Hotel Astoria

The hotel is in a safe area, even at night, right in central Coimbra. There's a municipal car park about a kilometer away over the river bridge, with good rates. Breakfast was good, with plenty of sweet and savory choices. I didn't try the hotel restaurant for dinner, as there aren't many other restaurants nearby. It's a historic place that must once have been beautiful and luxurious. Some might call it simply old. The furniture is often antique, and my very large room had a bit of a grandma's house smell. There was no fridge or safe. The bathroom also felt like another era, though the fixed toiletries were excellent and smelled great.

Breakfast was a real highlight, with cereals, breads, eggs, meat, and beans to choose from. The rooms were clean and the staff helpful. It's a beautiful old hotel with lots of personality, in a great spot near the old city.

The breakfast was great, with lots of bread, cheese, and juice, plus ham, eggs, mushrooms, and cereal for kids. We really liked the hot chocolate too, even though it was powdered. At check-in, the receptionist gave us a map, explained how to get around, and pointed out a few places to visit. We booked the romantic room. It was spacious, with three full windows overlooking the Mondego river and bridge, and the old furniture and bathroom fixtures fit the theme. The hotel is right by the river on a main road with public transport nearby. Walking up to the University of Coimbra takes about 15-20 minutes. The outside facade was a sight on its own, and inside the lobby felt like an old movie set, with antique furniture and wooden floors. The whole place had the same old-fashioned feel as the city, but never felt eerie during our stay. We'll remember our time at hotel astoria. Couples should make sure to book the romatic room!

If you want modern comforts like a 60 inch OLED TV, a full minibar, and a floor safe, this isn't the hotel for you. But for a charming, centrally located piece of Coimbra's past, its faded grandeur might be just right. It feels like a five-star or one-star stay depending on what you expect. It's popular with tourists, so don't expect to spot Hercule Poirot at breakfast. You're more likely to hear a very loud American at the next table recounting every place they've visited in Portugal to the whole dining room.