Exe Praia Golfe — Hotel in Espinho

We stayed at Exe Praia Golfe in Espinho as a family of four (two adults and two young children), and overall, the experience was mixed.

On the positive side, the location is definitely a strong point. The hotel is just a short walk from Espinho rail station, which is well connected and made it easy for us to get around. The beach is right across the road, and we enjoyed the sea view from the balcony. Pool access was a nice bonus. The main bed was comfortable and well maintained, and the room had enough space for a small family. Air conditioning and TV worked well, and the reception staff were friendly, professional, and helpful whenever we interacted with them.

However, there were quite a few things that could be improved. The hotel interior is clearly dated and in need of attention. We noticed peeling paint on doors, furniture that looked worn and visibly glued back together, and even some lampshades with kids’ drawings left on them. The balcony wasn’t clean, and there was no broom provided for us to tidy it ourselves.

The extra beds for the children weren’t very practical—placed awkwardly with dirty wheels sticking out into the main walking area, which made moving around the room quite uncomfortable. The bathroom was below average, with a wobbly shelf, chipped tiles, and generally tired-looking fittings. The main door to the room stuck badly and was difficult to open and close.

Cleanliness was a concern—the floor felt sticky underfoot and didn’t seem to have been mopped properly. Communal areas looked very dated, like something from the 1980s, and the general atmosphere didn’t feel as fresh or inviting as we’d expected. The entrance area had a strong smell of smoke, and the front desk was dimly lit and sometimes left unattended, which didn’t give the best first impression.

We also had an unfortunate experience during breakfast when a member of the waiting staff accidentally spilled something on our table while we were still eating but didn’t acknowledge it or offer to clean it up. The mess was left on the chair and table, and we had to deal with it ourselves. While many staff seemed to be doing their best, some clearly lacked proper training, and the service felt inconsistent.

Communication with the hotel was another issue—messages sent over WhatsApp were often responded to very slowly (sometimes after more than an hour), and in some cases, we received no reply at all, which was frustrating when we needed assistance.

The surrounding area also felt quite rundown, with several dilapidated buildings nearby, a neglected public pool, and a lot of graffiti, which made the environment feel less safe and family-friendly than we had hoped.

While the space and location had potential, the overall standard of the hotel fell well short of expectations. We stayed in a much nicer, better-equipped apartment in Lisbon for significantly less during the same trip. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend this hotel to...

I do not recommend staying at this hotel. While some aspects, such as the beachfront location, are promising, the overall experience was overwhelmingly negative. Here is a detailed breakdown of the problems we encountered during our stay:

Bar Service: On our first night, I went to the bar for a drink, but no staff were present. I waited 15 minutes and eventually called reception. Although someone was "on their way," no one arrived, and the receptionist had to pour the drink herself after 20 min of wait. Again, I was tired really looking forward to a friday one drink at the bar and such hussle spoils your weekend.

Room Issues:

The windows and balcony were extremely dirty. There was no toilet brushes. Inagine travelling with three small children - disgusting.

The TV did not work as advertised and could not connect to Netflix or other platforms we chose the hotel for, as it was a "yes-day" for our kids.

When I approached the receptionist for help, I was treated dismissively, as if I were at fault. Someone was sent to fix it, but this led to an even bigger issue—two men entered our room without knocking, disrupting our family time.

Spa Facilities:

The spa area felt abandoned, with no staff available to assist.

The swimming pool was accessible, but the saunas were off, and there was nobody to ask about turning them on.

The overpowering smell of chlorine burned our eyes.

The windows were so dirty that the views, which were the hotel's selling point, were obscured.

Spa Treatments: The receptionist also doubles as the masseuse, making it nearly impossible to book a treatment. She could only be contacted between her sessions, which was a logistical nightmare. I was eagerly anticipating a spa treatment—a rare indulgence during my travels—but it never happened. She messaged me on the day of my departure at 7 p.m., long after I had left the hotel.

Breakfast:

The breakfast selection was dismal—no vegetables, not even a single piece of tomato or cucumber.

The pastries and eggs were terrible in quality, and the overall options were extremely limited.

The room lacked a kettle, which meant I couldn’t even prepare boiled water, something I enjoy.

Hotel Maintenance:

One of the elevators was broken, resulting in long waits to go up or down.

There was no toilet brush in the bathroom, which is a basic amenity and a glaring oversight.

Location:

While the hotel is located by the beach, which is undeniably beautiful, the surrounding area feels like a ghost town from the 1980s—abandoned and unsettling.

Final Thoughts: Despite some modernist design elements and the beachside setting, this hotel is poorly managed and neglected. From basic cleanliness and service to functional amenities, the experience was far below expectations. I cannot recommend this hotel to anyone seeking comfort, quality, or a...

This hotel is in a great location right next to the casino and directly on the beach. The bathrooms could use some upgrading but for the most part the rooms are clean. Why three stars? Because the staff members here are horrible absolutely horrible. We encountered 5 different front desk clerks all were RUDE and not helpful AT ALL you'd think traveling to another country the staff would be helpful and friendly if you want a pleasant stay without being nickeled and dined every step of the way do not stay here. We arrived at 10am we previously emailed the property asking for a early check in when we walk in the lady instantly says no you can't check in after flying for 12 hours all we wanted was to relax well that wasn't possible. I ask to speak to the manager he comes out with a attitude of course and says your room will be ready in 30mins.. wide eyes.. why couldn't the lady just assist in the first place. The hotel owners should really consider hiring new staff members for their establishment the best staff were the...