Chris Q

Review of Eurostar Rio Douro Hotel & Spa

I would have given 5 star if my first night wasn't...

I would have given 5 star if my first night wasn't spent in a room that did not meet expectations.

In terms of quality of service, friendly receptionists, cleanliness of the building and room, comfort, and especially locality it's 2nd to none, absolutely brilliant!

Obviously depending on how far wide you want to go you don't need to take public transport to make your way into the centre as you're pretty much 5 mins walk from the action down the strip... other common destinations are within reasonable walking distance though at times hilly, but this is to be expected and nothing a reasonably fit person can't manage.

My only gripe was that on my 1/3 nights I was given a room that was simply not as advertised... I didn't have a view of the river... just other rooms but most importantly little to none natural light!!

I was disappointing to say the least, you would have no idea how good the weather was outside from that room.

To the receptionist credit she moved me to a new room with a balcony the next day... honestly the difference is night and day, just goregous, some may not like that not all balconys have a direct view from the river from their bed as it's bricked so you won't be able to eat by the balcony and gaze at the view of the river as you simply need to be standing, but not all rooms with a balcony have this problem as some have a gated fence (can't think of the correct term)

If you have the same issue as me and find yourself in a dark room with no view then ask at the reception to be moved.

It's a shame that I had to ask to be moved in the first place because end of the day the room was sold to be with a view of the river.

I have included two pictures below of the 1st room with little natural light 3pm in the day and two of the room with good light taken at midday.