The Crowne Plaza is located in Porto’s commercial district of Boavista and is geared towards business travellers. The 232-room hotel has a few stories to tell though, with big names like Bob Dylan, Liza Minnelli, Prince Charles and Princess Diana walking through its doors since the building’s opening in 1984. (The hotel has changed names over the years and became the Crowne Plaza in 2014).
Guest comfort is a priority at the Crowne, with double-glazed windows blocking out traffic noise from the busy Avenida da Boavista, and nice extras like lavender pillow spray are offered to facilitate a revitalising snooze.
If you need to prep for business the next day, you can pay a fee to access the Club Lounge, where all-day snacks and meeting spaces are provided.
When it’s time to unwind, reception staff can provide access to the exclusive 14th floor, where an unassuming hotel room moonlights as a wellness centre. Choose from a range of services including Thai massage, Ayurvedic treatments and manicure/pedicures and let the therapists work their magic. Couple massages are available if you want to enjoy your relaxation as a duo.
The Crowne’s onsite restaurant, Poivron Rouge, is one of Porto’s best options for high-end dining, with sumptuous tasting menus and à la carte meals prepared by young gun chef Jorge Sousa. You can also enjoy Sunday brunch at the hotel with a throng of locals, where €22 buys the opportunity to stuff yourself silly on over 40 menu items.