Pestana Vintage Porto

The hotel is within a set of historic stone buildings dating back to the 16th century just off the city's famed Ribeira Square. The location alone is enough to draw most guests here. The separate buildings are now connected together by glass passages and have bland almost-modern interiors that verge on dated. Glass doors set into the stone lead into the lobby area where there is a small reception desk on the left hand side. A short flight of steps in the center leads up to the elevators, and to the right, there are a number of comfortable armchairs and sofas, and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. In the corridor, there are glass cabinets displaying jewelry, pens, and other gifts that guests are welcome to buy. The decor is a mix of the old, original stone and newer glass and wooden furnishings, though details like faded, living room-ready seating or pale landscape art on the walls aren't the chicest we've ever seen. Guests are mainly couples enjoying a short city break, who are drawn by the hotel’s location near the river and the historic sights. A glass of port is offered at check in as a welcome drink, a fitting welcome to the city. 

The hotel is set right on the central riverfront Ribeira Square, with views over the famous Douro River and the Port wine houses on the opposite bank. It’s an ideal location for those who want to be in the heart of the historical part of Porto (in fact, the entire area is a UNESCO-designated zone). The most popular attractions and activities are right on the doorstep, such as wine tastings, visits to wine caves, and cruises on the Douro River -- which depart directly outside the hotel. Within a minute’s walk there are a range of restaurants, shops, and galleries as well. Other sights within a 10-minute walk include the Clerigos Church and its baroque bell tower, Porto Cathedral, Avenida dos Aliados, and the Sao Bento Train Station. Porto International Airport is around a 25-minute drive from the property. 

Of the 109 guest rooms at the Pestana Porto Hotel, the majority are Deluxe Rooms with spectacular views over the Douro River and the Port wine houses on the opposite riverbank. There are also Superior Rooms which have city views, and three spacious River View Suites. The decor in the rooms has a warm color scheme with terra cotta and beige tones. There are framed floral paintings on the walls and simple wooden furniture with an old-school oak veneer finish. They are fairly basic and have a "no frills" feel. Many rooms have lots of large windows though so they are filled with natural light. All rooms have double-glazed windows, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, air-conditioning, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The suites also have the addition of tea- and coffee-making facilities and a trouser press. While the bathrooms are clad in marble, it's dark tan and looks dated. Bathrooms include shower/tub combos, a generous amount of counter space, and old-school tube hairdryers. Basic toiletries are also provided.

Given it's prime location right on Ribeira Square, this hotel could get away with offering nothing to its guests, and while features here are slim, there are some nice-to-have amenities on-site. The hotel has a restaurant, Agua d’Ouro, which serves breakfast daily. It overlooks the river and has lovely views of the city’s famous port wine lodges. It also has a small outdoor terrace so guests can enjoy breakfast outside during the summer months. Breakfast can also be delivered to the rooms on request. Bar Heritage is open all day and evening and offers a large selection of ports as well as cocktails and other drinks. The bar serves snacks and sandwiches during the day. Pastries and sandwiches are available to order from room service during the day and evening as well. For business guests, there are four meeting rooms at the property that can accommodate up to 60 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.