Forte De Sao Francisco Hotel

Forte De Sao Francisco Hotel descritpion

Forte De São Francisco Hotel is in a historic 17th-century building, which is a National Monument. It features 3.7 acres of grounds with an outdoor pool.
Forte De São Francisco provides comfortable rooms with air conditioning, TV, minibar, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi access.
Forte De São Francisco Hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a snack bar, for lighter meals and snacks.
To stay in shape and relax, the hotel has a tennis court, a sauna, and a hot tub. Forte De São Francisco also features a church and an art gallery.
Forte De São Francisco is in the center of the city, a short walk from the Roman Bridge and Chaves Castle. Free parking is available on site.

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Facilities of Forte De Sao Francisco Hotel

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool (seasonal) | Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Languages Spoken ：Portuguese | French | Spanish | English

Reviews for Forte De Sao Francisco Hotel

Review 1：Gym working hours very limited.

Review 2：Amazing historical place well reconverted to hotel. Very close to city historical Center. Spacious facilities and occupation options.

Review 3：Restaurant closed 2 days a week, no indoor access to the gym.

Review 4：Location, building, excellent regional food with a gourmet twist in the restaurant at a very good value.

Review 5：Just one blanket for two beds, the blanket was dirty and had stains on it. We had to wait 35 minutes to have breakfast. The room was very small and the tub was dirty.

Review 6：Good location.

Review 7：Nothing important. Small room. Bad wi-fi connection in the bedroom (but we could use their computer to access the net).

Review 8：Staff was very helpful and friendly. Excellent breakfast. Great location.

Review 9：The hotel occupies the ancient Citadel of the historic town, and has been modernised impeccably. The beautiful old church forms part of the buildings and is perfectly preserved. The staff are friendly, helpful and charming.

Review 10：N/a apart from the coffee!

Review 11：Elegant lounge areas in historic old convent/ fort; close to centre of town on foot, lovely views, good breakfast apart from the coffee (has anyone had good coffee for breakfast in a Portuguese hotel?), good sized room, free parking, old building to explore

Review 12：Leaving !

Review 13：We love this place, second time there and looking forward to the next. Great base for exploring the Duoro valley and other nearby national parks.

Review 14：No fresh towels left for us, we had to ask for them as the used ones where left wet in the bath!( The wifi did not work )The last night of our stay the beds were not made and no towels again !! Paid in full and promised a partial refund... Constant emails back and forth and no return contact. Previous visits had always been very good... Disapointed

Review 15：Arrived in the afternoon and left the next morning. During all that time none of our four different devices couldn't connect to internet. The staff when told, didn't seem to care and didn't try to investigate why, just said that theirs was working! In almost three weeks in Portugal never had a similar problem. The breakfast room was too small for the hotel and breakfast very average.

Review 16：Beautiful building, ok room, good location, I guess for Chaves this is one of the best choices

Review 17：terribly poor service all around. Also, The pool had a mouldy floor the evening we arrived, there were huge green marks from end to end and floating dirt. We complained and they cleaned it the next morning. The excuse was that they subcontract the pool cleaning (?). The kids room was dirty as well, sticky tables, thick layers of dust and very old toys in bad conditions. Wifi was totally unreliable in most areas for us.

Review 18：We liked the location which was right in the middle of town. The restaurant attached served excellent food and they catered to our 4 year old, my son he also loved the the fact we where staying in a fort. I wish they had someone making omelettes for the guest at breakfast but other than that we really liked the place and would return again.

Review 19：Not a thing.

Review 20：Lively hotel in quiet hilltop area of Chaves. The pool was fantastic, the artwork scattered about was beautiful, and the grounds were lovely. Breakfast was very good and the staff very pleasant. Our suite was comfortable and very clean.

Review 21：Chaves, the town where the hotel is located is very calm. We stayed for a week in July and often we where the only ones in a restaurant. The number of restaurants is sufficient for a few days. Another downside was the bed, which was a bit hard and squeaky.

Review 22：The pool is great, really nice area. When we stayed at the hotel it was very calm. Wifi even reached to the pool area, which was perfect. The staff was friendly. The breakfast good, with a variety of fresh fruits, yoghurt, bread and sweet breads/cakes. No boiled eggs but only scrambled eggs. For boiled eggs you had to pay extra, which is a bit sad when staying at a 4 star hotel.

