The Best Boutique Hotels in Porto
The beautiful city of Porto is like a rare vintage port – rich, delicious and only getting better with age. Here are the best boutique hotels from which to soak up the city, all bookable with Culture Trip.
Sitting on the Douro River, close to the Atlantic and with a charming historic centre, Porto has plenty of picturesque spots in which to base your Portuguese adventure. But which to pick? Happily, there are a host of boutique hotels spread across the city offering a prime location and plenty of style – how about a fancy converted palace, former stationary shop or luxury townhouse?
1. PortoBay Flores
Boutique Hotel
History and modernity meet at this five-star hotel on Rua das Flores. It’s comprised of two buildings – a 16th-century palace and a new wing. Inside, 66 elegant rooms sit beside a spa with a sauna, gym and indoor pool. There’s even a reading room and 18th-century chapel. The bar and bistro both retain original features, such as stone walls and pillars, and serve everything from sautéed garlic prawns to duck magret.
2. Exmo Hotel
Boutique Hotel
This centrally located hotel has a laid-back vibe – guests are encouraged to borrow books from the living room library and help themselves to homemade cake in the bar. Rooms and suites are uncluttered and stylish, with wooden floors, whitewashed and exposed stone walls and contemporary lighting. The penthouse suite features a large balcony with river views. The bar has a cool, industrial feel with high ceilings and craft beer on tap.
4. Vila Foz Hotel & SPA
Boutique Hotel
Sea views, fine dining, sumptuous accommodation and an excellent spa are all on tap at this luxurious hotel, located 5km (3mi) west of the city centre. Dining in the restaurant is a highlight thanks to the palatial interior and gourmet food from head chef Arnaldo Azevedo. The 68 rooms and suites vary from twin and king-sized rooms to suites with balconies and various living areas.
5. Porto A.S. 1829
Boutique Hotel
This cosy hotel at the end of Rua das Flores was once one of the oldest stationery shops in Europe. It has 41 classy rooms, a brilliant restaurant and friendly service, and artefacts from the former store are displayed on its walls and in cabinets – look out for the retro typewriter and boxes of pen nibs. Rooms are decorated in calming shades of grey and green, with big windows allowing natural light to stream in, and bathrooms with Portuguese tiling and freestanding baths.
6. Zero Box Lodge Porto
Hotel
Sleeping in a box may not sound so appealing, but the “boxes” of this hotel are cool and comfortable, offering an affordable night’s kip in the heart of Porto. The wooden lodges have no windows or TVs, and come in three sizes, all with private bathrooms. There’s also the chance to stay the night for free, which involves sleeping in a glass box that can be seen by other guests … Not one for the shy.
7. 1872 River House
Boutique Hotel
8. Pestana Vintage Porto
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
9. Oporto Boutique Guest House
Guesthouse
10. Rosa et al Townhouse
Hotel, Bed and Breakfast
11. Malmerendas Boutique Lodging
Boutique Hotel
12. Pestana Palácio do Freixo (Pousada do Porto)
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
13. InterContinental Porto – Palacio Das Cardosas
Hotel
14. Hotel Teatro
Hotel
15. Hotel da Música
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
16. The Yeatman Hotel
Hotel
This is an updated version of an article originally written by Nina Santos.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.