Pousada Vila Real Santo Antonio

My wife and I spent two great nights here. The location is A++ and so is the charm of the hotel, the friendliness of the staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and the breakfast. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the bathrooms modern and well equipped. Beds are big and comfortable, albeit a tad harder than what we were used to yet never uncomfortable. Parking in the streets near the hotel wasn't a problem in the evenings. Definitely planning on returning to this welcoming venue!!

This is such a great find! Firstly I have to compliment the amazing staff - happy and friendly! The hotel is set in the main square of VRSA and has 2 buildings. We checked into the main building, but we were staying across the square next to the church. The hotel is beautiful and mixes the old with modern in a perfect way. We stayed over the Easter weekend and were treated to a beautiful handmade chocolate, packet of flor de sal and a handwritten note delivered to our rooms. Breakfast was lovely - fresh and plentiful.

Great location, very comfortable & relaxed stay. At breakfast could have had more veggie &/or vegan options too hand.

This is a lovely property in an excellent location. The heritage building has been renovated sensitively, and I suspect recently. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed. The staff are friendly, attentive and helpful. The breakfast included was excellent. The price, at least in November, was very reasonable.

The hotel is situated right in the main square. The rooms are comfortable, and there is a nice bar and cosy restaurant area. Excellent breakfast of cold meats/cheese. Yoghurt with homemade fruit jams, muesli, cooked breakfast and a selection of pastries and cakes. The only downside is finding somewhere to park close by. Much of the street parking seemed to be for residents only ( if I understood the signs correctly). There are car parks but be prepared to walk.

There is something special about Portuguese Pousadas and Pousada Vila Real Santo Antonio is no exception. Usually (mostly?), Pousadas are re-purposed historical buildings so they are historic, often elaborate, always interesting on the outside and clean, modern, and efficient on the inside. The Pousada of Vila Real Santo Antonio is just such a place. It’s on either side of and overlooking the town square. The main entrance is on the south end of the square and is fairly nondescript. The façade fits the architecture of the other buildings on the square (except for the church) and it even has almost-treasury roofs. As soon as you enter, you are in the midst of comfort and quaintness. Fun art on the walls too. The front desk/concierge was delightful: knowledgable, friendly, funny, patient, and extremely helpful. It’s often the people who staff where you stay that makes the stay memorable, and she was no exception. In fact, everyone we met were like this. Also, they are very young! We thought they couldn’t possibly be good at their jobs, but we were proven wrong. Breakfast is served in shifts due to the small size of the room. The breakfast is just the opposite: expansive, varied, and quite good. There are two coffee-making machines, but if you prefer something fancy, the staff are all too happy to accommodate you. They bend over backwards to make sure you stay is pleasant and enjoyable. The room we had was simple. It was very clean and modern: large TV; firm, comfortable bed; our windows opened out on a side street with a view of the lighthouse. The wi-fi is fast. The ONLY downside is the free parking lot is about a 5 minute walk from the Pousada. And since the sidewalks in the historic part of Vila Real de Santo Antonio are cobbled (large calçadas), dragging a wheeled suitcase would be difficult and obnoxious. Would we go again? You betcha! Many things to see and do, & places to explore (like the lighthouse or the marina and the mall museum of the sardine and tuna industries that were started in that town). But the most compelling reason to return is the staff and the experience of the Pousada Vila Real Santo Antonio.