Casa da Marechal - Boutique House by Oporto Collection

The breakfast could use more variety, maybe eggs and bacon instead of so much flour. Tea and coffee in the room also cost extra, unlike at other places. The room had dust on the headboard, and there was mold in both the shower and on the curtains. Being in there was honestly unbearable, it was hard to breathe. A staff member said cleaning happens weekly, but the condition made that hard to believe, and he offered nothing in return. I was disappointed, since things looked fine at first.

The biggest problem for me was how little soundproofing there is. On the first floor, every footstep from the room above comes through, which is disruptive when people are coming and going at different hours. Foz itself is a quiet, upscale area by the sea, with good padarias and boutiques. The hotel is attractive inside and out, especially the pool and shared spaces. Staff were friendly and helpful, and its small size gives it a cozy, intimate feel.

Alberto was incredibly kind throughout our stay. He even let us keep the car in the garage after checkout, pointed out a nearby supermarket, explained the hotel breakfast, and recommended a great cafe around the corner. When we arrived at 9:30pm, he was happy to greet us himself; he’d also sent a WhatsApp with instructions in case we got there after 10pm. The old house has just nine guest rooms, and Alberto called a restaurant up the street and booked us a table. The room was small but well furnished, and the pool was nice. It’s a residential area about 400 yards from the sea. We’re so glad we picked this as the starting point for our trip around Portugal, even though we found it almost by accident.

This is our second stay at Casa da Marechal Boutique hotel, and we’ve loved it both times. It’s quiet, lovely, close to the sea, and surrounded by good restaurants. The center of Porto is around a 50-minute walk, or a short taxi ride. Breakfast is great if you want it, though you don’t have to have it. The spa, sauna, and gym are impressive for a small hotel, and the staff are all friendly and helpful. We’d definitely recommend staying here.