Hotel Rural Douro Scala

Very weird room layout. We had a room with two single beds and the shower/bathtub was in the same space as the bedroom with no door or curtain as a barrier. Since I was sharing a room with my uncle, we had to take shifts and hang out outside the room while the other was showering. Other notes: Our room must have just been cleaned when we arrived because the whole floor was wet. Be careful leaving anything on the patio because sprinklers will come on throughout the day that reach all the way to the sliding doors. The hallways are very dark and confusing to navigate. It didn’t get much easier even after staying there for 2+ days.

This is definitely not a five star resort. The rooms are quirky and have the tub and shower in the same space as the bed. We didn’t use the spa or pool facilities during our stay, but we did go to the restaurant several times. The restaurant is disappointing both in terms of the quality of food as well as the service. The location however, is absolutely stunning there’s a 15th century church and ancient kitchen inside the hotel that are definitely worth seeing if you decide to stay here. The hallways are creepy because all the lights are turned off and it’s mostly underground so you’re walking down this completely black hallway and right before you get there there’s motion detectors that turns the lights on. I’m assuming this is eco-friendly but it not a good customer experience. It’s also worth noting that this is not in the heart of the Douro Valley wine experience. It’s about a half an hour away completely on its own. It’s a beautiful location thats on a hilltop with magnificent views of the valley so once you get here it’s amazing but it’s not a convenient location

The hotel is absolutely not a 5 star. It needs an overall renovation and the level of food was really bad. The spa was a joke, steam not working and sauna not even hot and tiny for the amount of people, the entire spa area needs reform. Staff nice and friendly but they it’s all run down sadly since the spot is magic✨💫

The setting of this hotel is stunning — the views over the valley and vineyards are absolutely beautiful. However, aside from the scenery, I can’t say this feels like a 5-star property. At best, it’s a 3-star experience. The restaurant was disappointing, both in terms of food quality and service, and the hallways at night give off a rather eerie vibe — almost like the perfect set for a mystery movie. If you’re looking for breathtaking views, it delivers. But if you expect top-notch service, fine dining, and a true luxury stay, this might not be the right choice.