Grande Hotel das Caldas da Felgueira

The huge pool is a highlight, and this historic hotel has recently reopened. Our standard room looked new, but it was extremely small. The shower was so cramped you could barely turn around. You can still see the building’s age if you look closely, and I’m not sure the renovation work will hold up for more than five years. It feels like the rooms could deteriorate again. The hotel sits down in the valley, and there isn’t much to do in the village apart from the nearby termas. Breakfast was the usual limited Portuguese selection. Staff language skills varied by shift. Rates often start around €120 for a double, which feels steep for such a remote spot, though I saw prices around €80 and that seems more reasonable. Some rooms also get noise from the cobbled street.

Breakfast could use more variety in the meat options, and the pastries need to be much better. Apart from that, the facilities and service were great. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and the setting is beautiful, with a lovely view from the pool and plenty of space to swim. It’s a good place for families, though a small pool for kids would be a welcome addition. A nice escape from busy city life.

The dining room food was okay, while breakfast was very good. In summer, the lack of proper air conditioning could be an issue. When I stayed in May, I could open the windows at night and cool the room down.

The bed was really comfortable, and breakfast was one of the best we had during our two-week road trip. The pool looked beautiful, and the hot spring spa across the street was just as lovely. The property is being refurbished, and the workers were careful and considerate. The updates look nice. Every staff member was incredibly kind and helpful, and they took time to show us around. Our Portuguese is still at beginner level, so the receptionist called a colleague to help with check-in and apologized for the trouble. We felt bad they had to go out of their way. 5+ stars!