Vila Gale Douro Vineyards

Beautiful location, clean, nice pool, buffets for dinner and breakfast, wine-tasting. LILIANA WAS FABULOUS! She’s an absolute riot and very helpful.

Stood at reception waiting to check in for over twenty minutes and we weren’t even acknowledged. Yes, staff was busy, but it would have been nice to be greeted and made to feel comfortable. Booking for dinner was very late (9 pm); we asked if there was anything earlier and were told no. The restaurant was half-empty from 7 to 9 pm. Fortunately, we talked to the right person in the late afternoon and got moved to 7 pm. By 9 pm, the place was almost deserted.

I really liked the location in the vineyards. The room was comfortable and well appointed. The terrace with a view of the terraced vineyards was beautiful. The breakfast was great, snack bar and outside seating with view was wonderful.

When we arrived we were given a room steps from the busy pool on the ground level. The entire wall of that room, facing the pool, was glass so there was no privacy in that room. We switched rooms immediately. I wish the staff member would have given us the choice from the beginning to decline that room. We clearly had no interest in the pool as we declined the pool towels we were offered at check-in. We were given another room with a view and terrace which was great. Just be aware if you want more privacy and a view of the hills across the Douro River--tell them from the beginning you don't want a pool room. In regards to the layout of the hotel....it was fine for us but this is not a place for someone who has mobility issues. There are no elevators and flights of stairs everywhere. There are many outside stairs getting to rooms, the restaurant, snack bar etc. Also since it's on the side of the hill there is no large parking area. Parking is first come, first serve and consists of trying to park along side of the small road on a hill with a drop off on one side. Again, fine for us, but I saw guests with mobility issues having a horrible time getting around. If you are a nervous driver...also not the place for you since getting up and down from this hotel is not the easiest.

Beautiful location

Pool bar service

The view

There issues started with Booking.com management of a room upgrade. They ended up canceling my reservation without warnings. Even though it was cancelled there was still a charge with no sign of refund. Once I called the hotel, they told me to solve it with Booking, which I tried. After finally managing to speak to a Booking.com operator, they said they sent a notification to the hotel, which the hotel said they didn't receive, Booking asked me to ask the hotel to reach out to them and solve it btwn both companies . Once at the hotel, we asked the receptionist to call Booking.com to talk to them directly, she argued that I had to manage this and that they were not involved, there was no wiliness at all to help me to solve the issue. She ended up calling them, against her wish, but couldn't get it solved. I had to call Booking again. I talked to someone who knew what was doing and finally instructed the receptionist how to cancel the reservation from the hotel's end, so I could get the refund of what was paid and make a new booking. After everything was settled the receptionist became hospitable. The family room was good enough, the dinner that was part of the half board option, was very poor and disappointing. Few options, budget average food, flavorless, small quantities and not up to a 4 star hotel.