Novotel Porto Gaia

Portugal , Porto and North of Portugal
VILA NOVA DE GAIA, Rua Martir São Sebastião - Afurada
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100 reviews shown

6/10

Pleasant

11 Mar 2026

Suzie

The room was clean but I would deffo say the hotel needs an update very dated. Very close to shopping centre. Great that offered free car parking very comfy room

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

03 Nov 2025

Ahmed zaki

Good in general

2/10

Poor

13 Oct 2025

Andrea

Room booked was not as advertised. Safe was broken and had to wait to get it fixed. AC did not work in the room. The sink and shower did not drain properly. The toilet stopped flushing, we let front desk know before we went for dinner and they said it would be fixed. When we got back, nothing was done and the person at the front seat did not know anything. There was a bug in the bed. We asked for a refund and was going to book another hotel and they wouldn’t refund us. Did not compensate for anything. Not worth the money to stay there and would not suggest this hotel to anyone.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Oct 2025

Nancy

The hotel states to have air con but it doesn’t work. Had to change my room but still wouldn’t work, and is the temperature is controlled by the hotel not from your room, the rooms where extremely hot all the time, not a good night of sleep.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2025

David

If you are visiting Porto with a car this is the place to stay. Easy parking. Close to the old city. We drive into the old Porto at night and got lucky with parking but if I had to do it again I would uber it in and walk around. The sunset from this property is stunning. Stunning over the Atlantic. Hotel was very comfortable.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

23 Sep 2025

Ludovico

very dated ! no coffee in rooms , restaurant very limited food and very expensive , staff doesn't speak english
i would not recommend or stay again

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

22 Sep 2025

VICTOR

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jul 2025

Amanda

The staff was great! However, the hotel restaurant had limited food options and the price was expensive. The hotel room was very small and outdated.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2025

Michelle

Great place to stay with parking if you are driving up from Lisbon to Porto. Quick Uber to the Riberia area of Porto

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Jul 2025

Laura

It was okay

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2025

Andrei

I likes everything about my stay

Leisure Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

21 Apr 2025

Paulo

We arrived late to find a rough and dirty room. It was hot and the AC was not working. The staff couldn't provide a fan. We slept eith the windows open but there was no wind and the room was very hot. The sofa bed broke two of its support planks and I had to sleep in a hole and no support for my hips. When we woke up there was a bed bug filled with blood crawling next to my son, which probably fed on him through the night. We just packed our things and left, 8 hours after checking in. Worst hotel experience I had in my life. They refused to refund me for the night.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

08 Sep 2024

Rohit

To provide some context I’m a Marriott person however in Portugal, Marriott would not allow a family of 4 to stay in 1 room. Therefore I booked Novotel in Gaia as they allowed it. Note I was coming from the Novotel from Lisbon (which I give it a 4 star and overall was very pleased with my stay) to the Novotel in Gaia/Porto, I was very disappointed (the service, room and overall ambience of this hotel is below Novotel standards especially when comparing to Lisbon). I read mixed reviews before booking but took the risk. This is at best a 2 star hotel with a very dated look and feel which is in need of serious upgrade. The rooms were small, very dated and the washroom was very uncomfortable. The vibe and feel is no where near a 4 or even 3 star hotel. The breakfast was decent though and the pool looked to be clean as families were enjoying it seemed compared to prior reviews I read. Also the location is away from all the action. I booked 4 nights at this hotel and within few hours of checking in I cancelled the rest of my stay and booked an Airnb in downtown Porto (Reiberio) walking distance to all the key sites and was a 2 bedroom apartment and was awesome. To confirm I stayed here for only 1 night. The front desk (Maria) was kind enough to cancel my reservation and was helpful. However if you are traveling with your family and want to enjoy a better experience? I would not recommend Novotel Gaia. If you are on a budget then this hotel might serve your purpose.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

16 Aug 2024

lyndon

Pool is small and crowded but fine and not many in Porto.
BBQ night was poor. Should have gone out.
Room was fine.
Location is short Uber to everywhere but not mention walkable.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2024

DAMARIS watiri

Beautiful hotel.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2024

Michael

Good value, but site only accessible by car.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2024

MAXFORD

Close to lots of places of interest.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Jul 2024

Ummul

Air conditioning was not good

8/10

Excellent

01 Jul 2024

Carl

Quiet and out of the way. Don’t expect city center, but Uber helps a lot. Breakfast was the same every day, save for one item (main) that changes.

