Situated next to the Cabadelo beach in VIana do Castelo, touching the sea, Feelviana is an excellent sports hotel. It is easily accessed from Porto airport, approximately 45 minutes by car, on this Portuguese coastline which offers extensive beaches, the waves of the Atlantic and, for water-sport lovers, some challenging winds.
First, the sports. It is a short walk from hotel to the beach and access to world class surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, with instruction available for beginners as well as the more expert. The hotel can provide the kit too, but also housing for own equipment brought by residents. There is also body boarding and paddle boarding. Plenty of beach-walking is available for the less sea- worthy. Visitors to Feelviana tend to enjoy fitness. On land, mountain biking is a favourite and there is also a pump track; the gym is good for functional fitness, including yoga classes; and there is a spa and sauna. The indoor and the outdoor pool are on the small side and not ideal for lap swimmers.
It seems eco-friendly, as the building materials applied to its construction attest to. The roomy junior suite bedrooms with en-suite facilities are modern, efficiently and cleverly laid out providing comfort, decent space and internet communications. The view from the seaside rooms is good to wake up to.
The good choice of food in the restaurant is a reasonable price for the quality. The breakfast is not well organised or tempting and could be improved. A fully equipped bar with sociable but utilitarian furniture is fine but not particularly atmospheric. However, drinks on the terrace, looking seaward through tended pinewoods to the beach, are a real pleasure. Generally, in the open plan public living area the décor, while simple, is tastefully chosen and arranged. The beach bar and café cater for the eating and drinking as a break from beach and water action.
For variety, a visit to Viana do Castelo provides historic interest; and there is excellent local food and drink for dinner at decent prices, at a mix of quality restaurants, friendly and inviting.
Feelviana is for outdoor active people, who enjoy water-sports particularly. It caters for children, and operates a creche, on which Sherbhert is not qualified to comment. It is popular with youngish couples. Feelviana can be summarised as a Summer version of a skiing chalet hotel. With the right weather, this, as its name implies, is a feel-good holiday place.
