HF Fénix Porto

This 13-story modern property has an unusual, angular exterior which is lit blue at night. The lobby has blue lighting too, and while the effect is certainly eye-catching, it gives the interiors a nightclub-like vibe that won't be appealing to everyone. An unfortunate consequence of once trendy decor like this is that it looks less fresh more quickly than other more timeless design choices, which is how it feels inside of this hotel's common areas. Aside from that, everything is relatively modern, and design elements include gray marble and contemporary gray sofas, plus angled mirrored sections in the ceiling, and partially mirrored walls. The business center has the same decor, but the breakfast room has a warmer feel, with cozy orange tones. The sushi bar is decked out in traditional Japanese colors of red and black, and there are contemporary black leather bar stools and Japanese artwork on the walls. The property attracts a range of guests: Families are drawn by the large Family Rooms, but there are also a large number of business guests, as the property is near the head offices of some large corporations. 

Set on Rua de Goncalo Sampaio, and next door to another HF hotel, the property is in the commercial area of Porto’s Boavista district. It’s just a five-minute walk from the pretty gardens of Jardim da Boavista with its large war memorial in the center. The most important landmark in Boavista, however, is the Casa da Musica, which is also just a five-minute walk from the hotel and hosts a variety of live events in a truly innovative space. The popular Museu Romantico da Quinta da Macieirinha set within the Crystal Palace Gardens, is a 12-minute walk. The immediate area has a range of shops and restaurants -- from traditional Portugese cuisine to fast food chains -- within a few minutes' walk. 

Unfortunately the more historic parts of town require transportation to reach. Perched on a rock formation overlooking the city, Porto Cathedral is around a 10-minute drive of the hotel, as is the oldest part of the city, the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira Square. It will take about 20 minutes and a good bit of walking to reach Ribeira Plaza by metro, and the closest station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

The hotel’s 148 guest rooms are a generous size, and those on the higher floors have fantastic views over the city and across to the Douro River. They are available as Twin, Double, Triple, or Family Rooms, which have bunk beds and can sleep four. Rooms are decorated in stylish neutral tones for the most part -- ranging from gray to tan -- with soft lighting and large windows. Bedding is plain white, and furniture is simple and contemporary, done mostly in dark wood-veneer finishes with sleek lines. Some rooms, like the HF Privilege Rooms, have a more futuristic look to them, with white lacquer furniture furniture cut at sharp angles. Family Rooms also have a more playful design, with characters stenciled on the walls and toys for the kids.

All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Some have stocked minibars, while others just have a small fridge. Bathrooms are mostly modern, with marble vanities and neutral walls. They include shower/tub combos with a deep bath tub, bathrobes, a mix of individual and pump toiletries, and a hairdryer. There are also two floors of Club Rooms, which have a private terrace, a small lobby with free newspapers and coffee, and access to a business center. These rooms also have coffeemakers and free mineral water. Additionally, these rooms also have the best views of the river.

A breakfast buffet is available daily in the dining room, which has a pretty stained-glass ceiling. The breakfast has an excellent range of hot and cold options including fresh fruit, yogurts, cheese, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs, sausages, fresh rolls, and Portuguese style pastries. Breakfast is not included in the room rate but is very reasonably priced. An on-site sushi bar is open for lunch and dinner on selected days and has a bar and an outdoor terrace. Room service is available during limited hours. Unfortunately the sushi bar has the only bar, so when it's closed adults will have to look elsewhere to get their beverages. On-site self-parking is available for a daily fee, and bike and car rental, plus airport transfers can all be arranged by the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.