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Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa

Sambade , Alto Da Serra De Bornes (Show on Map)

7.2

Good

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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests

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Summary of reviewsOca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa is celebrated for its magnificent location, nestled atop a mountain offering breathtaking views of the valleys and the Douro River. The serene and picturesque surroundings make it an ideal retreat with guests frequently highlighting the stunning landscapes and tranquil environment. The hotel's placement amidst nature and the spectacular views from rooms and common areas stand out as a major attraction.

The room experience is generally positive with many guests appreciating the spaciousness and comfort of the modern, remodeled rooms. Balconies providing stunning views add a special touch and the large, comfortable beds contribute to restful nights. However, there have been consistent reports of outdated furniture, maintenance issues and cleanliness problems, indicating a need for renovations and better upkeep of some rooms.

Dining at the hotel, especially the dinner service, often receives praise for well-prepared, tasty meals available at affordable prices. The dining experience is enhanced by the beautiful views from the restaurant. Nonetheless, there are suggestions for improving the presentation, variety and quality of dishes with some guests noting that meals can be dry and the menu somewhat limited. Breakfast, on the other hand, generally falls short of expectations for a 4-star hotel with limited variety and a lack of quality in certain offerings.

The hotel's spa facilities and pools are partially well-received. Remodeled areas and the indoor pool are enjoyed for their pleasant conditions. The outdoor infinity pool attracts significant praise for its stunning views, despite the water being cold at times. However, ongoing renovations and operational issues such as inactive saunas, cold spa water and noise disturbances from children indicate areas for improvement to enhance the overall spa experience.

Cleanliness at the hotel presents a mixed picture. While some rooms are noted as clean and contemporary, many reviews highlight significant issues with dirt, mold and inadequate cleaning services. Maintenance concerns extend to common areas and the state of furnishings, detracting from the hotel's appeal.

The staff at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa are often praised for their friendliness and helpfulness with particular commendations for the reception, restaurant and spa employees. However, a few reviews mention occasional instances of apathy or inexperience, especially during busy periods.

The overall WiFi experience at the hotel is inconsistent with guests facing intermittent issues with internet availability in rooms and malfunctioning services. The beds receive generally positive feedback for their comfort, which, along with the peaceful environment, contributes to a good night's sleep.

Despite the presence of positive aspects, the hotel's overall condition and service currently do not align with the 4-star rating, indicating a need for significant renovations and improvements in various areas to meet the expected standards.
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Hotel with Swimming Pool

The hotel offers an indoor pool that is open from 9 AM to 9 PM and sun loungers. It also offers spa services and a terrace/patio.

Infinity Pool Indoor Pool Panoramic View Pool

4-Star Hotel

This hotel offers spa facilities. Guests can enjoy relaxation and wellness treatments during their stay.

Hotel for Honeymoon

Hotel with Spa

Romantic Hotel

Business Hotel

Accessible Hotel

Hotel with Infinity Pool

Hotel with Panoramic View Pool

Hotel with Indoor Pool

Room Types

About Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa

License: 1328

Guest Reviews

7.2

Good

Location

Nestled atop a mountain, Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa boasts an exceptional location offering breathtaking views and serene tranquility. Visitors are treated to stunning landscapes with incredible views of valleys and the Douro River. The hotel, situated in the midst of nature, provides an unparalleled escape with picturesque surroundings and easy access to Alfândega da Fé. The serene environment and beautiful scenery create an ideal setting for relaxation and peace, further complemented by the remarkable aesthetic of the indoor and outdoor pools. Guests consistently highlight the fantastic views from their rooms and common areas, making the location an undeniable highlight of their stay. The hotel's magnificent placement, combined with the beauty of its natural surroundings, make it a true hidden gem in the mountains, perfect for those seeking a retreat into nature's splendor.

Breakfast

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa presents a mixed bag when it comes to its breakfast offerings. While some guests appreciated the quality of specific items like the fruit, bread, scrambled eggs and sweets, many felt that the variety was quite lacking for a 4-star establishment. Commonly noted was the limited selection of fruits, cheeses and typical regional products with some emphasizing the minimal options available. Although a few guests found the breakfast acceptable or even good, the majority described it as basic and rather weak.

