Fábrica do Chocolate

This was one of the best and most unique hotels we've ever visited. The location is perfect, there are tons of shops, restaurants, and bakeries, plus several historical sites and museums that are must-see. The hotel's chocolate museum is truly an incredible experience, especially in the education of the history of chocolate and the cocoa bean. And the chocolate products themselves are fantastic. We highly recommend this hotel if you are planing to visit this town.

I spent a splendid few days at this fabulous and unique hotel in Viana do Castelo with my sister. Based in an old chocolate factory this hotel is designed all around the concept of chocolate. The rooms are themed; we stayed in Roca, which is a name used for the areas where the cacao is grown and harvested. It came with a small balcony with chairs and table which was nice. The staff where all really helpful and kind, and worked around our needs specifically at breakfast with my sister having a couple of allergy requirements and myself needing different times due to onward travel and taking part in the Etape Portugal cycle race. The hotel was spotlessly clean and very relaxing, it was nice to sit outside on a few of the evenings and enjoy a tea and cold chocolate drink! Breakfast was served at the tables and was very good with a number of pastries, cake, pancakes, meat, cheese, fruit and a choice of drinks, cereals and much more. We also loved looking around the museum below; all about the history of chocolate with lots of great info and facts and few hands-on elements, like making a drink of the chocolate drink Montezuma used to have 50 of a day, wow! The shop adjacent to the reception has a number of chocolate gifts made on site as well as hand-picked external gifts that are suitable for any chocolate lover! The location was ideal for me taking part in the Etape Portugal as it was only a few minutes walk to the start of the race. It was also very close to the station and all the key restaurants, shops and cultural buildings in the city. Viana do Castelo itself is a wonderful place and the Monte Santa Luzia offers amazing views across the region and out along the coast. Overall it was a fantastic experience and I'd love to return in the future and explore the area more! Thank you for making us feel so welcome.