It is a lovely hotel in a luxury garden setting. The main building is authentically decorated, and the staff is friendly and attentive. The beds are comfy. Breakfast is good. The hotel restaurant is pricey, but the food is delicious.

The most luxurious rooms in the hotel are also the noisiest. They overlook the popular garden spot (where some events may run well after midnight) and are located right up the restaurant terrace; the rooms' soundproofing is nearly nonexistent. The cheapest rooms, on the other hand, are located in the new modern building quite far away from the breakfast and dinner facilities.

Surprises await at this charming hotel - beautiful public spaces, furnished with antiques, a stunning outdoor area with a large pool, historic botanical gardens, a highly regarded 'fine' dining room plus an informal dining area, and the list goes on. We stayed in the original palace, in a comfortable room with an adequate bathroom. The hotel is located within a 15 minute or so walk from the historic centre of Coimbra. Highly recommended. It's the facilities and the surrounds of this hotel that makes it a 'standout'.

Nothing of note, although shower over the bath may be an issue for some.

I loved the entire hotel and its grounds. Everything was beautiful and well maintained. The garden was enchanting. The interior of the building was stunning and our room was large and the bathroom as well. Bed was very comfortable and the linens were wonderful. Plenty of room on the bathroom counter! Large closet/safe/ and lovely garden view. They greeted us with a glass of port which was very nice and appreciated. The staff were always professional and polite. The dinner was amazing and the breakfast more than we could ask for. I would love to stay here again!

nothing

This is a hotel of understated grandeur both in its older and more modern buildings. The setting , historically at the site of a romantic legend as well as actually within superb gardens are incomparable. The location, a 10 minute walk to the city centre is perfect. The staff are the most courteous and helpful you could find. The meals in the Bistro restaurant were of high quality and good value, served in this tranquil and most tastefully decorated suite of rooms, like a club or library. The extravagant breakfasts are served in a patio dining area beside the Romantic Garden, where the ducks make their ablutions in the tree-shaded pond as you drink your coffee. The weather was beautiful so the indoor pool was not used but looked to be a pleasant , if relatively small facility, within the spa area. The large, classically rectangular outdoor pool with ample, fresh and comfortable loungers, parasols and a discreet bar was a lovely spot after city tours of a late afternoon. (Don't miss the churches or museums, even a short visit is rewarding). The fascinating history of the place is so intimately bound-up with the story of this city as to make this a rare chance to live in the event. The wealth of art, literature and guidance as to the 14th century tragedy of D.Pedro and D. Inez available on site made for easy appreciation of the facts and legends relating to this aspect of Coimbra's history. As for the bigger historical picture, the staff were very happy and well able to advise on how to make the most of a 2 day visit.

There is nothing that could be faulted. We had a beautiful room, of elegant, clean furnishing, a most comfortable bed and pillows and with 5 windows opening on the gardens, perfect air- conditioning if these were preferred closed, a very well appointed bathroom with bath and shower, complimentary coffee and local liqueur and water.

Wonderful breakfasts with fried eggs or omelets to order, tasty cappucino which, adding to the overall choice, was a very pleasant breakfast feature. The restaurant that, alas, operated only for lunch had a fantastic menu. Weather permitting, the seating outside, apart from great food, offered quite a lot: a shade from huge trees in the garden, greenery throughout and, to top it off, an occasional procession of ducks in-between the tables. The Turkish steam room and sauna are memorable too: clean, in an excellent working order, with many showers and an expansive changing room. The room itself offered a little brook with running water outside and a table with two chairs right across.

One has to prepare to walk or get a taxi to get to the center of Coimbra.

The hotel actually is an estate with a rich history and a large area of garden and golf court. It plays a big part of Coimbra's legend. Even not hanging out, you can enjoy staying in the estate by either exploring the tremendous history stories, or walking through the sophistic garden, or playing sports. The public space of both indoor and outdoor are enough enormous. The staff are super friendly and passionate to delight the guests.

The breakfast would be perfect if they can add a coffee machine to allow the guests to DIY.

Absolutely stunning property in a romantic, historical setting amongst lush gardens and tranquil water canals. Lovely outside pool - but the inside one is beautiful too, with sauna. Gorgeous restaurant and breakfast room, with little ducks waddling about in the morning. The rooms aren’t totally renovated but they shouldn’t be, as they are perfect as they are, functional and with “soul”. Amazing staff, welcoming, helpful and kind.

The hotel isn’t inside the historical center of Coimbra, but it is close. The problem is that the hotel is so beautiful… you don’t feel like leaving!

I can’t wait to return. The breakfasts were the best I’ve ever had in 30 years of business travel. Fresh ingredients, a cook on standby, loads of choices. The hotel is idyllic. The trees in the garden are stunning, the outdoor pool and seating perfect. We were upgraded to a suite with our own garden which was very well appointed. Lovely tiled bath and shower, huge bed, large mini fridge. The communal areas are stylish and feel like an extension of the bedrooms. So unlike many hotels which have great rooms but soulless corridors, staying in this hotel felt like staying in somebody’s private and grand estate. The hotel feels intimate while also providing space inside and out. The golf driving range was fun! It’s about a mile from centre of town which was perfect for us as we got loads of gentle exercise. If we hadn’t wanted to explore though the hotel and grounds and pools would have been enough. The staff operated as a team and were kind, skilled and proactive. I’ve seen some oddly negative comments here and I couldn’t disagree more.

I really can’t think of anything I’d change.

A charming characterful hotel set in delightful tranquil setting. Good sized pool with lots of lounger availability. Good breakfast with omelette station. A fifteen minute walk takes you to restaurants and bars by the river. Advisable to take an Uber or taxi into the city and university area. The famous university library is very impressive-you have to book tickets beforehand. As recommended in the hotel literature Santa Cruz cafe was great, as was La Loggia for lunch. Fine dining hotel restaurant good with vegetarian options.

Room bit musty smelling.

Great facilities, decoration and full of history! Great gardens and surrounded areas. Nice, polite and attentive staff. Super comfy beds, large TV. Good towels, robe and slippers provided. Very clean rooms and the facilities in general. Very good breakfast. Fast check in and check out. Use of spa included in the rate of the room; Secure entrance and free parking.

Couple of suggestions for consideration: No Non- Slip Bath Mat on the bathtub , which is very useful to prevent falls beacause when you use soap, the bathtub becomes very slippery (health and safety-as a Nurse I know this is very important); Window to the outside in the indoor pool could do with a good clean, the only part of the hotel which needed attention, all other areas were spotless; Basic Spa, could do with a hot tub at least;