The breakfast setup included essential items, but several reviewers mentioned cold beverages and an absence of choices like espresso or cappuccino. The service hours were another point of contention, causing inconvenience for some guests. Overall, the breakfast experience at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa seems to fall short of the expectations one might have for a hotel of this rating with a consistent call for more variety and improved quality.

Dinner

The dinner experience at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa offers a mix of opinions with many guests praising the fine quality of food that is served at affordable prices. Reviews highlight the restaurant's well-prepared, tasty meals, complemented by stunning views, making it a memorable dining spot for many. Several guests appreciated the good balance of quality, price and portion size and noted the availability of à la carte options and vegetarian dishes.

However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests pointed out that the presentation and variety of dishes could use improvement, describing the menu as somewhat limited and the appetizers as small. A few found the dishes to be dry and tough, while others noted that the gourmet appearance of the meals sometimes distorted their original flavors.

Overall, while the dinner at the hotel’s restaurant is generally well-received for its taste and value, there are areas that could be enhanced, such as menu variety and the quality of certain dishes. The ambiance and the views add a pleasant touch to the dining experience, but some guests feel that the food quality and service need refinement to fully meet expectations.

Rooms

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa appears to offer a range of room experiences based on guest reviews with some standout positives and notable areas needing improvement. The rooms are frequently described as spacious and comfortable with some featuring modern decor and large beds that enhance the visitor's relaxation. Many guests appreciated the cleanliness, especially in the remodeled rooms, which were modern and contemporary. Additionally, rooms with balconies provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape, adding a special touch to the stay.

However, numerous reviews pointed out the need for renovations, highlighting outdated and deteriorated furniture, worn-out bedding and problems with room amenities. The lack of a door for the bathroom and faulty air conditioning were particular pain points. Issues like musty smells, unclean rooms and maintenance problems with basics like broken phones and inadequate water supply were also reported. Moreover, the bathrooms often needed upgrades and better functionality, as some fixtures were either broken or outdated. Despite these setbacks, the general spaciousness and comfort of the rooms, particularly those that are remodeled and modern, leave a positive impression for many visitors.

Beds

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa offers beds that guests generally find to be quite comfortable. Several guests have praised the large size of the beds, which contribute to an overall sense of comfort in the rooms. The hotel’s ambiance is further enhanced by the spacious rooms and a peaceful setting without disruptive noise. While a significant number of visitors have found the beds and pillows to be extremely comfortable, yielding a restful night’s sleep, there are occasional remarks about mattress quality with some mentioning they experienced back pain. Although there are a few comments about the need for better pillows and smaller bath towels, the majority feedback highlights the positive aspects of the bedding, making it a good choice for those seeking comfort during their stay.

Cleanliness

In terms of cleanliness, guest reviews for 'Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa' highlight various concerns. Common complaints include neglected and dirty bathrooms with mold and hairs found in some areas. Windows in both rooms and common spaces were frequently noted as dirty and the lack of cleaning over several days was repeatedly mentioned. The presence of cobwebs, dust and bugs, particularly on balconies and in less maintained outdoor areas, was also a point of dissatisfaction.

Additionally, the hotel furnishings showed significant wear and tear with some items appearing severely degraded and not up to the expected standard for a 4-star hotel. Various maintenance issues were evident, such as stains on windows, curtains, walls and ceilings.

Despite these criticisms, there were mentions of cleanliness in some rooms being satisfactory and the overall comfort being good. However, these positive notes were overshadowed by the widespread cleanliness and maintenance issues reported throughout the hotel.

Staff

The reviews of the staff at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa generally highlight a high level of friendliness and attentiveness. Guests frequently mention the kind and helpful nature of the staff with specific commendations for the receptionists and the employees in the restaurant and spa areas. The staff's friendliness and professionalism are often noted as standout qualities, contributing significantly to the overall guest experience. However, there are occasional mentions of some staff being apathetic, inexperienced or indifferent, particularly during busy times. One particular employee in the breakfast room was described as unpleasant. Despite these few less favorable comments, the majority of reviews reflect positive interactions, praising the staff's welcoming attitude and excellent service. The attention and effort from the staff to meet guests' expectations are evident, making the hospitality a notable aspect of the hotel.