Review 23：small room, no desk, no electrical outlets, unreliable wifi, ridiculous large heavy door handles that slam down on your knuckles as you turn the key, hard bed

Review 24：Location, easy parking, helpful staff, hotel grounds, swimming pool

Review 25：No atmosphere is hotel area. Hard bed in modern box of bedroom. Dinnerwas the worst we had in Portugal - large portions of poor food. Myhusband had grilled lamb (hacked bony pieces of tough lamb with bonyshards) Breakfast just ok - but tinned peaches served.

Review 26：The "other part" of the hotel with restaurant/bad/gymnetc. was quite well designed in lovely old buildings

Review 27：Nothing it was great!

Review 28：This hotel is a real gem, really big and as an old fort there are lots of areas the hotel has made good use of. Like the games room. The pool is a great bonus. The staff are very nice.

Review 29：Not a criticism, really - just a reflection on its character. It is a big, old fort and facilities are spread out so it can be easy to get slightly lost at first if you don't check your map!

Review 30：Everything about the hotel - from the location to the food to the staff to the rooms - is excellent. It's memorably good. Better still, it's outstandingly good value

Review 31：Great location. Wonderful historic building beautifully restored and decorated. Spacious rooms, quiet, friendly staff, good breakfasts. In fact everything really good.

Review 32：We enjoyed the location (amidst the walls of an old fortess), the room, the great breakfast and the availability of a common room with several games. Could not enjoy the pool because it is winter!. Friendly staff, and great value for money.

Review 33：The bed in my room was a little too firm for my taste but my companion in the next room said hers was fine so it may have been just the one mattress.

Review 34：What a lovely hotel. The staff is courteous and professional. My room was large, pretty and super clean. The bathroom counter space was huge! Plenty of the two things that I find are usually lacking in European hotels: electrical outlets for charging and good lighting for makeup application. The included breakfast buffet was wonderful. The grounds are beautiful. This place is a terrific value. I will definitely stay here again when I return to Chaves.

Review 35：The location at the hotel is the best to visit the city. Design, furniture and comfort at the hotel are impressive and its staff are good and friendly.

Review 36：Nothing at all.

Review 37：We loved this hotel, from the rooms to the staff, everything was excellent. We had breakfast, lunch and evening meal, in the hotel, the food was absolutely delicious. Although we didn't swim in the pool, as the weather was a little cool, it was just a gorgeous area. The whole hotel is so beautiful, and it was a pleasure to stay their.

Review 38：The spa at Chaves was closed, which was disappointing, but not the hotel's fault. Standard room were a bit too small, but the overall spaciousness of the hotel made up for it. WIFI sketchy in the rooms. Dont let these comments put you off though. Its a great place.

Review 39：The restaurant alone is worth a visit. I can safely say that I ate the best meal I have ever had in Portugal here. The prices for the menu were very fair, and affordable, the quality was superb. The overall atmosphere here is great, with lots to do, even though it poured with rain. Great place

Review 40：Although the service wasn't great and there were loads of things not available I assume this was due to it being September. A lovely hotel but there wasn't enough staff and service was slow

Review 41：Restaurant did not reflect the rest of the building. A little like Spanish hotels in the 60's Food was however competent and service friendly

Review 42：Old fort with own church, tastefully restored and maintained. Rooms are very comfortable if a little small. Chaves is quaint and charming, but appears to be falling apart....

Review 43：Wifi didn't workshop properly, it was very slow. Our room was a bit cramped. Cakes for breakfast are not homemade, they should be better for the hotel quality.

Review 44：Great building in a great location at the heart of Chaves. Excellent pool, wifi actually worked there. Breakfast is great and has lots of portuguese products, variety of bread is good. Private parking and lots of space.

Review 45：THE FOOD IS NOT MEMORABLE AND THIS DETRACTED FROM A PLEASANT STAY

Review 46：THE HOTEL IS WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE OF CHAVES.

Review 47：Awful wifi (didn't work at all)

Review 48：Great location, nice breakfast, good price

Review 49：The breakfast room: small and noisy.

Review 50：The premisses. Particularly in the summer.

Review 51：the place where I spend my teenager years

Review 52：Your evaluation form is defective, all was fine. Breakfast was best I have seen on my month long trip.

Review 53：Unique setting within ancient fortress. Excellent architectural design responsive to historical setting. Four star facilities and services.

Review 54：Fabulous location. An excellent hotel with wonderful atmosphere.

Review 55：It was beautiful, staff very helpful, Room was comfortable and clean. A very interesting place to stay in and short walk into town.

