Vera Cruz Porto Hotel

With its plain granite exterior, Vera Cruz Porto Hotel may not look like much, but its central location and comfort amenities make it an option worth considering. Decor won’t win any design awards -- there’s a lot of clashing red and green throughout the interiors, along with dated striped and floral patterns -- but the value of a stay here still makes this a solid bet for budget-conscious travelers. Keep in mind that the elevator only goes to the seventh floor, and the breakfast room on the eighth floor is accessed via a flight of stairs. The rooftop terrace, with its picturesque views over Porto's city hall and the Avenida dos Aliados Grand Plaza, is a rare feature for a budget establishment, and can make the hotel feel like more than just a place to sleep. Its quiet side street location allows for a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere despite its being in the heart of central Porto. Couples and small groups of friends make up the bulk of guests here.

Although Vera Cruz Porto Hotel is just around the corner from the city hall, it’s located on a quiet side street with relatively little noise. Expect just a two-minute walk to Aliados Metro station or seven minutes to Sao Bento Station, and there are plenty of tourist hotspots all around. Clerigos Tower is seven minutes away on foot, while Rua de Santa Catarina -- the main pedestrian artery in downtown Porto -- is a nine-minute walk. Ribeira Square and Bolsa Palace -- both UNESCO heritage sites -- are a 14-minute walk away. The historic port wine cellars are across Douro River and best reached by car or taxi (17-minute drive). Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is a 20-minute drive or a 40-minute metro journey from Trindade Station.

The 35 rooms at the Vera Cruz are clean and simple, and come in a variety of configurations, the largest of which can hold up to four guests. There are additional Basic and Superior options within some room categories, to help accommodate more budget-conscious travelers. Decor comes in dated red and green motifs that's paired with simple wood furniture. Some rooms have work desks, and all rooms have air-conditioning, double-glazed windows, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Suites have separate living rooms and private balconies. There's free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Bathrooms are fresh and feature modern fixtures like rainfall showerheads plus white, gray, or neutral color schemes. 

While features here are slim, guests rave about the rooftop terrace at Vera Cruz, which has scenic views over Porto’s historic city hall building and the connecting plaza. It’s frequently used as a breakfast spot or just for relaxing, making the hotel feel more like a home than just a place to sleep at night. There’s also a small TV lounge with sofas and a guest computer. The free continental breakfast is prepared from fresh local ingredients and includes bread, croissants, ham, cheese, fruit, and yogurt. While there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, the public parking is not free and can be difficult to find.