Solar Antigo Luxury, Coimbra

Pros

• Solar Antigo is centrally located; you can forget about your rental (if you have one) and walk to the sights, including the University of Coimbra, and nearby cafés and bars.
• The historic building maintains its original architecture and plays up its history with old-world ornate, gold accent pieces and solid velvet and leather furniture. 
• A continental breakfast is delivered to your room each morning or, conveniently, the night before if you have an early start the next day.
• Opt for the Spa suite, which features a small pool, sauna, and jetted tub—a great way to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
• It's a 15-minute uphill walk from the Coimbra-A train station, though there's a bus stop just over 200 feet (70 m) away.

Cons

• The bathroom space is tight and not entirely soundproofed from the rest of the bedroom.
• The ceilings and/or beams in some areas of the hotel are quite low for taller travelers.
• If you have a room on an upper floor, know that there isn't elevator access.

Authenticity

Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra's rooms are within a historic building, preserving its original architecture: stone walls and exposed brick and wood beams. The property's goal is to create a space for its guests to feel like residents of the city, which is mostly accomplished by it's central location. 

Location

What Solar Antigo lacks in amenities, the property makes up for in its proximity to the university, which is a short 7-minute stroll away. Many other attractions, like the National Museum Machado de Castro and the Santa Cruz church, are within a 5-10-minute walking radius, as are a grocery store and restaurants. And with no street parking, the area outside the hotel is fairly quiet. The Coimbra-A train station is about a 15-minute meandering (uphill) walk along cobblestones.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra's rooms have been renovated to preserve as much of the original building's character as possible. You'll find stone walls, exposed brick, and/or wooden beams and deep-set arched windows. Furniture is a mix of lacquered and modern, with velvet, leather, ornately embellished, and gold-painted accent pieces. Bathrooms appear like an afterthought, "floating" in-room and are fairly cramped with little space to house your toiletries, while some guestrooms have a freestanding soaking tub. For a truly luxurious option, book yourself the Solar Antigo Luxury Spa suite for added space, a kitchenette, a small plunge pool, a spa bath, and a sauna.

Amenities

There are few amenities here. Breakfast is delivered to your room daily, and there's parking for bikes if you've rented one.

Family-Friendliness

Solar Antigo Luxury Coimbra isn't particularly suited to families; there aren't specific kid-oriented amenities. However, the Deluxe King Suite sleeps up to three guests, and the Deluxe Apartment can accommodate five, with cots available upon request (and subject to availability). For longer stays, the Deluxe Apartment also has a kitchenette.