MS Collection Aveiro - Palacete de Valdemouro, an SLH Hotel — Hotel in Aveiro

Mastery of 'a arte de servir'

What a beautiful experience it has been to stay in this mansion hotel, MS Collection Aveiro. With my first steps in the door I was greeted with kindness and a warm welcome by Hugo. I specifically asked to only be spoken to in Português, even though the entire concierge team is fluent in English, to help me learn the language. The concierge seemingly didn't mind slowing down for my brain to catch up to them, even helping me with translations and conjugations as I gained the confidence to communicate more each day. Special thank you to José who had the patience to wait for the punchline of my joke that I attempted in a 2nd language. While every interaction at the hotel was positive, José and Hugo stood out with their top notch helpful hospitality service.

As for the physical building, the hotel is pristine with regal decor. Red velvet stairs are illuminated by sunflowers, leading you to the pockets of history in the 24 hour library. The mansion-turned-hotel celebrates the life and works of Eça de Queriós, famous novelist and diplomat. Each room is named for a character created by Eça. I stayed in the suite named for Artur Corvelo, the protagonist in "A Capital" by Eça de Queriós. I appreciated a gold framed mirror tv (though I never used the tv) that opened the space and reflected the art from above the headboard and the chandelier. The carved mahogany writing desk with a tufted red and gold chair inspired me to do my own writing. Every evening I enjoyed the sweets coupled with literary 'sweet nothings' at turn down service. Brenda would leave (translated) poetic quotes by Eça de Queirós on the nightstand, inviting reflection and introspection while winding down for the night. These details created a remarkable and unique experience.

Not to be forgotten was the luxurious glass bottomed outdoor lap pool, sparkling above the Turkish spa 'Moments'. Admittedly the visual of the pools on the website is what drew me to stay with MS Collections Aveiro. Now having experienced it and used the spa amenities daily, I highly recommend receiving a Drenagem Lynfática massage to solve any jet lag issues. My massage therapist, Catarina, was professional, strong, and provided great communication, which led to an absolutely blissful spa experience. (This is saying something because as an athlete I am rather particular about massages.)

Above the spa, by the pool I enjoyed a daily feast of a breakfast by the modern art celebrating Eça de Queirós. As an American nutritionist, it was an enlightened experience demonstrating how Portuguese culture prioritizes "the most important meal of the day." It was the best kind of culture shock. I look forward to experimenting with recreating these recipes to incorporate into nutrition planning.

This was a meaningful stay for my first experience in Aveiro. Your attentive employees are the true stars of this experience.

Espero ficar consigo outra vez. Muito obrigado. Até o...

We entered the Palacete de Valdemouro Hotel to ask if we could have breakfast as non-resident guests. The friendly receptionist checked with the restaurant, as resident guests naturally have priority, and kindly arranged a table for us. While waiting, we were invited to sit in their beautiful library area, an elegant and relaxing space that already set the tone for what was to come. Once seated in the stunning restaurant, we were warmly welcomed by a very professional and attentive team. As non-resident clients, we truly felt as well treated, if not better, than hotel guests. The breakfast itself was exceptional: a rich and beautifully presented buffet with an impressive variety of choices, complemented by a personalized à la carte menu where the chef prepares your preferred dishes. Beyond the exquisite food, it’s the ambience, refined details, and impeccable service that make this experience stand out. At €35 per person, it’s absolutely worth it for true breakfast lovers. A memorable experience , definitely to be repeated and a reason to experience one of the hotel rooms, while visiting Aveiro...

I wish I could say better things about the hotel. Our room, one of the best in the hotel, was small. It is beautifully decorated, but not practical. There was only one chair and one stool. We missed not having a second comfortable chair. Lighting at the sink was very poor. The water closet was small, as was the shower. There were very few hangers in the closet and we had to ask for more.||The spa was poor. There were very few lounges by the pool and staff didn't remove towels when people left. The hot tub was not even luke warm. My masseuse didn't introduce herself, she just lunged in. After the treatment, there was no water or tea offered and there was no area to relax in.||The hotel is very proud of its restaurant. Apparently, the chef has a Michelin star restaurant in Porto. We found it very poor. Our dinner took two full hours, much of which was waiting for our order to be taken. Our main dishes were very disappointing. My husband's chicken was actually inedible.||The best part of the hotel is the front desk staff. They are extremely pleasant, informative,...