We have visited PraiaGolfe before as it is only 45 minutes from Porto airport and lets us unpack and get in a leisurely day before other commitments in the country.
This time a wonderful room on the 7th floor and the beach and ocean as far as the eye can see.
It was good to be welcomed by the same lady on reception and to assistance with the bags and parking.
We look forward to returning soon.
If you want to go back in time, that's the place! The frontage looks really old and the interior doesn't help. The service was really good and the staff quite hospitable.
That's the only positive aspect, the rest is not worth a 4 stars hotel. Only one small pillow, room that looks like a 2 stars max.
I'm not used to be mean with my comments especially when the staff is great but guys come on do some refurbishment!
Return visit to this hotel. Restaurant/Breakfast room has been tastefully refurbished to give a much better atmosphere, with a good value buffet type menu. It is a pity that this offer is only available in the main holiday months. Improved access to the sun deck and added bar facility is great. As always, reception and bar staff are excellent (especially the two Antonio's). This hotel has a great location, on the beach and within easy walk of the town and restaurants. Updating of some areas and rooms is still required, but great progress. Looking forward to a return visit.
The Hotel Praia golf was really good, the location was great as well. My room was exactly in front of sea (sea view room). I was expecting a normal room, but the receptionist of this hotel was so kind and nice guys, they offered us a really romantic room with sea view, and great conditions (the sea view from the room is attached).
I really recommend this hotel. The location and place and staff members was really great. Also, there is a nice bar just next to the hotel and by the beach, as I attached the picture.
This hotel was chosen by another family member and is not something I would choose myself, so was apprehensive about having to stay here.
Cons:
- No family rooms - had to book separate rooms for kids so worked out very expensive for 5 nights.
- Some of our group's rooms were extremely dated (early 1980's), torn wallpaper, cracks, old tv's, broken furniture, despite paying extra for a 'premium' room - seriously, it looked like something from 'The Shining'! Reception informed us that the room rate relates to the view; city, lateral sea or frontal sea view. So beware, you might get one of the unrefurbished rooms, even if paying for a more expensive option.
- The pool is 'free' to use, as are the sauna and steam room, however, you will be charged €4 for a swimming cap from the spa reception as you 'must' wear one to use the facilities (however I saw numerous guests without caps after shelling out €12 for swimming caps)
- The bathrooms are adequate, but dated, the refurbishment consists of some tile paint covering the old dusky pink floor and wall tiles.
- The balcony doors to rooms are not sliding which means you can't leave the door open to hear the ocean or let in a breeze as the door constantly bangs against the window due to the stronger winds higher up. Had to close the door and use air con every night.
Pros:
- The reception and restaurant staff are GREAT, most speak excellent english, they are professional, friendly and extremely accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble and they were happy to fulfill any query and assist with anything that our group asked.
- The updated rooms - If you are lucky enough to get a refurbished room (luckily we did or the holiday would've been ruined) then the price is more tolerable for what is on offer. Regardless of room quality they were all very clean.
- The service that is included with your room - breakfast buffet is plentiful with a wide choice available; including pastries, rolls and breads, fresh fruit, hot food, cheese and cold cuts, yogurt, cereal, juices and a wide range of hot drinks, incl. hot chocolate. You can take breakfast to your room, and the buffet is frequently topped up during breakfast time. Housekeeping is also offered every day - linens are changed, loo roll restocked, and room is hoovered and tidied. Room service was good quality and cheap.
- Although old, the hotel was obviously a premium accommodation back in its heyday and still has some nice features - spiral staircase, deco styling and marble throughout.
- Hotel wifi is complimentary and excellent - some people had a connection a way down the promenade! Important for the teenagers and staying in touch if in a large group!
The hotel turned out to be better than I was expecting, as for Espinho I wouldn't visit again. The beach is nice enough and right in front of the hotel, but you are banned from swimming in the sea there, which can be disappointing if you have swum in more choppy waters around Cornwall and Wales etc...The casino is overpriced, the food and prices vary all around town, the Monday market was straight out of the 80's - although the food section was good, shops, incl. mini marts are closed from 1-3pm each day.
It's very quiet and good for families but I would definitely say that Espinho is a 'local place for local people' kind of town - one of the least friendliest places I've been (and I live in London!) - we were often laughed at when attempting the basic Portuguese we had learned in preparation and most people don't speak english, so you may find it frustrating unless you are at atleast conversational level of the language.
If looking for somewhere to eat I would recommend Crystal's buffet (which is behind the hotel, across the road) the food was varied and of excellent quality as well as being very cheap, with great staff, some of who speak english - service was excellent. I would also recommend visiting Porto - train station is 2 mins from hotel and for €2.60 you can get a return ticket to the central station there, train service is excellent and Porto is a great city - very friendly atmosphere, lovely architecture and a nice shopping district. Also, be sure to visit Aipal bakery on Rua 19, which is open until 4am, if you love pastries and cream cakes - just a few minutes walk from the hotel.
The hotel needs so much work! The staff is very friendly especially the front desk however, every think is so old! The bathrooms, the rooms, the halls are all dark and dingy. Not necessarily dirty, just old. The indoor pool is steamy hot and in my opinion it's unreasonable to mandate guests wear a swimming cap to use the pool. It has such great potential with a terrific view of the ocean and a great location!
