Torel Avantgarde

“Exceptional stay in Porto. The hotel itself is very nicely designed, but if there are three things to highlight here, I have to say 1. Staff is fantastic, going above and beyond to make our stay pleasant 2. The restaurant, both for the breakfast where the quality of food, fruit, diversit... and 3. The view :) from the breakfast and pool area. Would highly recommended and would return. Thank you for a lovely stay.”

“I stayed at this hotel for two nights. While it is marketed as a five-star property, my experience did not reflect the standards I would expect from a hotel in this category. In my opinion, it is closer to a four-star hotel. The room cleanliness was below expectations. During housekeeping, some trash was left behind in the bathroom, which should not happen in a luxury hotel. We were also charged for pods left in the room without being informed in advance that they were not complimentary. Transparency regarding additional charges should be much clearer. The room itself was quite small for the price paid. The balcony, however, was pleasant and offered a beautiful view, which was definitely one of the highlights of our stay. Soundproofing was another disappointment. We could clearly hear guests walking and moving around in the room above us, as well as noise coming from the corridor. For a hotel claiming five-star standards, I expected a much quieter and more comfortable environment. The room amenities were rather limited. There were no complimentary creams, toiletries beyond the essentials, snacks, or other thoughtful details that are commonly found in four- and especially five-star hotels. Small touches often make a significant difference in the overall guest experience. Breakfast was good, with a satisfactory selection and quality. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to use the spa or swimming pool, so I cannot comment on those facilities. The location is one of the hotel’s strengths. It offers beautiful views and is only a 10-minute walk from the city center, allowing guests to enjoy the area without being immersed in the noise and crowds. The biggest disappointment, however, was the service. The staff were consistently serious and distant, creating an atmosphere that felt cold rather than welcoming. Hospitality is not only about facilities; it is also about making guests feel comfortable and valued. During our stay, we often felt observed rather than welcomed. Furthermore, we were told that our car would be brought out of the garage early on the morning of our departure to facilitate check-out. However, no one assisted us, and we ultimately had to retrieve the vehicle ourselves. Overall, this was not the level of experience I expect from a five-star hotel. There are positive aspects, particularly the location, the views, and the breakfast, but the service, attention to detail, room standards, and overall hospitality fall short of what a luxury property should provide. As someone who works in the hospitality industry, I believe there is considerable room for improvement, particularly in guest care and service culture.”

“I have nothing but positive remarks about this amazing hotel. We were looked after from the moment we arrived to when we left. Everyone there was friendly and wanting to make our experience the best ever. We were upgraded to one of the suites which was a nice surprise. The hotel is located centrally and so it is easy to walk from, but it is also elevated such that you feel you are away from the hustle and bustle of this lovely city. We also really enjoyed the various facilities including the gym, pool and spa. The breakfasts were amazing not to mention the ability to sit outside and enjoy the view of the river and the city. Thank for you such a restful tour of Porto. We will definitely return to this city and this amazing hotel plays a massive role in our decision to come back.”

“From the moment we stepped out of the taxi, we were warmly welcomed with a drink and genuine hospitality. The level of service throughout our stay was exceptional, with a clear focus on ensuring our comfort and happiness. We stayed in the “Charlie Chaplin” room, which offered stunning views over the Douro River in Porto—truly a highlight of our visit. Breakfast was equally enjoyable, not only for the varietal food but also for the beautiful views over the city. The staff were attentive and made sure every detail was taken care of. The pool area was nice and relaxing, providing a perfect place to unwind. We ended up staying at this hotel due to unforeseen circumstances, as our original hotel was not yet finished. In hindsight, it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Overall, the outstanding service across all staff members made this a true five-star experience.”

“We stayed 2 times at this hotel recently and it was fabulous. The first room we had was the Coco Channel room - on the smaller side but with a super big bath overlooking the city and river - really a great view. The 2nd room we had was the Leonardo da Vinci room - much larger and also with a terrace and jacuzzi. Both rooms very lovely indeed. The service and staff were also excellent. We had not booked for the first stay as we had planned to head up the Douro valley. But our plane was late so we called and asked if they had a room at short notice. Erika told us to come and gave us the coco channel room. Super. All the staff were friendly, and also young and dynamic. We'll certainly stay there again the next time we're in Porto. Highly recommend.”