Hotel Portuense

Popular with vacationers on a budget, Pensao Residencial Portuense is located on a cobblestoned street inside a pretty sky-blue building with wrought-iron balconies. But inside, decor is limited in the rooms and common areas. There’s a small wooden desk in the lobby and a circle of red and white chairs behind an accordion room divider where guests can sit and access the free Wi-Fi. An elevator is available to bring guests up to their rooms, and stairways have white walls and wooden steps. Breakfast is served in a plain, white-walled room with patterned wallpaper up to the chair rail molding and tables with blue tablecloths and dark chairs. 

The hotel is located behind the Hard Rock Cafe and a block from Av. Liberdade, a street known for its high-end shopping, with stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and it’s within a five-minute walk to the Restauradores metro station, making it an easy commute to most of the city. The airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. 

The rooms at the hotel are plain and simple, with white walls, wooden floors, and no wall decorations. Furnishings feel dated and include wall-mounted tube TVs, floor-length curtains, and wooden furnishings. Rooms on higher floors are available with balconies, and there are rooms available with three beds. Bathrooms are covered in white tiles and have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Soap is provided, but shampoo and other toiletries are not. Some guests complain of street noise and thin walls between rooms. 

The hotel has few amenities, though they do serve a free -- but limited -- breakfast including bread, jam, and juice. There are also vending machines with snacks and drinks in the breakfast room. Free Wi-Fi is available in the reception area and the breakfast room, and the hotel has an elevator.