A great place to live, just a stone’s throw from Paris, Porto—Portugal’s second-largest city after Lisbon—has plenty of pleasant surprises in store for a few days of relaxation, diverse discoveries, and delightful culinary experiences… Not to mention a hotel scene that boasts a few hidden gems we’ve handpicked. Take a guided tour.
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Located on one of the city’s grand boulevards, the Monumental Porto—a five-star hotel owned by the Maison Albar group and a member of Leading Hotels of the World—is housed in a building dating back to 1923 that went through many changes before being completely renovated from top to bottom.
No sooner had I stepped through the door of this hotel in Porto This is where the name “Monumental” truly comes into its own: the interior design by architects Jacques Bec and Artur Miranda of the Portuguese firm Oitoemponto showcases Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, featuring an abundance of marble, velvet, and mirrors to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Perched on one of Porto’s main thoroughfares, Le Monumental offers views from its rooms of the historic city center—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the elegant bank buildings, culminating in the majestic City Hall. The 63 rooms and 13 suites, spread across four floors, feature a blend of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles. The designers have played with a juxtaposition of graphic patterns adorning the walls and complementing the lacquered woodwork, all accentuated by custom-made furniture to make each room unique. However, in the rooms, a few modern touches—such as televisions embedded in the mirrors—unabashedly embrace a distinctly 21st-century aesthetic! Our favorite suites? The Affolante Suite (80 m2), which pays homage to the 1930s; the simplicity of the walls is accentuated by the geometric lines of the lattice screens separating the living room from the bedroom. The “30” carpet adds a touch of whimsy, and the Monumental Suite (87 m²), designed like an apartment, embodies the art of living found in historic patrician mansions. The hotel’s hidden gem: the vast library, which charms with its warm, distinctly 1930s atmosphere. A true sanctuary with walls clad in lacquered wood, guests can settle into a deep sofa in front of the fireplace to browse through one of the 3,500 volumes of antique books in every language. As for the Nuxe-branded spa—the brand’s first in Portugal—it spans 350 m² and features three treatment rooms (including one for two), a sauna, and a hammam. The pool, with its walls clad in bluish ceramic tiles that reflect in the water, along with its marble columns and mosaic floor, embodies all the hallmarks of the 1930s!
Good to know When it comes to dining, the Monumental Palace is second to none! Michelin-starred French chef Julien Montbabut delights his guests at three different restaurants. The Monumental Café brasserie, featuring an incredible 18th-century fireplace—uncovered in London and topped with a gilded wooden Neptune—embodies the spirit of a Parisian brasserie and offers a blend of French and Portuguese cuisines; the Monument, the fine-dining restaurant, showcases contemporary French cuisine, and the Bar Americain, with its speakeasy vibe, offers a menu blending exclusive and classic cocktails, as well as a selection of the finest port wines, all paired with dishes to share.
Maison Albar Hotels, the Monumental Palace, Avenidas dos Aliados 151. Tel: +351 227 662 410.
Superior Room: approximately 250 €
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Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments
Housed in a palace dating from 1884, the Torel 1884 offers 12 rooms and suites, and just 200 meters away, 11 apartments on Rua das Flores—Porto’s most famous street—right next to the Ferreira Borges Market. The decor of this 4-star boutique hotel draws inspiration from Portugal’s great discoveries and showcases in each room the exotic goods traded during that era: silk, spices, coffee, tea, porcelain…The Torel 1884 features a bar and restaurant, the Bartolomeu Bistro & Wine, an ideal spot to sip a glass of Portuguese wine paired with a few local specialties.
228 N. Mouzinho da Silveira St., 4050-417 Porto. Starting at €120 per night.
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M Private Residence
Fully restored by Marco Leite de Faria and his mother, Maria Irene Schultze, this 16th-century building, located in Porto’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel with 10 suites featuring terraces and superb views of the city. Guests can admire coffered ceilings, stucco work, statues, antique chandeliers and mirrors, and period azulejos,
66 Largo São Domingos, 4050-545 Porto. Starting at €160 per night.
Torel Palace Porto | Santo Ildefonso Neighborhood
Opened in February 2021, the Torel Palace Porto is the Torel Boutiques group’s new boutique hotel in the heart of Porto. Rated five stars, the hotel has preserved the history and charm of the 1861 mansion in which it is housed, while boasting a very contemporary look. Behind its ornate façade, it features 24 rooms and suites—ranging from 21 to 60 m²—each named after a Portuguese writer or poet, a Phytomer spa, an emerald-green pool, and, of course, the Blind Gastrobar, which offers blind tastings.
Good to know the cubes that house the bathrooms in some of the rooms
Torel Palace Porto – Rua de Entreparedes, 40 4000-197 Porto – Portugal. Reservations: (+351) 226090559 reservas@torelpalaceporto.com. Rates: starting at 160 euros (low season). Blind Gastrobar: open daily from 12:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Breakfast: 7:30–11:00 a.m.
