I'm guest in this hotel since it opens in 2005. I'm coming every year back, because it offers everything I need in a hotel. Nice rooms (not over the top), very clean, nice views to the canal or to the great refurbished ceramics factory, great breakfast with very good quality, very nice breakfast staff, extremely polite and efficient staff at the reception, great services, a good gym with literally everything you need for a good workout, indoor pool, sauna and a spa area that offers a quite good range of relaxation possibilities. And here is the challenge in this hotel, Spa, Gym and Pool have as in most hotels a separate reception - unfortunately the level of friendliness in this area is far different from from the rest of the hotel. The girls are mostly arrogant, not knowledgeable about the offer or simply unfriendly. I've have to mention here that I'm local, know living in London, and I do speak my mother tongue perfectly, so I can distinguish between friendliness and a strong attitude. I served a complain at my last stay for this and the Hotel director was extremely apologetic and tried to solve the situation immediately - never less I will come back because this hotel is simply the best in town, and i love this town. Btw. rent a car and get in 10 minutes to Costa Nova, which is beautiful picturesque with beautiful beaches. Visit the...I'm guest in this hotel since it opens in 2005. I'm coming every year back, because it offers everything I need in a hotel. Nice rooms (not over the top), very clean, nice views to the canal or to the great refurbished ceramics factory, great breakfast with very good quality, very nice breakfast staff, extremely polite and efficient staff at the reception, great services, a good gym with literally everything you need for a good workout, indoor pool, sauna and a spa area that offers a quite good range of relaxation possibilities. And here is the challenge in this hotel, Spa, Gym and Pool have as in most hotels a separate reception - unfortunately the level of friendliness in this area is far different from from the rest of the hotel. The girls are mostly arrogant, not knowledgeable about the offer or simply unfriendly. I've have to mention here that I'm local, know living in London, and I do speak my mother tongue perfectly, so I can distinguish between friendliness and a strong attitude. I served a complain at my last stay for this and the Hotel director was extremely apologetic and tried to solve the situation immediately - never less I will come back because this hotel is simply the best in town, and i love this town. Btw. rent a car and get in 10 minutes to Costa Nova, which is beautiful picturesque with beautiful beaches. Visit the fantastic Vista Alegre (Portugals famous china and crystal ware founded in 1824) historical complex with museum, the church, and the little houses with theatre from the 19th century as well the 5star hotel with great spa area and views to the Ria de Aveiro, great restaurants all over and nice food markets to stroll around, 45 minutes by car you are in Porto, Viseu or Coimbra which makes the location great to stay :-) Love Hotel Melia Ria and I'm praying that this bloody Spa area sorted. ;-)More
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