of us felt uncomfortable with how we were treated. The hotel depends on wedding groups, and it could find itself empty if this keeps up. If I attend another wedding in Braga, I won’t stay here. I won’t return or recommend it.

The rooms feel old and have things that don’t work properly. Breakfast is average, though there are a few vegan choices. The sauna is poorly maintained and always crowded. Parking around the hotel is free, but indoor parking costs extra.

The location was convenient, close to the city center, and still quiet. I had a great stay at Melia Braga Hotel & Spa. My room was spacious, spotless and nicely appointed, with a comfy bed, good amenities and a lovely city view. The property feels modern and is beautifully designed. The spa was a highlight after sightseeing, with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room. The outdoor pool and terrace were well maintained too. Breakfast had plenty of fresh options, and the restaurant served local and international food with impressive quality and presentation. The staff were friendly, professional and attentive. Check-in and checkout were smooth, and they were available with local tips and recommendations. A great choice for business or leisure, and I’d recommend it for the comfort, facilities and service.