PortoBay Hotel Teatro
Located on the site of the former Baquet Theater, this 4-star hotel—which was completely renovated in the first half of 2021—is situated in the heart of the city’s historic center in the «theater district.» The 74 rooms, some with terraces, feature a contemporary style. And the restaurant Il Basilico, whose wallpaper depicts a theater audience, serves up Italian cuisine.
84 Rua de Sá da Bandeira, Porto. Starting at €175 per night.
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Pestana Porto – A Brasileira
This 5-star hotel, just a stone’s throw from Avenida dos Aliados, is housed in Porto’s famous café, A Brasileira—the first place to serve coffee—and has managed to retain its original charm. It features 89 rooms and suites decorated with themes inspired by spices imported during the 15th and 16th centuries, the golden age of Portugal’s overseas expeditions. Anise, coffee, tea, chocolate, and cinnamon are beautifully highlighted throughout. A restaurant with Portuguese influences, a patio featuring a green wall, and the A Brasileira café round out the offerings at the Pestana Porto.
91 R. de Sá da Bandeira, Porto. Starting at 90€ per night.
Exmo. Hotel | Ribeira Neighborhood
Housed in a medieval building with an ochre-colored facade, the Exmo. Hotel—a 4-star property in the São Nicolau neighborhood—offers 16 rooms and suites with a very contemporary style, some with balconies or terraces, as well as a bar and a restaurant. It offers a view of the Douro River and the Porto wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia on one side, and of the Ferreira Borges Market—now a hub for cultural events—on the other. The contemporary decor has preserved certain historic elements, such as the large old stones on one side of the wall in the bar.
Good to know? The Exmo. Hotel was designed by Floret Architecture, the darling of architecture and design magazines.
Exmo. Hotel Rua do Infante D. Henrique 91-65, 4050-297 Porto. Starting at €180 per night.
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Pestana Vintage Porto
This five-star hotel in the historic Ribeira district features 103 rooms, a restaurant called Rif Beer and Wine—recommended for lovers of meat and fine wine—and a bar. Its biggest draw? Views of the Douro River, the Gaia wine cellars, and the D. Luís Bridge.
Praça Ribeira No. 1, 4050-513 Porto. Starting at €160 per night.
Gran Cruz House
Gran Cruz, the world’s largest exporter of port wine, opened its first hotel in 2018. Named Gran Cruz House, this 7-room boutique hotel is housed in a 17th-century building in the heart of Porto’s historic center.
Praça da Ribeira, 19 Viela do Buraco, 4050-132 Porto. Starting at €200 per night.
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Cocorico Luxury GuestHouse |
In Old Porto, just a stone’s throw from Praça da Batalha and the São Lázaro Garden, the Cocorico, a boutique hotel operated by the Millésime Group (Domaine de Rabat in Talence, Grand Hôtel du Soleil d’Or in Megève, La Palmeraie in La Baule, and Château de Sacy near Reims), opened its doors in June 2018. This boutique hotel features nine spacious rooms, each with a balcony, as well as a bar, a patio, and a restaurant boasting a colorful interior design by Marie-Christine Mecoen. She highlights linen, rattan, and vibrant hues while paying homage to the cultures of both countries: the blue azulejos echo the blue of Lectoure, and the ironwork is a blend of Portuguese and French styles. The hotel’s name, «Cocorico,» is a clever choice, alluding to the rooster, the national symbol of both France and Portugal.
Good to know: The menu, created by Chef Flora Mikula, features dishes from various regions of France, paired with Portuguese wines.
97 R.do Duque de Loulé, 4000-053 Porto, Portugal
Sao Bento Residences
For a slightly different and very independent stay, Sao Bento Residences offers studios for 2 and apartments for 4 with fully equipped kitchens and balconies, featuring polished concrete interiors and colorful designer furniture, all just 600 meters from the Bolhão Market, not far from the famous Dom Luís Bridge. Av. D. Afonso Henriques No. 200, Porto. Starting at €100 per night.
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ROSA ET AL Townhouse | Boavista Neighborhood
Opened in 2012 by Patricia and Emanuel de Sousa—a brother and sister who are both architects—this 8-suite boutique hotel features a very minimalist design where white, cotton, and contemporary furniture take center stage. Guests come here to find peace and unwind; in fact, massages and aromatherapy treatments are available in the rooms. We love the standalone suite nestled in the garden. The top-floor library, situated beneath a beautiful domed glass roof, is the perfect spot to relax with a book in hand. The hotel’s dinner menus—featuring 3, 6, 9, or 12 courses paired with Portuguese wines—are a great touch, not to mention the tea and brunch options.
Good to know: Patricia and Samuel opened a coffee shop and slow-food restaurant called Early, just 5 minutes from their hotel. Definitely worth a visit.
