Flag Hotel Porto Maia

The price was the cheapest we could get on NYE for a last minute decision. The staff was amazing and helped us pre-check-in by the phone, so we had the minimum time at the front desk. We were able to get to Aliados before Midnight, thanks to that. Hotel has all the basic stuff one needs to spend one night, so it was OK. The Hotel location is in a Service Area of a Gas Station on a Highway. It was convenient for our situation, but maybe not for everyone. You need a car to get there and when come back to the hotel one needs to go further ahead and reverse back on the Highway to be able to get to the hotel.

Noise from the corridor in the morning woke us up. No hairdryer.

Located in a speedway service area - but Google / the GPS system don’t take you there, best is to scroll manually on the map and choose the gas station right on the service area, then navigate to it. Works if expectations are set right. Cleaning was OK.

I am still in disbelief that I received what is highly likely a malicious link, within the Booking.com secure chat with the property, where I was directed to a funky URL designed to look like booking.com, where I was being asked to reenter the CC details, in spite of the booking having been paid for already. Unsure if this came from the hotel staff or maybe their account is compromised (or maybe there’s another explanation, although I can’t think of another obvious one). The facilities could use some repairs and care. Not suggested for families or if you want to visit the city (unless you are driving), perfect if it’s on your way elsewhere.

Clean quiet and comfortable. Good staff.

Location. For someone who doesn’t have a car, this is a tough location. Uber eats has trouble finding it. So did my first taxi driver.