Lousada Country Hotel

Set in a really picturesque spot, this is a lovely hotel with good facilities.

There’s plenty of outdoor space, which is especially pleasant in good weather, and the hotel is surrounded by greenery. Be sure to look at the lovely Portuguese church and residence linked to the main building. The property has two parts, the main hotel and cottages about five minutes away; both are nice, though the main building feels more modern. Our room by the dining area and reception was spacious. We couldn’t connect our computer to the TV, which turned out to be hidden behind the “mirror,” a nice design idea that didn’t work for our cable. The staff were generally friendly, though some of the women smiled more than others. The gym was open, but unfortunately the wellness area was out of order. The food, both breakfast and dinner, felt like poor value. Maybe they were cutting costs because we were there with a group, I’m not sure. It wasn’t bad, but not what I’d expect from a four-star hotel. Overall, it’s a good place, with Mercadona about a 10-minute walk away.

The rooms were spotless and well kept, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Say hello to the girl at the bar, she’s fantastic. I loved the place, but two things held me back from giving it five stars. A vehicle was repeatedly left in one of the access routes, making it very difficult to drive to our room, which was quite far from the entrance. Also, smoke from people smoking near the restaurant sometimes came inside because of the air circulation, which was unpleasant while eating indoors.

The hotel’s scattered buildings sit among wide green fields, giving the place a real country feel. I stayed for a week while visiting Lousada in Porto, and it was a memorable experience. The reception staff were consistently polite, helpful, and pleasant, and my room was always clean with everything I needed provided. I’d definitely recommend it to friends and family.