Casa Branca Beach And Golf Hotel

( 4 stars , Porto , Portugal )

The hotel is very goog located about 1min from the beach and 6km from the city of Porto. Bus station in front of the hotel (last bus at 1am). Nice restaurants nearby (vista mar, iceberg,....) so you really don't need a car. Very nice staff, friendly and helpful rooms ok with nice veranda and sea view. breakfast buffet clean, rich and goos quality. This is for me a nice three to four star hotel with 60 rooms for a pleasant and relaxing stay outside a town, however nearby the city and on the beach

I stayed here (as the conference hotel was full) and decided that if I was going to pay 20-30EUR each day for the taxi that I should at least pick a cool location. The location (outside of down, next to the coast) is cool but the view from the rooms isn't that fantastic - but it's a least quiet. I was here during the week, apparently week-ends are much more busy in the neighborhood. The rooms are large, and mostly clean (some old stuff was lying under my bed which I had moved to get to the power socket for my laptop) and the carpets need to be seriously refreshed. The rest of the room is clean but becoming kinda old. Most of the things are probably at least 10-15 years old. Breakfast is quite OK (but no special), and service was quite good overall. During my stay I only saw elderly people stay here. Remembered me of Nice post-holiday season...

Just stayed for five days at Casa Branca and had a great time. The staff is extremely helpful and very much wants to please. Coming from the states, I noticed a lot of things they could improve, but overall I enjoyed my stay. The bartender in the hotel bar was extremely nice and did everything he possibly could to make sure my stay was great. He even made me his speciality drink "Sunshine" one day while I was lounging by the pool and did not know what I wanted to drink. The 10 year Port is wonderful. Since everything is affordable, tip well and you will receive top of the line treatment. Kim

Visited Porto to watch a champions league game, staying for 3 nights. Chose this hotel after reading reviews on Tripadvisor. Wasn't disappointed. The view we had from our room was spectacular, a very unspoilt coastline, pedestrianised in front of the hotel, so very quiet. Outside of hotel makes your heart sink a little, because it is a little outdated and in need of t.l.c., but on staying here and experiencing the 'brisk' weather conditions explains all. Inside the hotel is a different story. The room was nicely decorated, and very clean, the shower in the bathroom took a while to reach temperature but was nice and powerful. Staff were all very friendly and helpful, giving directions into town as well as recommending places to visit. A little preplexing is why the hotel has 'Golf' included in its title because there isnt a golf club for miles around! It does however have a tennis court and swimming pool. The court doesnt look like its played on much, but the pool is very well looked after and very inviting. The restaurant is on the beach just in front of the hotel, food is recommended, and was a reasonable price. There is also a small 'bistro' around the corner with a portugeuse menu, was very good and cost next to nothing. A walk into town is about 7km, but was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. There is a bus stop just outside the restaurant so you can use public transport, but I'd recommend taking a sat nav and hiring a car because there isnt much nearby. Driving can be a bit of a nightmare though, the roadsigns are either non-existent or will confusingly point you in opposing directions to the same place, then just disappear altogether. We got lost everytime we went out in the car! Porto as a town I found okay, but not much to do for someone visiting, a long weekend is long enough. I would recommend this hotel for the view alone, not too far outside Porto, and good value for money. Thinking of returning in the summer for another long weekend purely because the hotel was so nice.

Just returned from a weekend break in March. Hotel says 5kils from centre in parkland - dont believe it. 40mins on bus - 20 in taxi (good value at 10euros) Location not in parkland, it is on the sea front but in urban sprawl, not a bar cafe etc in site. Plus side hotel staff, rooms food very good . Great indoor pool. Location lets it down.

