Hotel Infante Sagres

Housed in a six-floor building erected in the 1950s, Hotel Infante Sagres is designed to resemble a 19th-century Portuguese manor house. The hotel features ornate Baroque furniture and modern art, all coming together to create a quirky contemporary-classic style. Details like antiques, chandeliers, and a grand piano add an additional touch of class. Guests receive a welcome glass of port upon check-in -- a nice local touch -- and are free to mix and mingle in the sumptuously decorated lobby, done in rich colors of brown and gold. The outdoor sun terrace also makes for a fine place to gather in nice weather, which has tables, chairs, and sofas arranged between potted plants and trees. Design throughout is thoughtful, if sometimes a bit over the top when it comes to themes (the spa is done after the Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia, and the restaurant has a bookish theme). The Infante Sagres, with its elegant and intimate ambience and proximity to old town Porto and the cathedral, attracts mainly tourist couples and families.

Hotel Infante Sagres is in Porto's charming Baixa neighborhood, close to many restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. The nearby Avenida dos Aliados showcases ornate neoclassical architecture (a three-minute walk), and the boutiques along Rua do Almada are just around the corner. Across the street is a tram and tour bus stop, and the Aliados Metro station just three minutes away on foot. The hotel is within walking distance of major sights, but the return walk from the attractions near the river is uphill. Clerigos Tower is a four-minute walk, while Infante D. Henrique Square, Bolsa Palace and Monument Church of St. Francis are a 10-minute walk. Perched on a rock formation overlooking the city, Porto Cathedral is also within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. The oldest part of the city, the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira Square, is a 15-minute walk. A 30-minute metro ride from the hotel to the Rem Koolhaas-designed Casa de Musica. Exppect a 20-minute drive to Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport.

The 70 rooms at Hotel Infante Sagres employ mix of classical and contemporary design elements, like pairing genuine antiques with modern art. Some have paintings by Portuguese artists, and the Royal Suite has original 19th-century furniture. The look varies, though guests should expect to see either brown-and-white color palettes with touches of gold, or black-and-white motifs with touches of red. The Royal Suite -- a charmingly vintage room -- is done in a rich blue. Rooms range from 215 to 344 square feet (20 to 32 square meters), and suites from 430 to 645 square feet (40 to 60 square meters). While rooms are clean and well maintained, as with all uber-trendy decor, the look can appear less fresh more quickly than other more timeless styles. 

All rooms include desks, safes, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. There are occasional problems with Wi-Fi reception, and the TVs are small and viewing can be difficult, especially in rooms where they're set on the desks at odd angles to the beds. Rooms get are generally quiet, though some pick up occasional late-night noise when the nearby bars and clubs let out. Some rooms have views of the hotel terrace. 

Bathrooms are clad in marble, giving them an upscale finish, though some could use a refresh to spruce up the walls, floors, and grout work. Some are small, with limited counter space around the sink, while others have generous vanities. All include shower/tub combos and bidets, and some include bathrobes and slippers. All rooms are non-smoking. 

Hotel Infante Sagres serves a breakfast buffet that's included in room rates. Offerings range from cold cuts, smoked salmon, and cheeses to cereal, bread, pastries, fruit, juice, and coffee. Hot items like eggs and bacon can be made to order. Housed in a former bookshop, the hotel's restaurant has a literary theme and serves innovative Portuguese cuisine. The hotel also has a stylish cocktail bar and 24-hour room service as well. 

Inspired by the temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the small spa offers a good variety of massages, facials, and reflexology, but there is no sauna, steam room, or fitness center. The gift shop sells high-end teas, coffees, and soaps. The Infante Sagres also offers concierge service, and has business center and a 24-hour front desk. Nearby parking is available for a fee, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.