You can’t bring your room towel to the pool. You have to buy a pool towel. It’s the hotel rule. I bought two. Guess what? You see many people who don’t follow that rule. They blatantly have their room towels out. Odds they enforcement of the rule? No.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Jun 2024

Catia

Nice hôtel with amazing breakfast.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

23 May 2024

Richard

The staff are great but the building is dated and could use an update. The location is isolated so it is necessary to drive to find restaurants.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2024

Verified traveler

I recommend it

Nice days to stay in this hotel
Close to downtown

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

02 May 2024

Jonathan

Good little hotel and facilities for young children. We had a lovely stay and would return. Only downside was the room was a bit small for the four of us but then again we were out and about for most of the days. Location good and only a €4 Uber ride into the old town

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

16 Apr 2024

Marium

A/C was not working properly. Room was not comfortable.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2024

Mahtab

Good

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

25 Feb 2024

Deepu

Not Novotel standard

Hotel desperately need renovation.

Rooms and mattress we well used condition

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2024

Lisa

Recommended for families

Very nice experience, great location and friendly staff

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2024

felicia

Lovely staff very friendly and helpfull !!

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

17 Oct 2023

Mark

Tub was not safe to get in and out of. Way too high off ground.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2023

Alastair

Nice hotel, although not so easy to get to if you don't have a car.

8/10

Excellent

27 Sep 2023

Ivania

The staff had a weird rude attitude throughout our stay. It isn’t exactly the nearest from the main area in Porto, but it worked for us for what we needed it.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

09 Sep 2023

DIANNA

My family enjoyed the amenities of the hotel. It’s was a little disappointment to came to our room and not found it clean, specially the bathroom.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

08 Sep 2023

Paulo

Very good

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Sep 2023

Sebastien

Staff was really nice, the room ok but the air conditioning was not perfectly working and was very slow. Pool was often crowded and we had an electricity shortage in the night and in the morning. I don’t know the cause but it tainted a little our stay.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2023

Andrea

Great overall experience! The staff, grounds and food have all been great! Would stay again :)

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2023

Shannon

Courteous waitstaff, great pool area, and great dining options.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jul 2023

Gudny

As it is a family hotel, they play music by the poolside way too loud!

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2023

Marcella

8/10

Excellent

27 Jun 2023

Fabio

Pros: awesome breakfast, very friendly staff and front desk, kids/family friendly, good location (10 min drive to downtown Porto). The hotel and rooms are very clean (except pool, see below).
Cons: the property needs to some renovation, in particular the rooms/bathrooms need to be updated/refreshed. The swimming pool needs to be cleaned more often.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2023

Davis

The property is well maintained and staff is very helpful. We had our 2 kids with us and the sofa bed was great. We enjoyed our stay!

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

29 May 2023

Marcus Peter

The hotel staff and public areas were acceptable as a 3 star level hotel but not the claimed 4. Room 115 however was 2 star at best. Old, tired, broken bedside table, just well past it’s best. The dinner buffet was much like the room! Breakfast however was better and again acceptable at a 3 star level business hotel. This hotel needs considerable investment as it’s reached the end of its life in this form.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2022

Rachel

A wonderful hotel

I love this hotel because it has a wide-open reception and a children's play area next to it so whenever we visit my daughter always makes a friend or enjoys the play area in the summer you'll have a warm pool which unlike other porto pools - the staff are super friendly and they really go out of their way and the breakfast was so nice and also I really love the outside play area and can't recommend this hotel enough

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2022

Ryan

We have stayed at Novotel before. Breakfast is always on point and with 2 hunger teenagers a must. We also had an issue with the size of the bed as they had been advertised. The management simply gave us a second room at no cost to fix the issue. We’ll stay again for sure.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

16 Oct 2022

Kevin

The rooms are all sprayed stucco. old furniture, There is no place to eat in the immediate area so your forced to eat there overpriced buffet. The staff was very friendly and kind! Not your Porto vacation hotel!

