These are the best hotels in Porto old town
Saboaria
Saboaria is a 5-star hotel with a fantastic earthy vibe, due to the use of materials such as basketry and terracotta, with beige and green colors highlighted. Interestingly, it is a hotel full of history, as the building belonged to a Galician family who founded a soap factory (and hence the hotel’s name). On top of that, it has a fantastic location, less than 5 minutes walk from the renovated Bolhão Market.
Some of the rooms, always impeccably clean and very well lit, have a patio, others offer views of the city, and some suites also have a hot tub.
Saboaria has a small terrace/garden with an outdoor swimming pool with a jacuzzi next to it, both heated – it’s a very pleasant space. It also has a treatment area, with a Turkish bath and massage.
The only thing Saboaria lacks is having a private parking lot, but that can easily be solved with a transfer to Porto airport.
Sé Catedral Hotel Porto, Tapestry Collection By Hilton
I still remember the first time I went to pick up a group of clients from our private tours in the Douro valley at the Sé Catedral Hotel Porto by Hilton and being amazed by its funky decor, full of neons and bright colors. The decoration is, in fact, one of the factors that makes this hotel stand out, with a modern and bold design, with neon lights that coexist peacefully with some antique furniture. There’s even foosball in the common room: do you want anything better than this?!
Its location is also fantastic, right next to Porto Cathedral and less than a 5-minute walk from the famous São Bento station.
Palace Museum – Espaço Palmeiras
The Palace museum – Espaço Palmeiras is a 4-star museum hotel whose construction dates back to 1850, as it was the winter residence of an illustrious noble family. Thus, it is one of the best hotels in Porto old town that are only available to adults, due to its high heritage value.
The hotel and its suites maintain their traditional and refined spirit, combined with modern details for greater comfort. The suites are spacious and refined, with a beautiful living area, and one of the suites has a fantastic bathtub in the bedroom and beautiful wooden details on the ceiling.
For me, the only disadvantage of staying at the Palace museum – Espaço Palmeiras is that it is one of hotels in Porto old town without a swimming pool or a spa.
GA Palace Hotel & Spa
The GA Palace Hotel & Spa is a new 5-star hotel that recently opened in the iconic Bonfim neighborhood, where I live. It is an old villa from the 19th century, with immense refinement and careful decoration. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, especially the master suite, which is to die for.
But what really makes the GA Palace Hotel & Spa stand out on this list of the best hotels in Porto old town is its beautiful terrace, perfect for sunbathing by the pool. It also has an excellent restaurant (Acqua, a traditional Italian osteria), a spa with an indoor pool, sauna and a small gym for guests who want to stay active during their stay in Porto.
Wine & Books Porto Hotel
The Wine & Books Porto Hotel is a brand new 5-star hotel in Porto with BEAUTIFUL decor: the design of the furniture in all the hotel’s spaces is really well cared for and in great taste.
Another thing that makes the Wine & Books Porto Hotel stand out from the rest is the fact that it has exceptionally wide beds (~2 meters), a rarity in Portuguese hotels. The only thing that (I personally) don’t like is the fact that the bathrooms in the rooms are all glazed – so much for some privacy!
The Wine & Books Porto Hotel has private parking (paid), spa with indoor pool (the area is beautiful and very good for relaxing after a day of sightseeing), gym, hammam, and restaurant & bar.
Mercure Porto Centro Aliados
I’m not even a big fan of the Mercure chain, but I have to recognize that the Mercure Porto Centro Aliados is one of the best hotels in Porto old town. It is a 4-star hotel located right in the city center, with a cheerful decor in shades of blue and plenty of wood.
The Mercure Porto Centro Aliados has a terrace with a heated outdoor pool (it’s a spacious and beautiful area), a gym, a shared lounge, restaurant, bar and private parking.
It also has an excellent breakfast with plenty of continental, vegetarian and vegan options.
Axis Porto Club Aliados
Axis Porto Club Aliados is a 4-star hotel located right in front of Porto’s central station, the Trindade metro station. The facilities are new and modern, with a corporate style and very beautiful. Furthermore, throughout the hotel you will find sculpted plaster panels alluding to the history of Futebol Clube do Porto and the city, so if you are a fan of the king’s sport I recommend that you stay at Axis Porto Club Aliados 🙂
Laranjais Boutique Suites & Apartments
Os Laranjais Boutique Suites & Apartments is a 4-star hotel whose building is over 250 years old. Throughout history, the building was gradually adapted to accommodate service spaces, residential units, offices and shops; until today when, after a long period of abandonment, it has been transformed into a premium hotel project.
