AP Dona Aninhas

From the room to the restaurant and even the hallways, the design had a distinctive look. The bed was comfortable, everything smelled and looked spotless, and breakfast came with soft live music. The food was fresh, and I was surprised to find two coffee machines using different beans. The hotel is right in the city center, a short walk from the main street, river, and ocean. For everything included in the stay, the price felt very fair. I hope I can come back ❤️

Breakfast was top notch, and I loved the small touches, like stone-finished nightstands, water in a glass bottle, and live piano music in the morning. The room was very clean, thoughtfully designed, and made with lovely materials. Staff were exceptionally kind. The hotel is charming and central, with easy access to most attractions. Free city parking is about a five-minute walk away, and the beaches are 20-30 minutes on foot. I'll definitely return and highly recommend it.

We had a suite while walking the Camino, with the bedroom upstairs and a living area below. There was loads of room to take a rest day, and the wraparound balcony was handy for drying clothes. The location is fantastic and breakfast was pretty good. Check-in had a few minor hiccups, but otherwise we had a good stay.

The spa is a nice, compact setup with a pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam room, and the hotel's location and stylish atmosphere were appealing. But a few choices got in the way of enjoying it. Pool guests have to wear a cap, which costs €5. That put us off using the facilities, especially since other guests swam without caps and no one objected. If the rule is going to be there, the caps should be free, and it seems outdated anyway. There is only one shower in the spa, and you can't adjust its temperature. After the sauna, we had to use the changing-room showers, where there aren't even hooks for towels. Guests can't walk to the spa in swimwear, apparently to preserve the hotel's upscale feel, but there are no bathrobes to make that easier. Breakfast was okay but hardly varied from day to day. The supposed juices tasted artificial, more like nectar than real juice. Live piano music is a nice idea, though the piano sits so close to the dining area that the volume makes conversation difficult. The rooms were clean and pleasant but short on space. The bathroom needs more hooks and storage, and for a hotel in this price range, having only instant coffee in the room was a surprise. Staff were friendly, but could have communicated a bit more. The hotel has plenty going for it, but these fixable issues kept it from being the four- or five-star experience it could be.