Carris Porto Ribeira

The Carris Porto Ribeira hotel is partially set in a medieval fourteenth century building which has been carefully refurbished. The property is appealing to those who have an interest in history and architecture, as many original features still remain. It is said that parts of the building’s basement were used as prison cells in medieval times, and that the area now used as a tapas bar was once a chapel. The lobby and public areas of the hotel are now a stunning blend of history and modern design. Steel and glass staircases and contemporary wood and cream furniture work well with the pale stone walls, floors, and dramatic arches. A panoramic elevator has also been installed where guests can see through the many arches of the property as they ascend to their rooms, and the hotel sparingly employs contemporary art to complement, rather than compete with, the architecture. Due to the hotel’s location in the center of the historic district, it mainly attracts couples on city breaks who want to see Porto's sights on foot.

Situated in Porto’s historic Ribeira district, the hotel is on a pretty cobblestone street and is just up the street from Ribeira Plaza. There are plenty of things to see and do in the local area, from boat tours on the river, a traditional fruit market, and many different bars and restaurants. The property is ideally situated for tourists wanting to see the main sights of Porto on foot. Just a five-minute walk away are many historic sights such as Porto Cathedral, the former palace Paco Episcopal do Porto, the medieval fort Torre Medieval do Porto, and the gothic Monument Church of St. Francis. There are also a number of excellent museums within a five-minute walk including Casa do Infante, Museu de Arte Sacra, and the decorative arts at Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro. Sao Bento Metro station is just a five-minute walk from the property too, and Porto Airport is a 20-minute drive away. 

The hotel’s 90 guest rooms are available are available in a variety of categories, including Junior Suites which have a spacious sitting area and balcony and bi-floor Duplex Suites that look like chic small apartments (albeit without kitchens). Rooms are decorated in sharp muted shades of gray and taupe, and have monochrome abstract artwork on the walls. Furniture is minimalist and contemporary -- it almost has a Scandinavian look, especially in units like the Junior Suite that we visited -- and there are dark wood floors throughout. Some rooms have exposed brick walls from the original building, and many have wonderful views across the rooftops of Porto. 

Rooms are all equipped with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms have electric kettles. Bathrooms are elegant -- done in the same restrained style as the rooms, with white and tan accents -- and have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, generous vanities, contemporary fixtures, and luxurious toiletries, plus internal windows which give the feel of extra space and light to the rooms. Some previous guests have found that street noise filters in to the lower rooms at the front of the property.

The hotel's Forno Velho Restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine beneath the original stone arches of the building. Simple black-and-white furniture and mood lighting create a sophisticated atmosphere. There is also a tapas bar on-site which has rustic decor that includes untreated wooden tables, beer barrels, and stone walls. Dishes like octopus, clams, and smoked hams can be sampled. Drinks are served at the hotel's bar where floor to ceiling windows allow drinkers to watch the world going by on the cobbled street outside. A buffet-style breakfast is served daily with a good choice of fruit, cereal, bacon, sausage, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, croissants, cakes, and bread, though it’s not included in the room rate. There's even a small fitness center here -- it's not much, but there are a few modern machines, it gets natural light, and is nice to have given the city-center location. Room service is also available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.