Item: Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos
Rating: 9
Author: Marie-Ève Leclerc

Whether you want to learn how to surf in Porto or just breathe in the salty air and enjoy the beach, the Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos, a Marriott Bonvoy hotel, will offer you a pleasant and affordable stay.

During my two months of remote work in Europe and Morocco, I decided to make a stop in Porto. This charming Portuguese city is well worth a visit and offers a completely different experience from Lisbon.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Reservation

My stay cost 94 euros in October 2022 for a deluxe room with a king bed and a view of the city. In points, prices range from 15,000 to 21,000 per night, depending on seasonality.

Review : Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos in Porto | Marriott Bonvoy - Tarifs Four Points Sheraton Matosinhos

I was also able to take advantage of this promotion to earn 4,000 bonus points during my stay.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to be a Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Cardholder (and/or Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Cardholder).

In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a certificate for one free hotel night (35,000 point value) as well as 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

Review : Moxy Lisboa Oriente | Marriott Bonvoy - londres

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,110

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Location

The hotel is located a few steps from Matosinhos Beach and a metro stop. The location is ideal for those who want to relax at the beach or take surfing or kiteboarding lessons. You can reach the center of Porto in 30 minutes by public transport, or 20 minutes by car.

Review : Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos in Porto | Marriott Bonvoy - Four Points Porto-74

Although quiet, the neighborhood offers several nice restaurants and cafes. The promenade along the beach provides the perfect backdrop for a walk or jog by the sea.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Registration

The new hotel opened in March 2022, and it shows. The common areas have a very modern and welcoming decoration.

Review : Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos in Porto | Marriott Bonvoy - Four Points Porto-48

The staff was very courteous when I checked in and advised me to book my breakfast (not included in my reservation) right away at a cost of 12.50 euros to avoid paying the full price of 17 euros if I booked it last minute.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Room

I really liked my room which was both modern and comfortable. The decor fits well with its location, with an earthy color palette that gives a warm ambiance and the ocean blue tiles found throughout the hotel.

Europe and Morocco: two months of travel and remote work on a budget - Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos 17

A small welcome snack was waiting for me, also inspired by the sea. As you can see, the room was very well equipped with a mini-refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities, a wardrobe and a flat screen TV. I’ll let you explore the photos:

The bathroom was equally modern and well thought out, with Activ toiletries.

My colleague Marie-Claude also stayed at this hotel; we only missed each other by one week! Since she was traveling with her family, she opted for two connecting rooms with a well-equipped kitchenette.

The decoration looks the same, but thanks to her Titanium status, they received several extra little surprises!

Here is an overview:

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Breakfast

For 12.50 euros, the breakfast certainly exceeded my expectations. Located in the basement restaurant, it served everything for every taste, not to mention the fabulous pastels de nata. I let you enjoy with your eyes :

Review : Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos in Porto | Marriott Bonvoy - Four Points Porto-39

Fresh breads, pastries, cold cuts and cheeses, cereal bar, fresh juices, pancakes, and the hot buffet: eggs, sausages, bacon served in Le Creuset casseroles, and more. There was something for everyone and it was delicious, as these pictures show:

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Other Services

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Common Areas

The Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos is not a very large hotel, but it has everything you need. In the main lobby, there is a lounge area and snacks that can be purchased next to the reception desk.

Review : Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos in Porto | Marriott Bonvoy - Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos 79

On the other side, a bar is available day and night and a little further on, a small café where you can fill up on pastel de nata between two visits to the beach. You will also find workstations with computers available for customers.

Finally, you can get some fresh air while enjoying your espresso thanks to the small outdoor terrace that serves as an extension of the café, ideally covered for rainy days in Porto.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Fitness Center

The Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos offers a well-equipped fitness center for cardio and strength training.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – Parking

If needed, parking is available on site at a cost of 10 euros per day.

Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – My general impression

For the price, the Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos is a great option for those who want a beach stay with easy access to downtown Porto.

With its modern and warm decor and very attentive staff, I would definitely return for a future stay in Porto.