ROSA ET AL Townhouse
Rua do Rosário 233, 4050-524 Porto, Starting at €85 per night.
Casa do Conto & Tipografia | Cedofeita Neighborhood
Just a stone's throw from the Casa da Música and Rua Miguel Bombarda—with their art galleries—the Casa do Conto, which was completely renovated in 2011, is a 19th-century buildinge, featuring a garden and restaurant where art and history blend together. The six guest rooms boast a distinctive design featuring shades of gray and white, photographs by Portuguese artists, and texts on the city’s architecture by contemporary authors inscribed on the high, exposed-concrete ceilings. The lobby, lounge, and library on the ground floor, in collaboration with the Inc. gallery, showcase works of art.
Good to know ? Opened in 2019 in a former workshop by the same team, Casa da Tipografia showcases artists and architects who present their projects there. Ten guest rooms are available for visitors eager to discover «something different.».
Casa do Conto – Tipografia do Conto
703 Rua da Boavista, 4050-110 Porto & 28 Rua de Álvares Cabral, 4050-107 Porto,
Starting at €80 and €120 per night.
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Torel Avantgarde Hotel | Miragaia Neighborhood
Perched on a hilltop just a 10-minute walk from the Douro River and a stone’s throw from the Crystal Palace gardens, the 5-star Torel Avantgarde offers panoramic views of the city. It features 27 rooms and 20 suites, some with terraces, whose decor is inspired by the 1930s and 1940s and pays homage to celebrities ranging from Max Ernst to Coco Chanel, Nina Simone, Hemingway, Salvador Dalí, Stanley Kubrick, and Marcel Duchamp… Throughout the hotel, guests can discover works by contemporary Portuguese artists. The hotel’s restaurant, Digby, serves contemporary Portuguese cuisine complemented by a fine selection of local wines. The hotel also features a garden, a Phytomer-branded spa, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool.
Good to know Don't miss out on a drink on the terrace at sunset to enjoy a view of Porto.
Torel Avantgarde Hotel Rua da Restauração 336, 4050-501 Porto, Starting at €150 per night.
The Yeatman Hotel | Villa Nova de Gaia
Located on the other side of the Douro River, in Vila Nova de Gaia—the historic home of the Port wine cellars—this 5-star hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux, features 20 suites and 89 guest rooms with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. It offers the most beautiful view of Porto and serves as the ideal base for exploring the city’s wine cellars, from the most famous to the most off-the-beaten-path. In a nod to the area’s heritage, the hotel features a Caudalie spa using grape-based products, as well as an indoor pool, a Roman bath, and a hammam… In the terraced gardens that cascade down to the river, there’s another pool. The Yeatman is the perfect stop for those looking to visit all of Porto’s wineries, from the most famous to the most hidden!
Good to know? The hotel is proud of its restaurant, A mecca of Portuguese cuisine, helmed by Chef Ricardo Costa, whose restaurant boasts two Michelin stars!
The Yeatman, Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Starting at €225 per night.
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa | Foz Do Douro Neighborhood
A change of atmosphere at the Vila Foz Hotel & Spa, located in the elegant neighborhood of Foz Do Douro—admittedly a bit far from the city center but right across from the ocean, in an elegant 19th-century mansione a historic building from the 19th century and its modern extension, set in a garden. The rooms are spacious, reflecting the original building’s design, and feature carved ceilings, moldings, wood paneling, and mirrors that perfectly complement Nini Andrade Silva’s interior design. She has highlighted a palette of greens and bronze, along with furniture that is both vintage and contemporary, creating a very cozy atmosphere. The hotel features 68 rooms and suites—some with ocean views—a bar, and two restaurants: the fine-dining Vila Foz and the more casual Flor the Lis. It also boasts a spa with a Turkish bath, sauna, and indoor pool; the skincare products are by Maison Codage Paris and Elemental Herbology.
Good to know? The hotel is next to the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art and the best seafood restaurants in Matosinhos.
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa, 236 Montevideo Ave., 4150-516 Porto. Starting at €220 per night.
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Vincci Porto | South of Massarelos
This 4-star hotel is located on the banks of the Douro River, in Porto’s historic center, a 5-minute walk from the Crystal Palace Gardens. Completely renovated, the Vincci Porto—built within the «Bolsa de Pescado,» the former fish market—features a slightly avant-garde style. The hotel features 95 rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace overlooking the river, as well as a restaurant, a bar, and a vast lobby beneath a glass roof and flanked by huge windows where the old market once stood. The decor features colorful walls, carpets, and abstract paintings, along with designer armchairs, vintage light fixtures, and large faceted marble columns, as well as marble and wood in the bathrooms.
Good to know: Don't miss a visit to the The Tram Museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico) is not far from the hotel, and the stops for lines 1 and 18 are right nearby, making it easy to get to the city center.
Vincci Porto
29 Alameda de Basílio Teles, 4150-127 Porto, starting at €75 per night.
