Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa

"This hotel is an excellent value. The staff is helpful and attentive to requests. The rooms are comfortable, clean, and quiet (even when there is a loud festival going on downstairs), the AC in the rooms is cold, bathrooms clean with huge, soft towels, and the breakfast offerings are above average, especially if you have an allergy. The Gluten Free options at breakfast are among the best we've ever encountered with an assortment of sealed and delicious croissants, muffins, baguettes, seedy breads, and a fresh-made gluten-free cake daily. Plus an omelette bar and lots of fresh fruit and cheese. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is a delicious. The staff is always available to check ingredients for any dish to help you navigate allergens. The club lounge for those with status offers fresh fruit bowls, assorted pastries, and soft drinks from 10 AM onwards daily and a happy hour each evening. The lounge staff went above and beyond preparing a gluten-free feast for me the second night after having few gluten-free options the first night, including 2 delicious desserts, 3 starters, and 2 mains. It was all delicious and carefully made gluten-free. The gym is also above-average with arm and leg machines, free weights, on-demand video classes, and other gym equipment across 2-3 rooms. We did not try the pool--be aware that it is an additional fee (we saw no one trying it). This hotel is an 8-10 minute walk to the tram or the bus, which is very convenient to many places downtown or along the coast. Public transportation in Porto is well connected and convenient. I highly recommend the Adante 1- or 3-day public transportation cards, which can be purchased at the tourist desk in the airport upon arrival (and are not available in the ticket machines by the train). These cards include unlimited public transportation in all zones for 24- or 72-hours and are cheaper than the regular one-day passes and work well with this hotel. The hotel is also a short walk to the Botanical Gardens which offer a maze of beautiful plants and fountains, though the sound of traffic interrupts the tranquillity in some spots."

"Coming from the hospitality industry, we found this hotel needs major customer service skills training. The Fri t desk staff need training to acknowledge guests when they walk by the front desk. They act like they are better than everyone else. Wow. Just a simple “Good Morning” can brighten peoples day. Get with the Marriott Program. I am sure the manager has the same trope of attitude and that is why it is running thru all of his or her staff. Additionally, we found it very petty to charge a fee for using the hotel pool. A cup a hot milk for our little child was $9. This was more than the Ritz charges. I guess they are desperate to make and save enough money to get their 1970’s carpeting replaced. Would not return."

"Very nice hotel in a quiet area. Easy to get to by taxi, a good distance from main areas for a long sightseeing walk. Breakfast was very good with an excellent selection of all the breakfast items you would expect. Rooms are spacious with lots of features, comfy beds, nice toiletries, safety deposit box. Shower tray tends to be a bit slippy. Used the bar and service was very good. Lots of attentive service from reception staff, doorman, breakfast staff. One negative point had to be the pool. On booking, had not checked or noticed that pool/ spa had to be booked and paid for separately. Never before encountered this in a 5 star hotel."