Vila Gale Collection Elvas

This was our second visit to this hotel and it really is a lovely place. The building is a converted convent and the convention has been beautifully done. Breakfast is excellent with plenty of choice in a buffet style. The staff are friendly and attentive, especially the breakfast and Bar staff. We first visited not long after the hotel had opened and it was noticeably busier on this visit. Elvas is a lovely place to wander round. The fortifications, castle, small ally ways, churches, gardens & museums are a joy to explore. It also has some great quality restaurants. Would highly recommend Adega Regional, Recanto de São Paulo & especially Acontece. There is plenty of free parking around the hotel if you are traveling by car and it makes a great base for exploring the area, even nipping over the border into Spain. Look forward to returning again.

I spent 1 night at the Vila Gale Collection Elvas in mid-April. Staff were wonderfully helpful and the location was perfect for exploring Elvas and the surrounding forts. My specious room was comfortable and well-appointed and the hotel’s spa was well worth visiting. In addition, this former convent has a lovely cloister. I appreciated the egg station at the breakfast buffet – my omelet was delicious! – though I was surprised that there was no cream for coffee. There wasn’t even any whole milk, only skim or low-fat milk! Just a small complaint.

Very enjoyable stay in Elvas, hotel is located in a renovated building that served among others as army barracks. Very customer oriented reception staff and well attended to our needs. Rooms are of good size, however the mattresses seem a bit on the cheap side. Hotel has inside and outside pools, spa and massage services. There is plenty of parking areas near the hotel and the indoor parking is well priced at 7.5 euros. The central atrium is quite enjoyable. buffet breakfast is of good value.

One thing everyone does in a hotel in sleep, so it needs to be a bit of a priority. Unfortunately, there was a loud pump (something to do with the air conditioning) that made a loud noise every five minutes, all night long. In the morning I told the hotel there was a problem with the AC. The woman at reception barely apologised and then said it's not a problem, it's the system they have. So they know about this noise and they do nothing about it. If they have to use such a pump, it would be much better to having it running constantly at a low level than to have a loud noise every few minutes all night long. It's like a sort of Chinese water torture! One of the people at reception in the morning wanted to get a manager to help resolve the situation, but the other didn't and so they no made effort to resolve anything. Also the only restaurant option was a buffet dinner, and the food was not amazing. If you order a la carte, you just get a part of the buffet food! One other thing.. we didn't get a double bed as requested, we got two single beds put together, each dressed individually. It is a nice building thought, if you don't mind a terrible night's sleep!

Vila Galé Historic property inside the old city walls. Originally a convent then a military prison this centuries old property has been completely renovated into a model of elegance and comfort. Towering ceilings in the grand dining hall,an immaculately gardened former cloister and an extensive spa area all add to air of elegance. Our “junior suite “ had a massive living room; the enjoining bedroom was only slightly smaller but still large by anyone’s standards. There was a safe and refrigerator in the room. Lights and power plugs everywhere and even a set of USB ports next to the bedside- a first for us in Portugal. The bathroom was also good sized with an immense shower- no tub. The wall mounted hair dryer had a very short cord which resisted being pulled out and you had to hold the on button the entire time- a minor nuisance. A shaving/makeup mirror would have appreciated. Washcloths were provided- also unusual in Portugal. Breakfast was a bountiful buffet and there was also a chef attended omelette station available. Parking is free on the streets nearby or they offer garage parking for 7.5 Euro. The location is perfect- everything in the historic center is just steps away but beware there are lots of steep inclines involved. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The concierge helped us find a tire replacement center nearby as we had a flat on the way. He also set up a private tour of the city at the last minute for us since our flat tire and repair cost us several hours of time we had hoped to spend on touring. Very highly recommended.