The Forte de Gaia is a true gem overlooking Porto, blending stunning historic architecture with modern luxury. Our room, like the rest of the hotel, showcased gorgeous design elements while offering breathtaking views of the city. The thoughtful staff had our pack and play ready upon arrival - a small touch that means everything when traveling with little ones. Breakfast was an absolute highlight - the selection was outstanding and the service even better. The staff throughout the hotel struck that perfect balance of being attentive and friendly without hovering, always ready with helpful suggestions or assistance. The location is ideal, with easy access to the gondola and local shops, plus hassle-free parking (a rare find in Porto!). While the gym was basic and the pool was temporarily closed for construction, these were minor drawbacks in an otherwise exceptional stay. The hotel's genuine warmth toward families and attention to detail made our Porto visit truly memorable.

One of the most underrated Marriott hotel I've ever stayed. I've stayed at multiple high end properties and this is one of the best. Very nicely located - a bit outside of the super touristy place but easily accessible. The whole hotel is elegantly design with lots of details. Great woody scent and beautifully design like a forest/tree theme. Room is extremely comfortable with great view. Super clean and neat as well, everything is perfectly position and angled. Bedding is very comfortable and even the towel is soft and comfy. Staff are so welcoming and warm. Compare to other cities' 5 star properties, I think the price is also with high value. Would highly recommend to stay at Forte de Gaia if you have a chance to stay in Porto.

EXCELLENT stay at the Forte de Gaia! From the welcome experience, to the room, the view, the service, the breakfast — it all exceeded my expectations! I love that the hotel has gone to great lengths to have really custom, special details that are a celebration of Porto and Gaia (e.g., walls in the lobby feature beautiful cork, and over 50% of the world’s cork comes from Portugal and is obviously critical in the wine and port making process; or the golden river rug in the hallways and rooms for the Douro river). Just so many lovely touches!!!

One of the most well designed hotels I’ve seen! Comfortable beds and good size rooms. The staff at the front desk are beyond amazing! They are so helpful and attentive. Would give them a 11/10 if I could!

Forte de Gaia is a stunning hotel—clean, beautifully designed, and in a prime location near the river. The staff was pleasant, and I truly appreciated some of the small thoughtful touches throughout my stay. However, for a hotel of this caliber, I expected a more consistent level of service. While I loved the elegant design and proximity to the river, getting to the hotel was a bit challenging, which could be inconvenient for some travelers. Still, the setting is beautiful, offering a peaceful atmosphere. I also want to highlight that breakfast was delicious, and I appreciated the warm hospitality from the staff. However, despite these positives, the hotel still fell short in several areas—especially when compared to my recent stay at The Ivens Autograph Collection in Lisbon. The difference in service was night and day—where Ivens delivered an exceptional, seamless experience, Forte felt disorganized and inconsistent. Here’s where Forte de Gaia missed the mark: Room Requests: I mentioned that I preferred a room with a tub, but I was disappointed that I had to insist to get one. The process felt unnecessarily difficult, with delays and excuses about availability. Eventually, I was able to switch rooms, but it was a challenge—something that should have been a simple request. Especially with my loyal status with the Bonvoy brand. Payment Process: I disliked the requirement to pay upfront, only to have to present my card again at checkout. This felt unnecessary and inconvenient. Housekeeping Issues: Turndown service was inconsistent—I didn’t receive it on my first night. Additionally, if you forget to put the Do Not Disturb sign on your door, expect multiple knocks for various reasons. Late Checkout Problems: I requested late checkout, yet WiFi stopped working, my key card deactivated, and the process wasn’t seamless. If my extended stay was confirmed, why not ensure it’s smooth and uninterrupted? Pool Closure: I was disappointed to find the pool out of service, which was communicated at check in. Lack of Confidence to Extend Stay: I originally considered extending my stay but decided against it due to inconsistencies in service. Forte de Gaia is beautifully designed, clean, and in a great riverside location. The staff was pleasant, breakfast was delicious, and I appreciated the small details the hotel offered. However, these inconsistencies kept my stay from being exceptional—instead, it was just good. After experiencing The Ivens Autograph Collection in Lisbon just a week before, where every detail was handled with excellence, the difference in service was striking. I prefer seamless experiences, and while this hotel has potential, there’s still work to be done to meet the high expectations that come with an Autograph stay.