World-famous for its production of port wine and boasting an atmospheric pedestrian zone along the Douro River, there’s lots to love about Porto, and plenty to do too. It’s fun just to wander the cobbled streets in the historic center where the buildings are like works of art. If you plan on visiting, you’ll want a hotel that will easily allow you to enjoy it all. Any one of these options is sure to fit the bill.
Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace
Located on the magnificent Avenida dos Aliados, a short walk from the famous Ribeira, Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace sits within a grand Art Deco building with a gothic facade while the interior evokes the glamour of the 1920s and 30s. All rooms come with standard amenities like Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and marble-clad bathrooms. Some suites have balconies showcasing views of Porto’s skyline, while the apartments have full kitchens and dining areas. The spa is a highlight with a heated indoor pool, a Turkish bath, and a sauna. Multiple dining options are available on-site, from the Monumental Café, where breakfast is served to Le Monument Restaurant for fine dining.
The Yeatman
Located just south of the Douro River on a seven-acre hillside property, The Yeatman is a luxury wine and spa hotel in one of Europe’s best spa destinations. It puts guests just a 15-minute stroll from the Old Town and riverside promenade, too. Rooms feature photographs and accessories contributed by various Portuguese winemakers along with modern amenities like minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces, some with picturesque city views. The Bacchus suite is especially impressive, with a gas fireplace, revolving bed, and a free-standing copper tub. Guests can also enjoy swimming or lounging around the infinity pool with breathtaking views of the city and the river beyond, treatments at the magnificent spa, and outstanding dining. The Orangerie serves a hot buffet-style breakfast, and the highly lauded main restaurant offers delicious cuisine focusing on fresh local produce and imaginative wine pairings from a list of 1,100 bottles.
Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments
A design hotel with impressive features throughout, Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments offers 12 luxury rooms and suites in a former palace turned bespoke hotel. It has a quirky interior with everything from faux-flower ceilings to homages to famous painters, as well as a spa with a living wall of moss. The three floors of guest rooms are linked by a dramatic staircase illuminated by a skylight. All are individually decorated with themes based on various areas of exploration like Africa, Asia, and the Americas. All include minibars, TVs, and robes, with extra perks like a Jacuzzi available. There’s a wine bar restaurant, a library, and an honesty bar with a wide selection of spirits and mixers.
InterContinental Porto Palácio ds Cardosas
A luxury hotel housed in an 18th-century palace in the historic district at the end of Avenida dos Aliados, a stay at the InterContinental Porto Palácio ds Cardosas means that Porto’s famous Old Town will be just down the hill while Ribeira Square can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot. The spacious rooms are elegant, with sparkling chandeliers and impressive amenities like big flat-screen TVs with satellite and international channels, free Wi-Fi, minibars, robes, and slippers. Those needing more space might book one of the bi-level rooms with bedrooms upstairs, separate living spaces downstairs, and balconies overlooking Liberdade Square. The aromatic on-site wellness center offers a menu of massages, facials, waxing, a 24-hour gym, and a sauna. The hotel’s restaurant features dishes made with seasonal ingredients and sommelier-paired wines, and the bar offers live music on most evenings.
Torel Palace Porto
Set in an 1861 building considered to be one of the finest examples of romantic architecture in Porto, Torel Palace Porto has a warm, inviting atmosphere with a theme that revolves around literature. It hosts 24 opulent rooms, each unique, but all named after a famous Portuguese author. They include sparkling chandeliers, impressive works of art, and 24/7 room service. The on-site restaurant honors one of the most famous books by José Saramago, Essay on Blindness, with a menu featuring dishes based on local produce. Highly acclaimed chef Vitor Matos offers the unique “Blind Emotions” experience, where the menu is revealed only after each course is served. There’s also a spa and an emerald lap pool beneath walls of greenery.
Oca Flores Hotel Boutique
Located on one of the liveliest streets in downtown Porto, Rua das Flores, Oca Flores Hotel Boutique will put you steps from attractions like Clerigos Tower, shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s housed in an 18th-century building and offers a wide range of room options, including units with kitchenettes, balconies, and city views. Lots of high-tech can be found here, too, like TVs that are also mirrors and touchpad-controlled lights, while the marble-clad bathrooms come with fluffy robes. The spa offers blissful treatments like wine therapy and shiatsu massage, a sauna, a steam room, and a gym. Beneath the spa, a Roman bath awaits. A hot-and-cold breakfast buffet is served near the garden, and there’s also a wine and tapas bar.
Descobertas Boutique Hotel
Nestled on a bustling street along the Douro River, Descobertas Boutique Hotel will put you in the heart of it all. It’s less than a 5-minute walk to the iconic Dom Luis Bridge that links the city to the famous Port Wine cellars on the other side of the river – the reason Porto is a globally-renowned wine destination. The hotel was inspired by the places Portuguese navigators arrived at during the Discoveries, with each floor unique. They showcase some of the discovered colonies along with a variety of perspectives during the period. All come with electric kettles, minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms. Room service is available 24/7, and a complimentary hot breakfast is served daily in the Mezzanine Bar.
Torel Avantgarde
For what might be the best view of the Douro River and in an ideal location, it would be hard to beat Torel Avantgarde. A boutique hotel, it features classic works from local artists throughout, with every room themed differently around arts, literature, science, music, architecture, and design. They’re also named for artists from around the globe, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Charlie Chaplin. Those three rooms, in particular, are fabulous, with massive soaking tubs and balconies with stunning views. Digby is the on-site restaurant featuring a menu based on authentic Portuguese flavors and with an exceptional wine list, thanks to one of Europe’s best wine regions being in Porto’s backyard.
M.Ou.Co.
Located in the trendy Bonfim neighborhood, M.Ou.Co. has a unique desert-style design that feels similar to what you’d find at a Palm Springs boutique hotel. It has a saltwater pool tucked into the gardens, surrounded by loungers, but what makes it especially unique is that it offers a music therapy program, three rehearsal rooms, and a concert venue. There’s even a guitar menu, and rooms have a turntable, record library, and high-quality sound system. In the record library, you’ll find some 600 vinyl albums available to borrow. Room furnishings include bespoke items designed in Portugal and vintage items sourced in the city, along with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Nespresso machines. Higher-end suites have balconies and free-standing tubs, while apartments include full kitchens.
Pestana Palácio do Freixo
Pestana Palácio do Freixo is an excellent pick for those who would rather be further from the tourist crowds and main attractions in a more tranquil setting. Located further down the river, this legendary historic hotel sits within a beautifully restored Baroque-style palace – a national monument with Versailles-style surrounding gardens. Guests enjoy spectacular views over the river and an interior with antiques and period furniture. A free shuttle bus can bring you to the city center, and you’ll find a wide range of facilities on the property, including an infinity pool with bubble jets and an indoor heated pool. There’s a Turkish-style steam room, a sauna, and a spa with a menu of rejuvenating treatments.
NH Collection Porto Batalha
A four-star hotel in the central Batalha district, NH Collection Porto Batalha is just a 5-minute walk from the Sao Bento train station. Many significant attractions and local Porto tours are easily reached on foot. It’s housed within the city’s old post office and has a postal theme, with stamp prints on the walls, carpets patterned with postage stamps, and room numbers marked on old postcards. There’s a pool, a gym, and a spa with a small sauna and steam rooms, while the on-site restaurant serves a buffet-style breakfast and beautifully crafted lunches and dinners. There’s a bar that offers oyster and gin nights with live DJs on Thursdays. Rooms are spacious and come with Nespresso machines with complimentary coffee capsules, 48″ TVs, and bathrooms with rainfall showers.
