Standard Twin Room
from $112
Golden Tulip Porto Gaia Hotel & Spa
4.0 out of 5.0
49% based on 253 reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
Recent guest reviews
This hotel is about 20m from the sea front, so the rooms have views of the beach. The staff are friendly. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Breakfast was ok: fresh fruit, selection of breads, cheese, ham etc and cooked options like eggs and bacon. Gym doesn't open until 10 which was annoying as I like to exercise before breakfast, but you can run along the seafront instead. Perfect location if you want to stay by the beach, 5km from town centre but not hard to get to.
Previously known as CasaBranca, now although tired and wilting slightly it's obvious superb quality from its past glory still carries it through. Un obtrusive extremely pleasant helpful reception staff. Spotless well sized rooms at a great location were only spoiled by the miserable surely spa attendant. I don't expect beaming sunshine smiles, however a simple reply to a client wishing you good day in your own language should at least receive a response. However, we would not hesitate to stay here again.
Hotel very close to ocean, good price per room but the balcony supposed to be more cleaned. Maybe it was before season so they didnt have time. Parking very close to the hotel. Was staying just one night. Vey good breakfast.
We have stayed here many times - both when it was family owned and more recently taken over by the Golden Tulip. When it was owned by the family it did fall into disrepair and the new management have tried very hard to update the hotel. Many rooms have been refurbished and now have lovely walk in showers - the dining room is more spacious and the general cleanliness is excellent. We stayed here again just over a week ago and had a lovely time - the location is perfect, sandy beaches just across the road, bars, restaurants, snack bars and easy access to public transport all on hand. The breakfast was good with plenty of choice, although we had hoped they would purchase a coffee machine, and they did, but we could not figure out how to operate it so gave it a miss - bring back the vacuum flasks! The staff are young, but very helpful, especially Andrea on reception. We did not use the spa or eat in the restaurant so cannot comment but we noticed they had a daily tourist menu of 3 courses for a reasonable price. Each room has a balcony and sitting there in the evenings watching the waves splashing over the rocks of the Atlantic ocean is nothing but spectacular. Housekeeping were particularly stretched and we found our room not made up on a few days at 4pm which we were a little disappointed about and there seemed to be a shortage of clean towels. The bus journey into Porto takes about 45 minutes where there is easy access to the metro. We cannot wait to go back. Thank you to all at the Golden Tulip for making our stay so pleasant.
This hotel is located a stone's throw away from the beach with many of the rooms looking out to the beach and sea. There is a Lidl and other European supermarket within walking distance as well as ATM machines. Unfortunately, you cannot exchange money at the hotel reception. There is also bus stop right outside the hotel, which can take you into central Porto for 2 euros each way. The lift works well as well as the wireless internet. We did have a power cut in our visit but this affected all the local hotels and was rectified after a few hours. The "garden" is astroturf with a couple of loungers in it. It isn't really the peaceful place I imagined - you're better off walking two minutes to the beach if you want to relax. The breakfast is continental and very good and there is always plenty available. We did not use the car park but there appeared to be plenty of spaces. There were also some TV channels broadcasting British programmes, which was nice. The air conditioning was not functional - it circulated air but in no way cooled down the room. The "balcony" was more of a conservatory (there is a roof and windows) and the roof of our "balcony" leaked leaving green water on the tiled floor. The room itself was spacious with plenty of wardrobe space and large bed. The bathroom featured both a shower and bath, which was nice for choice. There were also excursions that could be easily arranged through reception. The swimming pool was small (and indoors), the jacuzzi did not have bubbles unless you flicked a switch but this wasn't manned so you had to use your own initiative!
Lovely, comfortable stay, good location, excellent service from staff. Recommend you try the restaurant. A short walk to the water front, nice fora stroll in either direction particularly towards the mouth of the river. Hotel provides cycle hire as do a number of nearby locations.
We stayed here for a week from 8th March. We had a room on the 4th floor with stunning sea views. Our room was refurbished with a fully tiled bathroom and lovely walk in shower, the room was large, with a huge comfortable bed. The location is perfect for long walks along the coast to the left of the hotel and the Douro river to the right. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in both directions, we enjoyed fresh fish at a Portuguese restaurant on the Douro river called Pedra Furada Tasca Tavern. We used the spa which is in need of a refurb but was lovely to have a swim, sauna, and jacuzzi after lots of walking. The hotel is undergoing a refurbishment and there is noise at times. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely return.
Just home from an amazing 3night stay. Room was lovely and the view stunning. All the staff were friendly, attentive and couldnt do enough for us. The area is great as you get the best of both worlds, sea views and an easy 20min bus ride (no. 11 was best) into the main attractions. Cant recommend enough, we are already planning our next visit!
Had a fantastic stay at the Golden Tulip Hotel with an ocean view from the room. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Excellent links to Porto (Trindade) via Cais de Gaia on number 11 bus - approx 20 mins. Didn't have a chance to check out the spa/pool facilities as there were too many things to do/see in Gaia and Porto! Maybe next time!
First impressions count, and when arriving at The Golden Tulip the frontage is quite disappointing! There is a lot of algae on the mosaic in front of the entrance & the planters and decorative walls are in desperate need of some attention!! The reception area whilst old is welcoming, and staff are extremely pleasant & helpful. The bedroom was really nice, with a view of the ocean from a large balcony, large comfortable (twin) beds, a nice large wardrobe & seperate toilet & bathroom with a bath + shower. Food is always important, with the breakfast dining room a tad 'soul-less' (no restaurant service acyually in the hotel), however, the self-serve buffet is nice apart from the 'hot' food always seeming to be 'just warm' The restaurant is detached and called ,The Restaurant Branco'. AVOID!, food is poor & overpriced with 'stiff', waiting staff!!!!
Hotel highlights
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Onsite dining
- Spa
Located within a leisurely stroll of Lavadores Beach, Golden Tulip Porto Gaia Hotel & Spa is within a few miles (5 km) of Cockburn Smithes Cellars. This 57-room, 4-star hotel has a restaurant, a full-service spa, and an indoor pool. Sandeman Cellars and Museum of Port Wine are also near this Vila Nova de Gaia hotel.
Dining
This hotel serves as home to a restaurant, which has ocean views and specializes in Portuguese cuisine, along with a bar. Savor a meal from the privacy of your room with 24-hour room service, or get a pick-me-up at the coffee shop/café. Start each morning with buffet breakfast, available for a fee from 7 AM to 10:30 AM.
Rooms
All 57 air-conditioned rooms feature minibars, safes, and phones. Guests can expect free WiFi and TVs with cable channels. Bathrooms offer hair dryers, designer toiletries, and bidets. Desks are also available.
Property features
Guests of Golden Tulip Porto Gaia Hotel & Spa enjoy a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and a health club. There's free parking, and an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) for EUR 35 per vehicle one way. The front desk has multilingual staff on hand 24/7 to help with dry cleaning/laundry, tours or tickets, and luggage storage. Other amenities at this beach hotel include a spa tub, a sauna, and free WiFi in public areas.
Reviews from Trip Advisor
49% of guests recommend this hotel
Total of 253 reviews
