D. Luis - Coimbra

I wanted a quiet beer on the bar patio, but after serving me the staff disappeared. I had to track someone down just to pay, and after sitting there for two hours I was still thirsty. I ended up ordering Uber Eats. The property feels very dated and badly needs updating. The room was basically for sleeping and showering: no mini-fridge or microwave for leftovers, and the bathtub plug was missing. There’s no pool or fitness center, and you can’t even buy bottled water there. The TVs are about computer-monitor size, if watching one matters to you. I’m not trying to be harsh, just describing what happened. I cut my stay short, so go in knowing what you’re getting.

The staff were efficient, which is about what I’d hope for given how dated the hotel feels. The location is awkward too, right by a freeway and on the far side of Coimbra, so having a vehicle is pretty much necessary. It’s six minutes by car, but more than an hour on foot or by public transport. Our first room had a strong cold tobacco smell, so we were moved. The new one smelled damp and musty instead. The rooms are noisy and poorly insulated, and the corridors had a stale smell of old furniture and dirty carpet. Towels smelled of oil and vinegar, and the bathrooms had no ventilation. The buffet was bland, and many dishes ran out quickly. The hotel badly needs a proper renovation.

Every day, the fresh towels left in our bathroom smelled strongly of vinegar and frying oil. The rooms had an unpleasant smell too. I still don't know why the towels were like that.

It's a decent place, but a bit removed from everything. If you know that going in, the distance is fine. The attention could be better.