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

06 Oct 2022

Rosalia

Maybe 2 stars

Not a 4 stars hotel. Old carpet and mildew in the bathroom.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Aug 2022

Tanya

Property was clean and updated (basics) and staff was great at reception. Restaurant staff, not so much. Ordered a drink while waiting to check in as we had issues (no passports) and staff took forever to bring the drinks and I had to run them down to pay. A bit pricey, went out to eat instead.
Other then the fact I didn’t have passports ( something I missed when reading). Everything went well

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2022

Long Yi Phoebe

Excellent service

Staffs are very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

30 Jul 2022

Konrad

In a close proximity to all the attractions

Wery pleasant, convenient location.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

28 Jul 2022

Gisele

The hotels air conditioning was not working! Hotel knew about the issue and didn’t advise upon checking in. Didn’t provide alternative such as fans. The hotel has 1 iron for the entire hotel. Location was great but it felt more like a holiday in! I would give it 2 stars.

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

24 Jul 2022

Roberto

the air conditioner in the room was bad

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

19 Jul 2022

Verified traveler

Not a 4-star hotel

The bathrooms are particularly dirty, sink didn’t really drain, and shower wasn’t exactly hot. Even stained furniture in the room. Air conditioning wasn’t cold. This isn’t a 4-star hotel.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jul 2022

Gabriel

We like everything !!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jun 2022

Manoel

It is a great hotel for family

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2022

Verified traveler

Great place to stay in Porto!

We only stayed for one night but the staff was really nice and helpful.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2022

cristina

Great place to stay close to Porto.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

17 Apr 2022

Alexander

Ample parking and excellent dining options. Air conditioning did not work and the staff made no effort to exchange rooms or fix the problem.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Apr 2022

Marco Antonio

Good hotel, excelente service, but.....

The hotel is great, the service is excelente, but the air conditioning in the room was not working properly. I complained it, but no solution was provided.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2022

Gian

Service was great and hotel was in good conditions. Unfortunately it was further than expected from the port of Gaia and Porto.

Business Family

8/10

Excellent

15 Dec 2021

Gilson

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2021

Michael

Very friendly for a large group hotel

Service always great, rooms a bit old but very clean, comfortable, breakfast has a selection to satisfy all tastes.

Business

8/10

Excellent

09 Sep 2020

Veronica Patricia

Great stay at Porto in summer

Short stay but great. Next to shopping mall with hospital too. Pool and breakfast perfect also due covid rules. Access to the hotel by car needs your full attention since the street is small and next to a curve in the highway. First time you will due a retour then you will get it. Close to the main highlight in Porto just 10 or 15 minutes by car. Fully recommended.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2019

aaron

Friendly staff

Amazing. We enjoyed the bar and the restaurant, food was great, breakfast was big, had everything you can possibly have. After dinner we mentioned to our bartender that it was our anniversary and an hour later he brought a tray full of goodies for us along with the champagne and a note from the hotel wishing us happy anniversary. That was unexpected and very thoughtful. We had a seaview room with a pool view as well. Wish the pool was heated. The only negative about this hotel is the AC. It was very hot in a room, and there was no way to fix it, because it was controlled by the hotel and we couldnt open the windows because it waa raining. It was impossible to sleep because of that, it waa very hot in the room.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Nov 2019

AnneB

Attended conference at hotel and stayed to your Portugal. Free parking was great. Restaurant on site was convenient and food was great! Best salad bar ever. Too far to walk to city attractions but Uber was good price and reliable. A few restaurants were just a walk down to the water.

