Hotel Império do Norte

The room was nice and clean, with a small balcony where I could open the windows for fresh air. I couldn’t give it five stars, though. My room faced the river, but festival tents and a carnival blocked the view. There were no dark curtains, just a sheer, so the flashing lights and noise kept me awake until 3 am. I’d just finished 34 km on the Camino and was exhausted, but the extra noise stopped me sleeping.

There are restaurants and bars nearby, so there are dining options. The hotel itself could use some upgrading, and the immediate surroundings look quite run down. My room was okay, but there was no tea or coffee making facility. It all felt a little underwhelming.

We liked the spot by the water, though the room was on the small side. The staff were generally nice, but the Canadian woman at reception wasn't much help. When I asked for a map, she sent me to an information office beside the hotel that wasn't actually there. There was a smell in both the room and hallway, so we opened the balcony door to clear it out. Breakfast was much like what you'd get at other hotels in Portugal. I also didn't think Ponte de Lima was worth visiting, since the bridge seemed to be the only thing to see.

We only stayed one night. The staff were very pleasant, though doors banging in the morning made some noise. The rooms have a modern look but are small, and breakfast was basic, just okay. Most of the hotel has been refurbished, but areas like the stairs still seem dated. The view over an old swimming pool wasn't pleasant. I don't know why it's out of use or whether it belongs to the hotel.