I stayed at the Axis Ofir in September with a large group. The rooms were lovely and large and I had a good view over the gardens and beach. While functional the rooms could be doing with some updating and the safety deposit boxes were key operated and the key for mine had gone missing. The management did offer to change my room which I refused as I had unpacked and they did offer use of the office safe free of charge which was good but I think they would be better to change them to electronic safes for the future. The breakfasts were extensive and very good but I found the food in the evening slightly bland and safe. The public areas were nice and the bar was resonably priced. The beach is fantastic although you can walk for miles without realising. We had some lovely lunches at the nearby town of Apulia and on days out. Overall I had a lovely stay there and would go back again. Can not fault the helpful and friendly staff.

One of the staff advised us that the hotel would be closing shortly for refurbishment. Not sure how extensive, but it may be advisable to see what reviews say in the new year to find out if improvements have been made.
As stated by others, the decor is currently rather tired and dated.
All rooms have balcony, but some face inland across the car park. Our room was spacious and clean, but the air-conditioning never worked despite being reported. Could have been an issue in hotter months. We had to have the balcony door open to get some air - the road/ car park outside was extremely noisy on Friday and Saturday nights when local surfers 'slept' in their cars. Would have been OK if we could keep our door shut!!
Breakfasts were OK. Good selection of fruits, meats, cheeses etc but limited range of hot fare. Plenty of it though!
We had buffet dinner, as did just about everyone else. Good selection of starters and sweets, but late arrivers were left with drastically reduced choice! Main course was usually a choice of a meat or a fish dish, along with usual veg/ rice/ pasta to match. Quality was OK, but there was no wow factor. Drinks were reasonable price - under 2 euros for a beer; wine was 7 to 12 euros a bottle.
Outside of the hotel:-
There are a couple of mini markets across the road where you can get most essentials.
Eating out, we found the cost of food and drink to be very reasonable (around 25% less than Algarve) and the locals were very helpful.
It would definitely pay to brush up on a few Portuguese phrases, as very few people here in the North speak any English.
And take a phrase book with you when dining out. Very few restaurants/ cafes have an English menu. (You wouldn't want to end up with the local speciality of tripe, would you? Or perhaps you would!!)
The adjacent beach is superb and very popular with families, particularly at weekends. There was a lifeguard in attendance.
We wouldn't mind staying here again if the rumoured refurbishment takes place.

Would not recommend this hotel or complete local area at all.... This hotel might have been a 4-star back in 70´s or early 80´s... however no way near European Standards of a 4-star.. would say more like a 2-star...
Rooms clean though dispite a smell of "old rooms"....
Painting of swimmingpool-buttom was cracked and looked dirty - the "putting green" looked like the moon however the tennis courts were in great shape ...

Stayed at Axis Ofir in Porto City Center for one night before flying back to Denmark... 4 star as well - but this time a valid & recommendable 4-star !! great stay - great hotel - however not this "resort"....

If you want a slightly remote hotel, but with easy bus and road connections to more active resorts. you'll like it here. Apart from the pool scene and incredible miles of gentle sandy beaches, there is not much to do - but this makes for super-lazy days, free from noisy youngsters - a major bonus. Outstanding and friendly staff make the hotel a delight, and whilst we were initially sceptical of the buffet self-service meals, this actually works very well, allowing you to choose what and how much you want to eat of the very well prepared and presented food. Local wine and beer are cheap and there is a wide variety of cafes within immediate walking distance. We were on half board so only had mid-day snacks away from the hotel.

The amazing miles-long beaches are a delight to walk at low tide, although the water is cold (next westbound landfall is Newfoundland, Canada) and the beaches are literally a stone's throw from the Hotel's grounds. The sunsets are quite amazing.

If none of the local cafes appeal to you, you can easily walk into the adjacent village of Fao for snacks and food, or take a longer walk across the bridge to Esposende. For tourist trips, take the local bus north to the lovely town of Viana do Castelo - the new bus station is integral with the railway station; or for a more Blackpool-like resort, south by local bus to Povoa de Varzim where you can catch the outstandingly good Metro (new electric tram) service to Porto, and gorge yourselves on the dozens of port warehouse trips, with obligatory tasting and economical purchases.

We found the Portuguese people universally friendly and helpful, and several weeks learning basic Portuguese from a teach-yourself CD before we left home paid off in spades after we arrived. We were easily able to order food, drinks etc and get directions and buy items in the various shops. I can't stress enough what a huge difference this made to our holiday.

We were in Room 358 from 26-Sept-09 to 10-Oct-09, with travel agents Archers Direct, flying from Birmingham to Frankfurt to Porto. We would be pleaed to amplify any of this information for anyone interested in staying at the Hotel Axis Ofir.