Most Romantic Hotels in Porto, Portugal

Palacio do Freixo has a beguiling setting overlooking the Douro River, and the hotel is impressive inside and out. The hotel's public spaces are in a restored and refurbished Portuguese Baroque palace built in 1742 -- it was combined with a pink annex building that once a 19th-century cereal factory to create the current incarnation of the hotel. Although not central to Porto's best sights, it's one of the few Porto hotels that has not one, but two swimming pools -- a seasonal outdoor infinity pool and indoor pool. It also has a full-service spa, steam room, sauna, a 24-hour fitness center, Portuguese restaurant, and a couple of bars. The 87 rooms come with minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. 

Housed in an 18th-century palace, the InterContinental is one of the most elegant historical hotels near Porto's iconic old town. The 105 elegant rooms range from 258 to 646 square feet, so even the smallest rooms are larger than most found throughout Porto. Rooms feature minibars, kettles, free Wi-Fi, and large flat-screen TVs with a good range of international and satellite channels, as well as high-end amenities like turndown service, bathrobes, and slippers. The classic Portuguese restaurant features a warm-weather terrace, while the library-like cocktail lounge --  awash in Old World elegance, with dark woods and a grand piano -- serves afternoon tea and port wines. 

A short walk from the Porto Cathedral and the historic city center, the 70-room Hotel Infante Sagres is a four-pearl boutique property in the Baixa area of central Porto. The hotel blends trendy design and classical accents, and its features include an outdoor sun terrace, a stylish cocktail bar, a literary-themed Portuguese restaurant, 24-hour room service, and a Cambodian-inspired spa. The 70 rooms continue the contemporary-classic style, and come with minibars, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. 

There are 90 rooms at this four-pearl property set in a series of atmospheric, historic buildings in Porto’s UNESCO-preserved center. The location is ideal for tourists wanting to explore the city on foot as Ribeira Plaza is just down the street and most other attractions are within a short walk. The rooms at this property have chic and stylish decor, and some have exposed brick walls from the original building. Air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a minibar are provided. The hotel has two excellent restaurants -- a rustic tapas bar, and a more formal, elegant eatery serving traditional Portuguese dishes.

Grande Hotel Do Porto has a storied history of hosting balls, banquets, and a number of notable guests. The 19th-century hotel (which opened in 1880) has opulent public interiors, with carved ceilings, lavish chandeliers, and velvety red chairs. There are a number of features here that put this hotel a step above many other city-center historic hotels in Porto: a beautiful restaurant serving a free breakfast buffet in the morning and Portuguese and international cuisine in the evening, a cozy bar on-site and a lounge with plenty of seating, a small fitness center and wellness room, and a rooftop terrace with charming vintage streetlights and views of neighboring rooftops. Suites are vintage-chic and spacious, but many of the other 94 rooms are simple, and budget rooms are especially small. Standard features include LCD TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. 

Located in an iconic Art Deco building on the Douro River, the three-and-a-half-pearl Vincci Porto has plenty of stylish appeal. While the riverside setting is scenic, there are only a few casual cafes in the area, and it's a five-minute cab ride to historic Ribeira Square. The 95 rooms are modern and trendy, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and pod coffeemakers plus sleek bathrooms and rainfall showerheads. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet for a fee, and the lobby bar offers food and drinks in a bright, industrial-chic space. There’s no pool or fitness center, and a fee is charged for parking.

Castelo de Santa Catarina is a historic mid-range hotel that's a five-minute walk from the Marques Metro station, north of Porto's historic core. This boutique property has 25 rooms divided into charming castle units with lovely tiled bathrooms, or sleek and modern rooms in the hotel's annex. A free breakfast buffet with a mix of hot and cold dishes is served, but no other meals are offered. The lovely grounds include a picturesque garden and a 19th-century chapel, though there aren’t a lot of additional amenities on-site and the historic core of the city isn't within walking distance. Wi-Fi can also be spotty in some rooms.