Wi-Fi

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa generally offers a good internet connection. However, some guests experienced issues with WiFi availability in their rooms, including no internet on certain floors and non-functional WiFi passwords. Additionally, internal phone communications were reported as not working and some guests faced problems with malfunctioning televisions and poor television service. The overall WiFi experience seems inconsistent with some guests satisfied while others encountered significant issues.

Spa

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa presents a mixed experience regarding its spa facilities. On the positive side, the remodeled spa area and indoor pool were noted for being quite pleasant with water at good temperatures. Guests have acknowledged that the spa and the outdoor pool exceeded their expectations and some found the overall spa area very good. There is optimism about the ongoing renovations, which seem promising in terms of future improvements, potentially equipping the spa with excellent conditions and comfort.

However, a significant number of reviews highlight operational issues and maintenance problems. Guests reported that the sauna, jacuzzi and jets in the pool were often inactive and the temperature of the spa water was frequently cold. The indoor pool, expected to be heated, also had cold water and there were complaints about the overall spa area being a bit cold and not well maintained. Some guests felt that the spa area is modest and still unfinished. Additionally, the noise from children disrupted the tranquil atmosphere on occasion.

Currently, the spa is under renovation, leading to closures and limited functionality, but it holds promise for becoming a more relaxing and enjoyable space once these works are completed.

Pool

The Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé boasts several attractive pool options with the outdoor and indoor pools receiving ample praise. The outdoor pool, described as stunning and beautifully executed, provides a breathtaking and wonderful view, greatly enhancing the relaxation experience. However, many guests noted the water in the outdoor pool tends to be quite cold, which might be less ideal for those looking for a warmer swim.

The infinity pool, also located outside, is highlighted for its spectacular views and overall appeal, making it a noteworthy feature of the hotel. Despite the occasional cold water, its aesthetics and ambiance seem to leave a positive impression on many visitors.

The indoor pool and jacuzzi receive good remarks as well, being described as excellent, very good and decent. The indoor pool area generally is considered a nice and comfortable spot for guests to unwind. Some guests did mention that both pools were undergoing construction at certain times and sun loungers were not always available by the outdoor pool, which might be a minor inconvenience for some.

Overall, the pools at Hotel & Spa Alfândega da Fé, particularly the infinity pool, stand out as significant highlights, providing a mix of beauty, comfort and stunning views that many guests appreciate.

4 Star

Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa offers an experience that currently falls short of its 4-star rating according to guest feedback. The common consensus is that the hotel is in need of urgent renovations and aesthetic improvements. Many guests noted that the facilities are somewhat degraded and do not align with what one would expect from a 4-star establishment.

One of the most common points raised was the breakfast, which was frequently described as lacking in both variety and quality, failing to meet typical 4-star standards. Guests have mentioned that the hotel does not provide many options, which adds to the overall sense that it doesn't live up to its rating.

Additional comments highlighted cleaning issues and the general outdated condition of the rooms, further suggesting that the hotel is not maintaining the level of quality that its 4-star designation implies. While the hotel retains some positive aspects, the overarching sentiment is that it is a shadow of what it might have been in the past and is in substantial need of requalification to justify its stars.

Indoor Pool

The indoor pool at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa receives mixed feedback, though the positive remarks are quite noteworthy. Guests frequently highlight the warm water with some describing it as very pleasant and facing the afternoon sun, which adds to the experience. Descriptions such as exceptional and incredible indicate a generally favorable opinion. In addition to the pool, the provision of towels and caps is appreciated, enhancing the overall experience. However, there are suggestions for better maintenance and some reviews mention that the water temperature can be on the colder side, occasionally perceived as too cold and there's some feedback about the pool having too much chlorine. Despite these points, the indoor pool is often praised for contributing significantly to a good stay at the hotel.

Yes, Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Infinity Pool, Indoor Pool, Panoramic View Pool.

Yes, a spa is available at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa.

No, Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa.

No, Oca Douro Valley Hotel and Spa doesn't have a gym.

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