Review 56：Location, ambiance and facilities.

Review 57：Wifi did not work well.

Review 58：Great ambiance

Review 59：Nothing

Review 60：Location

Review 61：None

Review 62：Elegant conversion of a fort into an amazing hotel. Great service, wonderful rooms, beautiful grounds, and outstanding breakfast!

Review 63：great pool and location in the centre of town

Review 64：Het sanitair is broodnodig aan vervanging toe!

Review 65：Sfeervol complex. Mooi zwembad. Goede ligging om regio te verkennen. Ruime kamers. Bedden erg hard.

Review 66：Location - the sympathetic way the hotel was designed in the old building.

Review 67：All was good.

Review 68：The rooms, the vista and the period building, all at a fantastic price

Review 69：Good dores and marvellous food

Review 70：none

Review 71：room food facilities confort wifi excelente location style

Review 72：WiFi a bit unreliable,bed could have been better.

Review 73：breakfast,location,staff interesting building and surrounds

Review 74：NOTHING

Review 75：EVERYTHING

Review 76：Everything

Review 77：Location Excellent dining, athough service touch slow

Review 78：Wi-Fi poor.

Review 79：Very nicely designed, great pool and right in the centre of town.

Review 80：Terrible polyester shag in the room.

Review 81：Excellent location with nice view over town and a very nicegarden/pool.

Review 82：No picks not even crisps to munch with glass wine at the hotel bar. But everything else perfect .

Review 83：Could'nt fault the place

Review 84：Nothing!!

Review 85：Hotel itself, staff members, peaceful place to spend a few days...

Review 86：A few disturbing guests at night.

Review 87：The calm and historical atmosphere.

Review 88：We would recommend this hotel,stunning, stunning, stunning!!!!!!!!

Review 89：+ Quiet + Good breakfast buffet + Beautiful building

Review 90：pool very deep - 3.30mt. not many shallow areas.

Review 91：friendly staff excellent location lovely old building nice breakfast lovely room

Review 92：That I only spent two nights here.

Review 93：Everything, quiet location but close to town centre,good sized rooms, excellent breakfast and good food in the hotel restaurant at reasonable prices. Secure parking for motorcycles. Third time I have used this hotel while touring Spain and Portugal

Review 94：Shame the tavern within the hotel was closed when we visited as it looked great!

Review 95：A beautiful spot in an unusual setting- the hotel once a Fortress. Quality accommodation, excellent facilities, great pool.

Review 96：Everything! location, right in the historic centre, friendly and helpful staff, comfortable beds, clean room, excellent breakfast - beside of the coffee. Good value for money. Definitelly recomended!

Review 97：Would have liked fresh orange juice at breakfast. Dining room needs more servers as they are short-staffed and it is difficult for them to handle a full dining room. WiFi won't load some websites and was down on Sunday mornings both times I stayed (3 weeks apart).

Review 98：Comfortable rooms. Standard twin rooms are a good size with good AC/heating controls, nice bath. Plenty of storage + mini-fridge. Double pane windows = quiet even with noisy guests outside under the window. One of the best breakfast buffets we've seen in Portugal with many options of fresh fruits, cheeses, meats, breads & pastries. Food in restaurant is excellent and at a price much lower than expected.

Review 99：Service in the dining room was terribly slow both nights we ate there.We waited almost an hour to get anything except a piece of bread. Ifinally walked out to my car for a bottle of water when I got fed uptrying to get the attention of wait staff after 45 min.! Once we wereserved, the rest came quickly.WiFi is flaky. Some websites would never load at all. And the morning we left there was no Internet connection at all. Totally unreliable. I had to use the mobile network to try to conduct business - difficult! Its a shame that the dining room service & WiFi prevent this from being a higher review score.

Review 100：Comfortable room and beds. Heating or ac available as needed. Nice viewfrom our window. Quiet with soundproof windows (important if groups aretouring the Fort). Very clean. The breakfast buffet was one of the bestwe've seen in Portugal, many choices of meats, cheeses, fruits,breads, and pastries. Fresh juice. Everything you need right there onthe buffet. Dinners were also good (+huge portions) and the dinnerprices were surprisingly low for a hotel with most mains at 10euro largeenough to be shared..

Review 101：Everything. The friendliness of the staff. The comfort of the bedroom and the quiteness of the the Hotel surroundings even being in a very central area. It is an unique place and I strongly recommend it.

