You can’t get a better location than Porto River, because, true to its name, it’s located on … Porto’s river (that would be the Douro). This is the place to stay if you want to be smack bang in Porto’s tourist-centric Ribeira district and is where you’ll find alfresco dining aplenty, street stalls, buskers, and basically everyone having a good time.
The hotel is an attractive blend of old and new, with exposed beams and stone walls retained from the original building contrasted against fashionable light fixtures and furniture.
The rooms are big, bright and airy and you can choose from a studio, one or two-bedroom apartment, or suite. Naturally, the river-facing rooms let you see all the riverside action, but light sleepers might prefer a quieter room at the back.
Regardless of which room you choose, all are fitted out with a kitchenette. Don’t feel you need to cook though, as there are many restaurants on the doorstep, including the hotel’s own Chez Lapin. Despite the French-sounding name, the menu is predominantly Portuguese and offers a range of meat and seafood dishes.
A standout feature of the hotel is its cool and casual bar, Ribeira 50, where you can pull up a chair on the elevated terrace and soak up the river views (sangria in hand, of course). This is also where the hotel’s buffet breakfast is served.