Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center

At 169 rooms, Hotel Solverde Spa & Wellness Center is one of the larger hotels within the Solverde collection. Unlike some of the other Solverde properties, this particular hotel does not have an on-site casino, but does have abundant recreational grounds and spa facilities. Beyond the west edge of the grounds is the Atlantic ocean coastline, separated from the hotel by a row of hedges and some railroad tracks (guests do not complain of any noise coming from the tracks). This is pretty much the only beachside hotel in the area with such extensive facilities, which helps it to stand out among the competition. Still, when it comes to style, things are a little underwhelming here. It's equal parts colorful and corporate, though much of the decor looks held over from years past. The loudly patterned carpets clash with the heavy, hardwood furniture and marble pillars, and interiors lack the breezy and bright look that might be more appropriate for a wellness center. Thankfully, some areas of the hotel are more fresh, like the contemporary spa and the terrace. Given the wide range of features, the hotel sees an equal mix of people on vacation or looking to recharge, as well as business guests. 

This hotel is located on a wide (by European standards) two-lane artery that eventually leads south into Espinho, the nearest town. Although the immediate neighborhood doesn’t win any cultural awards -- a BP gas station and a Lidl supermarket are the closest shops -- the beachfront location with pleasant ocean views is certainly a big perk. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the beach via an underground passage -- one has to cross under the railway to reach it. Keep in mind that the beach here is rough, and submerged rocks make it less than perfect for swimming. Espinho is where all the action is and is about a 10-minute drive away. It's home to Casino Espinho (owned by the same group that manages the hotel) as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants. The charismatic city of Porto is a 20-minute drive away, while Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is 30 minutes away from the hotel by car.

The majority of the rooms in this hotel have a business-inclined style that includes dark leather seating and headboards, which are paired with dark wooden desks and bedside tables. The look is softened with twin portraits of flowers perched on the walls, along with striped neutral curtains and bedskirts. They're pleasant enough, but not exactly the picture of a breezy wellness retreat. A small fraction of the rooms -- including some suites are done in a more traditional style -- referencing eras past with elaborately carved Baroque headboards, French armchairs, and other period touches. Even with those charming elements, the heavy bedspread and dark red hues don't look particularly inviting. Bathrooms are an all-marble affair and include a bidet, although some fixtures -- including the hairdryers -- are dated. Expect shower/tub combos in all, some of which come in an unattractive retro blue color. Of the hotel’s 169 rooms, more than two-thirds have balconies and views of the Atlantic coast. All rooms also come with free chocolates on arrival, free bathrobes and slippers, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. 

This hotel is packed with features on both the leisure and business fronts. There are abundant outdoor recreational grounds and extensive spa facilities, which include an ice cabin, a salt steam bath, and a hydrotherapy tub. There are fees to access the spa, and the hotel also has seawater indoor and outdoor pools. Outdoor sports facilities include a crazy golf course, beach volleyball pitch, kids’ playground, tennis courts, and an all-purpose sports field. Indoor facilities include a huge gym with a good variety of cardiovascular and weightlifting machines, a table tennis room, a kids’ club, and a modern conservatory terrace. The downside is that using the recreational features requires a fee. The hotel also has two bars and a coffee shop by the outdoor pool that’s open during high season. The restaurant overlooks the hotel’s pool and gardens and serves Portuguese cuisine. Breakfast is a buffet style with a wide variety of hot and cold foods to select from. The hotel also has 17 different meeting rooms and even a helipad. Each meeting room gets natural light and has views out to the sea or hotel gardens. There is free parking, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.