The hotel offers 24 complete apartments measuring 30 to 80 m2 with a bedroom, a living area, a fully equipped kitchenette (except oven), dining area and full or en-suite bathroom. It is, therefore, a good choice for families with kids – there are apartments with one bedroom with a double bed and another bedroom with a single bed, or 2 bedrooms with a double bed.
The only “problem” of the Laranjais Boutique Suites & Apartments is that they do not have common spaces – there is no swimming pool, for example – and are “only” private apartments.
Pousada do Porto – Rua das Flores
Everyone already knows that I’m a big fan of Pousadas de Portugal, and Pousada do Porto – Rua das Flores is no exception. This hotel, in addition to being located in a historic building from the 17th century at the heart of Rua das Flores, it has a heated indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, terrace (recognized for its vertical garden), bar and even a meeting room.
Unfortunately, this magnificent hotel does not have a parking lot, but it is possible to use the SABA – Cardosas parking lot, 200 meters away from the hotel, and take advantage of the preferential price for guests that Pousada Porto – Rua das Flores has agreed with this parking lot.
Exmo Hotel by Olivia
The Exmo Hotel by Olivia is a 4-star hotel with a great balance between contemporary and history, with a minimalist and modern decor. The rooms (simple and practical) are soundproofed, which is great given that it is located on a very busy street (not no noise comes in).
There are nine different room categories to choose from and all offer superb views over the city or the Douro River. Some rooms have a terrace.
Another thing I like about the Exmo Hotel by Olivia, which is one of the best hotels in Porto old town, is that breakfast is served in a room that is available throughout the day, so guests can eat tapas accompanied by a good glass of wine, cocktail or Italian hot chocolate.
PortoBay Flores
PortoBay Flores is a fantastic 5 star hotel located in a building with 500 years of history.
I could talk about the rooms but what really makes PortoBay Flores stand out in this list of the best hotels in Porto old town is its spa, with 3 treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, gym and a small indoor pool with natural light. It also has a meeting room, reading room and an 18th century chapel, laundry room and a small garden. It really is a magnificent hotel!
Porto River Infante
The Porto River Infante is one of my favorite hotels in Porto old town since the moment I first crossed the doors because it has a very rustic and charming atmosphere. The rooms have stone walls, which contrast with the white and minimalist furniture, and details of color in cushions and decorative objects. Furthermore, Porto River Infante has a bar, where you can have breakfast (it’s very good!)
Rooms and studios are available, all soundproofed. The studios feature a kitchenette with a dishwasher, microwave and stovetop, which is great.
Maria da Sé Historic House
Maria da Sé Historic House is a modern property inside but with an old and charming look, with a beautiful stone wall throughout the property. All rooms are soundproofed and some have a kitchenette with a fridge, oven and microwave, as well as a balcony.
One thing that I have always really liked about Maria da Sé Historic House is that the service is exceptional – the staff are very attentive and receptive to the guests’ requests (example: custard tarts or Port wine upon arrival).
Unfortunately, Maria da Sé Historic House does not have a swimming pool, so if this is important to you, see the other options in this article.
Hotel das Virtudes
Hotel das Virtudes is a 5-star hotel located in a historic building dating back to the 16th century, combining classic elements (such as stone walls) with contemporary decor, maintaining great comfort in the rooms with soft colors and comfortable sofas and chairs.
Hotel das Virtudes has a restaurant and bar & rooftop, both beautiful, and serves a very complete and high-quality breakfast.
Memória Porto FLH Hotels
Memória Porto FLH Hotels is a small but very welcoming, clean and quiet 4-star hotel, with new and modern facilities. It has a beautiful decor, using soft tones like beige and natural woods.
The 27 rooms are spread over 4 floors, which gives guests a great sense of privacy.
The only thing that I feel “fails” at the Memória Porto FLH Hotels is its accessibility as it is located on a narrow street in the city center, with Portuguese pavement, which makes it difficult to move around with suitcases.