Business_and_leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Nov 2019

Martin

It is better to have a car if you want to stay here,

Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2019

Verified traveler

This place is perfect in every aspect. The location, the view, the bed, the shower, the breakfast.....

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Esta muy retirado de las atracciones turísticas, pero el lugar es muy bonito

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Aug 2019

Walid

Porto stay with a great view of the ocean

It was a very confortable stay with my family visiting Porto

Very convenient to the city of Porto main attraction

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Very good choice for 1 night stay

The room was clean. The breakfast was completed and really good. The staff was very friendly.

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Good value. AC difficult or not working at all. Friendly staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Location for wanting to get away from it all!

The hotel is kept to a very high standard and is always clean. Staff were helpful but it was rather frustrating how things were run. Prime example was that one staff member could be making your drinks then they stop and ask another to come along and finish. Should have designated staff for each area. Systems need modernising as took far too long to make payment for food or drink. Especially considering how easy it is these days. Breakfast not worth the value as very limited choice. Definitely eat out but nothing local as out of the way and no cafe or restaurants close. Will need to get taxi into the centre. Porto is a great place and I would highly recommend visiting. Overall, I would recommend the hotel but certainly some areas for improvement.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 May 2019

Verified traveler

Great to use of a pool on a city break!
The staff were wonderful and the breakfast fabulous!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 May 2019

Gregory

Good, but not 4 stars.

Not really a 4 star hotel. Showing it’s age and due for refurbishing. Otherwise, staff helpful, room very clean, breakfast very good.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

This Hotel is one of customer service at its best!
I came here with my two young children and the Hotel staff were fantastic. The food is also great at the restaurant. Definitely will be back.

Friends_and_family Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

05 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

The hotel had a play area which helped having a 8 year old. There was some renovations happening so was a bit noisy.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Fam trip to porto

Hotels is nice but ready to pay taxi 7euros to tourist place. from there you can hop on bus tours or just walk. Also pretty good restaurants 10 min walk to the river from hotel. Breakfast was really good.

Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Feb 2019

Maureen

A little bit far from town but plenty of transport available. Restaurant dinners could be better. Didn’t have buffet breakfast. Thanks to our afternoon shift front desk young lady who was very cheerful and helpful.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

Uncomfortable pillows. Motorway was noisy at back where are room was.

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2018

Heather

Great for families

Outdoor playground and the indoor play area were pretty good. There's not a whole lot around the area but it's a quick drive to many interesting things.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

10 Nov 2018

Owais

Nice hotel close to the beech
Needs to improve on beddingmattresses need to be bit hard otherwise they tend to ditch in..not good for back support.otherwise nice cozy clean beddings
Hotel staff was nice and cooperative.
Breakfast was good.had to order for omelette though and on ordering it was served instantly in bf
Lunch and dinner were served nicely though I would like to see more international options like Chinese;Turkish;Indian in their menus

8/10

Excellent

04 Nov 2018

Jools

bit out of town but taxis to centre only 5 euros.
great breakfast buffet. Dias on reception very helpful with local knowledge and discount vouchers for attractions.

8/10

Excellent

29 Oct 2018

Gilles

Very hard to find without a GPS......................................................................

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2018

Rose

Very nice hotel, great location, with a good breakfast

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2018

Lucia B.

the place to saty near Porto, if you have a car

A great and affordable hotel to stay if you have a car. Excellent service, very clean, great room.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2018

James

Fine for a Business trip. Quick and easy check in.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2018

Gillian

Lovely stay

Great breakfasts and buffet supper. Helpful staff and pleasant area for sitting outside. Would definitely recommend

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

29 Sep 2018

Elaine

Nice hotel, but definately not a 4 star. Room very basic, but comfortable. Only 2 sockets in the room, which was nowhere near enough, when trying to charge phones, batteries and laptops. Room was well soundproofed, didn't hear much, not even the planes flying over the hotel. Nice, comfy bed, but room and bathroom needs to be updated.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Sep 2018

Fernando

The hotel is fine but somewhat dated. Also, it’s in an area accessible almost only by car. I like to walk but was limited to where I could go. I had to use transportation to get to the interesting areas.

