Pousada Ria – Aveiro

The lagoon views kept changing, and they were lovely. The hotel has an old-fashioned feel in the best way, and both the restaurant food and the attentive staff were superb. We didn't have a car, but got around on the hotel bikes. I'd also suggest a guided kayak trip on the lagoon. There's someone offering tours about 500m away, and there's a leaflet at reception.

The hotel workers were friendly, helpful and professional, and there were places around the property to relax. The afternoons can get windy, so mornings are better for sunbathing. We could reach other restaurants by taxi or Uber, though the hotel is beyond a comfortable walking distance from most of them if you've had a drink. I would return and might pay extra for a panoramic-view room to enjoy the scenery. The building dates from the 60s and still seems to have some of its original decor. It's very clean inside and has been maintained. The outdoor pool area is pleasant, but the pool water was too cold for us, while the sea was warmer. Some outdoor features, including the sunbathing platform and tennis court, have been left unused and would have made our stay better if maintained. There was a lovely vegetable soup and a very nice quinoa dish for vegans, plus vegan bar snacks we didn't get a chance to try. The mojitos weren't served as long drinks, but were still delicious.

The staff were lovely and worked hard to make guests happy. The hotel's setting is amazing, though quite remote, so you'll need to drive to local attractions or restaurants other than the hotel. The facility and public outdoor areas felt neglected, and so did the beach. The decks hadn't been swept in a long time, and there was a lot of trash on the beach.

I arrived with a confirmed Booking.com reservation, but the receptionist said it hadn't come through. She wouldn't check the Booking extranet or call Booking to verify it. I watched her answer Booking's calls and hang up without speaking. I was left waiting for over three hours at night with no help. In the end, I had to leave and go back to Spain to find another hotel. It was a terrible, completely unprofessional and disrespectful experience. If you book here, your reservation may be ignored.