Axis Vermar Conference & Beach Hotel

Axis is a local hotel group with seven hotels currently under its belt, all of them located in northern Portugal. The Axis Vermar Conference & Beach Hotel is one of its more recent acquisitions, with 208 rooms and 8 conference rooms. It caters primarily to large tour groups and conferences, which may make the hotel seem busy and crowded on occasion. Decor is clean and minimalistic, with neutral pine furniture and some mood lighting that includes concentric circular light fixtures in the hallway. The pool spaces are especially inviting: the indoor pool is elegant and serene and features shimmery gold columns, while the outdoor pool has views to the Atlantic Ocean and plenty of space for sunbathing. 

Being in the residential area of Povoa de Varzim has its drawbacks, but also some perks. The hotel is on a quiet cobblestone side street that leads to the Atlantic Ocean and a long stretch of beaches. However, there’s a lack of shops, restaurants and things to do in the immediate area. The seaside promenade is 30 seconds away and is a pleasant walk at sunset and on sunny days. The nearest nightlife is about a 20-minute walk south down the seafront, or seven minutes away by car. As one of Portugal’s few legal gambling areas, the Casino da Povoa is popular and is next door to Passeio Alegre. Other main attractions such as the historical Igreja de Sao Pedro de Rates and the bars of Rua Caetano de Oliveira are en route to the casino. For shopping and a glimpse of classic Portuguese architecture head to Rua da Junqueira, which is one block from the casino. Porto is about a 30-minute drive away, and its airport will take 20 minutes to reach by car.

In keeping with the public spaces of the hotel, rooms have a minimalist, modern look that's not particularly exciting, but pleasant enough for a few days. The furniture -- light colored wood with white PU leather -- has a chic, almost mod vibe, and the wood paneling continues the intentionally retro motif. Standard features include minibars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms come with balconies and sea views, which guests stress is well worth the upgrade. Bathrooms are fairly standard, with neutral colored tiling and white ceramic sinks and tubs. It’s certainly no design hotel, but its simplicity will appeal to guests who don't need a ton of design flourishes to be happy.

The two most striking perks of this hotel are its elegant indoor pool and easy beach access -- though the downsides are that there’s a cost to access the indoor pool, and underwater rocks offshore can make it dangerous to attempt an ocean swim. Thankfully, the outdoor pool has a large sunbathing area and is free for all guests, as are the outdoor tennis court and gym -- although the gym is sparsely equipped. There are eight different conference rooms for large conferences, and the restaurant makes a valiant effort to cater for large groups by offering local Portuguese inspired dishes as well as a variety of international dishes. However, food doesn't receive enthusiastic marks from previous guests. Buffet breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi are all free.