PortoBay Liberdade

The spa has an indoor pool, Turkish hammam, dry sauna, and a rooftop hot tub that was especially nice in the rain. Breakfast was top notch, with plenty of fresh, delicious choices and à la carte dishes. The central location is still quiet, beside an area full of designer shops and close to public transportation. My room was quiet, so I slept very well. The blackout curtains made it completely dark, which matters to me because light tends to disturb my sleep. It was spacious and had a comfortable king bed, bathtub, and balcony. The Nespresso machine came with capsules refilled daily, and mineral water was available on request. Rituals bath products and evening turndown with chocolate were lovely touches. The property is beautiful, with a warm, inviting lobby and well-designed rooms. Check-in was quick and pleasant, and the staff were consistently friendly and welcoming. I had a wonderful stay and would definitely come back.

After a workday, the spa and gym were easily the best part of the stay. The rooms were fine and practical, and the service was good. A solid choice for a business trip.

The hotel itself was good, and most staff were attentive. Still, I left with an embarrassing experience at the restaurant entrance. My husband and I are Brazilian, and I'm a Black woman. We were going in to join my in-laws for dinner, with a wine voucher and plans to order food, but the blonde woman at reception stopped us and said it wasn't a place to drink. Her cynical, Gestapo-like manner didn't fool me, and the reason for stopping us was never made clear. Prejudice can show up among Portuguese people and Europeans generally. I forgot to note her name and didn't sign the official complaints book, so I'm recording what happened here.

The reception and customer service were amazing. On checkout day they let me have lunch and leave my car in the parking area, which helped a lot. Then, just as I was leaving, my car key battery died and I couldn't get out. Reception called maintenance, and they got me a replacement battery. Thanks so much. The tall woman with long black hair was especially kind and helped with the key.