Review 102：The breakfast was not up to the usual standard and was in a small room and not the restaurant. No hot option or home made jam as before, but perhaps this is because it is the low season.

Review 103：Very special hotel. We have stayed here many times. Very comfortable beds . The shower water is so soft it feels like silk. If visiting Chaves the Forte is the place to stay.

Review 104：historical town, hotel in fort, staff helpful had nice tea in lounge,In evening restaurant typical and great vista of fort.after in lounge made a nice Irish coffee. Nice bedroom. easy parking out side hotel in grounds.

Review 105：With the low occupation we encountered it gives you an unpleasant feeling seeing almost no other guests around. The room is somewhat small, not a pleasant place to sit, just to sleep. The bed we had was awfull, stif and absolutely under acceptable level for this hotel. It "peeps and cracks" at every turn you make, so keeps you awake ( room 55, mattress still on a wooden shelf).

Review 106：Come back for the restaurant, not for the bed! Nice location directly at the center of the village. The hotel looks nice but somewhat under decorated. We had a nice breakfast with real fresh orange juice and excellent lunch and dinners at the restaurant, for a much better price then you would have expected for such a location. Good wifi everywhere and also a pc available.

Review 107：Os quartos standard são um pouco pequenos The standard rooms are a bit small

Review 108：A envolvência do hotel é excelente e a localização é fantástica. The surroundings of the hotel is excellent and the location is fantastic

Review 109：The room was a bit small,but clean! And the elevators were small and maybe old...

Review 110：The staff was very nice, room very clean, beautiful castle/Hotel! Breakfast buffet was complete: salty, sweet and fried food! Very tasty!

Review 111：First of all we had to wait 30 minutes for the room, which is very bad, we were tired and needed to rest. The staff do not have skills to deal with people(tourists), we did´nt feel welcome, and it seemed as if they were doing us a favor!!!

Review 112：We were there on a romantic break and found the kids club in the afternoon very noisy.

Review 113：Our room was excellent, very big and spotlessly clean. The corridor was thickly carpeted so as to muffle the sounds of footsteps outside.

Review 114：Bathrooms need updating. Rooms a bit outdated.

Review 115：We stayed here for two nights (even though we had originally planned on staying only one night) and we could have stayed more. The city of Chaves itself has a few things to visit, but this hotel is a destination in itself. A wonderful swimming pool with some young people who organized low-key aqua splash activities. I was doubtful at first, but they were so engaging and friendly that we decided to participate... and it was fun. The hotel is in a restored fort and the mix of old and new is quite successful (even though other TA reviewers disagree...). Staff is efficient and friendly. The bathroom was the only thing not up to standard for this type of hotel (old tiles, plastic shower...). Breakfast was standard for Portugal. I would certainly recommend this hotel.

Review 116：the whole facility needs some renovation, rooms are clean but old, taking only the rooms into consideration the hotel is overpriced, gym and Jacuzzi area looks like it was cleaned last time in the 80s, gym equipment is actually very good, but half of it wasn't working or rusty, it could be a fantastic place with putting some work in it, the exceptional staff of the hotel would deserve it

Review 117：staff very nice, in particular in the restaurant and bar area, food exceptional,prices more than fair, huge portions, pool area very nice, huge pool, 5 min from the city of Chaves, some nice people try to animate guests

Review 118：I tried hard to find out something that needs to be improved... I could not find anything really!

Review 119：This is the most wonderful hotel I have ever been in the Iberian Peninsula. There are luxury hotels, moderm, etc however Forte de Sao Francisco is amazingly nice, a mixture of castle and old lordly house. If I ever pass nearby again, I will surely try staying there. Service is nice, food good, swimming pool views from the fortress walls looking over the city is something you dont see in many hotels.

Review 120：nothing to not like

Review 121：Everything, this hotel is excellent, staying in an old fort thats be renovated perfectly, what more could you ask, already booked again for later this year

Review 122：Bad lighting in bath. Elevator maintenance interfered with their use. Strange architecture & design for a historic hotel. Very sterile. Dining room was quite odd, very sterile with odd lighting that reminded us of a school cafeteria. Breakfast room also sterile, minimal design.

Review 123：Room was clean, comfortable and had an OK view. We had dinner at the hotel (roast kid very good) and were pleased with it except for the dining room decor. Breakfast buffet was good. Good for one night stay during our self-tour of N. Portugal.

The Fine Print

Please note that the Swimming Pool is seasonal, open between June and September.