Troia Design Hotel

We live nearby and chose to treat ourselves in the off season. The staff welcomed us warmly, and there was a tray of sweets in our room. Everyone was kind and accommodating, from the restaurant and bar to the pool and breakfast buffet. We were really impressed by how well they run the property during such a quiet season. We came home feeling completely relaxed.

The massage was the best part of our stay, and breakfast was good enough to meet five-star standards, though the room where it was served lacked atmosphere and the coffee was poor. Otherwise, the experience was mediocre, and the hotel felt overpriced for what it offered. Our Deluxe Superior Room didn’t feel deluxe or design-oriented, and certainly wasn’t worth the price. Cleaning and maintenance seemed poor: there was visible mold and limescale around the bathroom carpet, dirty windows and glass, and dampness in the ceiling and floor. The room felt neglected. The TV was tiny, there were no outlets in the bathroom, and there were only a few in the room, so we had to dry our hair in the toilet. The hotel felt deserted, and the dark interior and dated carpets made it somber and unwelcoming. The restaurant and breakfast room lacked warmth too. The pool, sauna, steam room, and showers were very basic. Hotel guests had to pay €10 for the first hour of spa access, which seemed out of proportion to the quality. I think access should be included at a five-star hotel. The spa required swimwear, which felt uncomfortable and unhygienic, and swimming caps were mandatory. Cleanliness and maintenance there were average at best. The massage itself was good, and the therapists were clearly skilled. Getting to the hotel and finding parking weren’t clear, so we parked ourselves. I’d expect valet parking at this level. At check-in, staff didn’t know about our booked arrangement. At check-out, nobody asked how our stay had been, and the massage discount wasn’t applied until we pointed it out. Dinner was decent, but the service was poor and unprofessional. Staff had limited English, didn’t know much about wine, and often used their phones. They didn’t ask about dishes we left uneaten. Being turned away for arriving three minutes before opening time wasn’t acceptable for a high-end hotel. We booked the “Perfect Night” arrangement, but there was no VIP service, and late check-out couldn’t be guaranteed despite how quiet the hotel was. The wellness experience lasted less than two hours, and the massage was 50 minutes rather than the promised 60. We paid €97 per person for a 50-minute massage and tea. A regular 50-minute massage at the spa costs around €90, so the advertised 20% discount felt misleading rather than like a real deal. Our stay was 8-9 January 2026. Troia Design Hotel in Tróia, Portugal, didn’t justify its five-star label or pricing.

It’s a peaceful place with a real sense of privacy, and the community is very welcoming. Getting around means either taking the ferry or driving overland, as I mentioned. If you’d like to stay in a hospitality community, go visit Troia 💯❤️

The room felt neglected from the moment I walked in. There was a stale, unpleasant smell, the floor covering looked cheap and stained, and the floor itself was dirty. Furniture was heavily worn, with marks and chipped areas, and I saw stains on both the ceiling and bathroom. The upholstery wasn’t clean either. The terrace was meant to be cozy, but it was just concrete with uncomfortable chairs. There is an ocean view, though buildings right in front of the hotel block much of it. Inside, outlets were awkwardly placed with none handy by the bed, the bedside tables were tiny, and the TV was very small and old. Bathrobes and slippers were only available if requested, which doesn’t seem right for a five-star hotel. In the shower there was only generic shower gel and shampoo of questionable quality, no conditioner. I haven’t tried breakfast yet, and based on the property’s condition I’m not expecting much. I really don’t see how this is rated five stars. It feels like a three-star place that hasn’t been maintained properly for years, nowhere near the luxury it claims to offer.