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

Nice family friendly hotel. Very pleasant stay. Hotel staff attentive and courteous. Took the trouble to warn us about taxi strike issues on certain days and recommended to alter travel plans accordingly for those days.

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2018

Joao

It would be better if breakfast was included.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2018

Nice hotel and location. Very accommodating and friendly staff. Restaurant has great food and reasonable prices. Lovely stay, would stay again for sure.

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Very nice experience.

8/10

Excellent

11 Jun 2018

Michael

Good hotel with small rooms. Strange location not suited to walk and explore travellers. Need to catch a taxi to Porto Gaia or elsewhere to best walk the city. Good food and comfortable bed. Room space minimal but Ok. Shower is in dangerously high bathtub and lounge almost threw you onto the floor when you sat on it as it tried to turn itself into another bed. Staff were very helpful. If arriving or departing by train, there is a major rail station closer to the hotel than Campanha at Villa Nova.

8/10

Excellent

21 May 2018

kate

Nice Hotel with Pool

Great out of town hotel an inexpensive taxi ride to centre (€7). Staff and facilities very good.

8/10

Excellent

16 Apr 2018

ANDRE LUIS

Very Nice to Kids.

Very good experience. Special place to travel with Kids.

Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2018

Ivan

amazing service, difficult to find even with a GPS

Great experience

4/10

Poor

11 Oct 2017

Gwyn

No facilities nearby and surrounded by motorway

We stayed here for three nights as part of a driving tour around Portugal. It was the most disappointing of all the hotels we stayed at. Half the staff were nice but the other half seemed unhappy. The hotel is surrounded by roads so there are no bars or restaurants nearby. We did manage to find a way to walk into Porto through a residential area but it is a long walk and not very nice late at night. The décor is very tired and needs refurbishing.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Nice hotel and beautiful location in Porto Gaia. Only a few minutes from the shopping mall and the Port Wineries, great location. The breakfast buffet also was probably the best I've ever had and totally worth it! Staff was nice, courteuous and helpful upon check in and check out.

8/10

Excellent

16 Sep 2017

Janet

Vila Nova de Gaia, Hotel Novotel, Porto

The hotel and staff were lovely. However, we spent a fortune on taxis as it is out of the way and there is no metro line nearby. The pool and garden are good though the pool was freezing. Food was good. 20 euros for a 3 course buffet was excellent but there were other choices too.

Ignore Googlemaps who say you can walk to the shopping centre by turning right. You cannot. It is a dual carriageway and very unsafe. It also says there is a mini Mercado 3 mins away - there is not. It does not exist. The nearest is Continente which is a good 15-18 mins walk. There is plenty of parking if you hire a car though parking in Porto itself is not easy. Everywhere including the hotel area is on a hill and a very steep hill too.

It is well worth the walk to the marina - about 15 mins downhill. Our favourite restaurant is behind the small market close to the marina, called Armazem do Peixe. Fabulous fish and meats - so good we ate there twice in 5 days.
Also close to the marina you can hire bikes and cycle along the coast for up to 5 miles. It is a stunning ride and fairly flat all the way.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Sep 2017

Louis

There must be better options in Porto

Very dated rooms, extremely small, horrible bath tub.

Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Aug 2017

Eduardo

Ouro trip

Difficult to find. All printed info, does not correctly mention the post code ( the second part is missing)
Staff are first class, except the bar, when friends seem to take priority over guests. Waited far too long for four Caipirinhas.
These were disappointing, as I , being a cocktail barman, think that the barman forgot the cachaça.
The only down during our short stay.

Family