Built in the 16th century, this beautifully restored manor provides guests with a tranquil ... more
retreat in the historic heart of Viana do Castelo.Combining the best of old and new, Casa Melo Alvim includes 20 individually furnished guest rooms. Enjoy the lu...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: It's got all you need and more Disadvantages: nightlife not as active as you might want
are in Viana, you might also want to look at Ponte de Lima, Âncora, Valença, Cerveira.
They are all within reasonable driving distance.
HOW TO GET THERE
VianadoCastelo is about 60km from Porto, making it very assessible from the airport.
A flight from London to Poro starts from GBP100, and from Manchester starts GBP170 return.
In the airport you can rent a car (advisable), but there are also connesction by bus and taxi to train stations. There is a motorway that will take you to Viana. A taxi fare from the airport to Viana os about 25E.
It is a wonderful city and it will keep you occupied all thoughout. The locals are great and I am in love with it (as you can see). I am visiting three times a year and it is still enchanting.
However, if you expect a place like the Algarve, you will be disappointed.
If you do go there ...
chinesa11 18.03.2004 (29.04.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Viana do Castelo
Advantages: A five-star stay? Disadvantages: ?with just three-star facilities
Why does one like or dislike a hotel? Sometimes the reasons are obvious - a clean, polite place will beat a rude, slovenly one in anyone's book - but sometimes they're not. Naturally, the criteria vary from person to person. In my own case, having stayed at literally hundreds of hotels in my time, I still find it difficult to pinpoint what makes the crucial difference.
Size matters, but it isn't everything. Even quite large hotels can sometimes prove pleasant to stay in. Ownership matters. Generally, independent hotels are better than those managed by chains because they are less typecast and their owners care more than employee-managers do, but there are exceptions: I've even stayed at Hiltons I've enjoyed, whilst some family-run places (à la Fawlty Towers) are the pits. Facilities and décor matter, but tasteful ...
Advantages: Location, style, welcome, comfort, facilities, food, value Disadvantages: None, except to those who might prefer swankiness and flunkeys
You know you?ve hit on a real gem of a hotel when you?re in two minds whether or not to write the review. On the one hand you want to express your enthusiasm and give the place the benefit of a little well-deserved publicity. On the other hand, the more you disclose the more over-subscribed it might turn out to be the next time you want to go there yourself. And in the case of the Casado Visconde at Chanceleiros, I shall definitely want to go again. My stay there was among the most enjoyable I?ve had anywhere, and I?ve stayed in a lot of places.
This judgement does need to be put in the context that I have a slightly individual taste in hotels, tending to prefer the small and independent to the large and chain-corporate. Also, whilst some people delight in the deference of others and enjoy being waited on hand ...