Spectacular find - Made selection of this hotel initially because it was outside the downtown Porto area. Upon arrival we were greeted by the hotel staff who presented us with a glass of Port and warmly welcomed us to Casa Branca. Outside of town about 7km or 4.5miles approximately, the hotel is situated on the oceanfront in a residential neighborhood. Very quiet, free parking for car, and the rooms were nicely decorated in a traditional style and large. Each room has a balcony that provides a view of the Atlantic ocean - spectacular sunsets and very peaceful. There is a paved boardwalk which continues for approximately 3/4 miles - and thereafter a wooden boardwalk for approximately 1/2 a mile thereafter - provided for a great place to run and take those slow romantic walks on the beach in the evening. The hotel is initally a little bit of a challenge to find if you are driving in from the airport it is about 15km and takes about 20minutes. We had a GPS and needed it! there are many tiny streets, narrow and lack of road signs, an updated GPS is the way to go! we had one and had mininmal troubles finding where we needed to go. The hotel dining is very good - the free american/european breakfast would meet any hungry man's needs with meats, eggs, sausages, cereals and a wide variety of fruits, cheeses, breads and the fixings. The breakfast room also over looks the tennis court and the ocean, gets your day off to a great start. we spent each morning with our breakfast writing in our journals of our previous day's adventures. For Dinner - the hotel dining is excellent and a value for the money spent, large portions of food and a wide variety of selections, pasta, chicken, beef and vegitarian dishes. Prompt service, and nice staff. Don't be surprised if you see the same staff working the bell stations, front desk and the dining room - its one big happy family at Casa Branca and they all chip in to help. The staff is easy to communicate with and offered several options on sites to see and places to visit. even provided maps and such for our outings. If we ever return to Porto we will definitely visit Casa Branca - you should too you wont be disappointed it is delightful!

So pleased we went to this hotel. We pre-paid a suite but on arrival, found the views not the best and downgraded to a twin room on the other side of the corridor which had absolutely stunning views of the ocean. The hotel is pitched as a 3 or 4 star, and this is appropriate. The rooms were very comfortable and clean although perhaps the soft furnishings were a little tired. Bathrooms were small although perfectly adequate. The service from staff was excellent, with room service above the level expected for this catergory of hotel. The restaurant was the surprise. It was fabulous!! Rarely would I eat in a hotel dining room more than once during a week, so good I went there 3 times! Did not use the leisure facilities as so busy enjoying the natural coastline. Location is not the best but public transport very good. Also plenty of car parking.Last thing, no problems with refund on pre-paid accommodation. Would definitely go back.

Visited Porto to watch a champions league game, staying for 3 nights. Chose this hotel after reading reviews on Tripadvisor. Wasn't disappointed. The view we had from our room was spectacular, a very unspoilt coastline, pedestrianised in front of the hotel, so very quiet. Outside of hotel makes your heart sink a little, because it is a little outdated and in need of t.l.c., but on staying here and experiencing the 'brisk' weather conditions explains all. Inside the hotel is a different story. The room was nicely decorated, and very clean, the shower in the bathroom took a while to reach temperature but was nice and powerful. Staff were all very friendly and helpful, giving directions into town as well as recommending places to visit. A little preplexing is why the hotel has 'Golf' included in its title because there isnt a golf club for miles around! It does however have a tennis court and swimming pool. The court doesnt look like its played on much, but the pool is very well looked after and very inviting. The restaurant is on the beach just in front of the hotel, food is recommended, and was a reasonable price. There is also a small 'bistro' around the corner with a portugeuse menu, was very good and cost next to nothing. A walk into town is about 7km, but was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. There is a bus stop just outside the restaurant so you can use public transport, but I'd recommend taking a sat nav and hiring a car because there isnt much nearby. Driving can be a bit of a nightmare though, the roadsigns are either non-existent or will confusingly point you in opposing directions to the same place, then just disappear altogether. We got lost everytime we went out in the car! Porto as a town I found okay, but not much to do for someone visiting, a long weekend is long enough. I would recommend this hotel for the view alone, not too far outside Porto, and good value for money. Thinking of returning in the summer for another long weekend purely because the hotel was so nice.