Bom Dia, Porto!
I have spend more than one month in Porto to choose the five best accommodations for you. I was able to personally visit all five accommodations and was allowed to gain exclusive insights behind the scenes. Why have I specialized in guesthouses and small boutique hotels? The definition of luxury is in the eye of the beholder. Luxury for me is a nice conversation with the host, recommendations of local restaurants and activities as well als an authentic, welcoming home away from home.
My three requirements:
- Maximum 10 rooms. Exceptions may apply
- Unique design, furnished with attention to detail & personalized service
- Usage of local products in the gastronomy and design area
Price range information:
€: Between 50 € and 100 € per night/per room
€€: Between 100 € and 150 € per night/per room
€€€: Between 150 € and 200 € per night/per room
In my price presentation I assume the cheapest room category. The prices may vary depending on the season, day of the week asl well as vacation season and serve only for personal classification in the price segment. In addition, the prices can vary greatly due to COVID-19.
Mo House
- Mix of guesthouse, apartment- and boutique hotel
- 9 rooms
- Situated in Porto's Old City, close to the river promenade
- Opening: 2017
- Ideal for families and couples
- Breakfast is included
- Vegan and vegetarian options are available
- Price range: €-€€
- Free Wifi
- mohouse.porto
The concept
Oh, how beautiful the Mo House is! Nuno, the host, gave me a warm welcome and also a great tour through the house. The building is from the 18th century and was renovated from the ground up. The house is designed in boho style and features custom made furniture pieces which are made only for Mo House! White is the dominant color of the house, which makes it look very bright and inviting. Basically Mo House is a guesthouse or in Portuguese an „Alojamento Local“, but since all rooms are equipped with a small kitchenette, Mo House can be seen as a perfect mix of guesthouse, apartment and boutique hotel.
- Note: "Mô" comes from "Amor", which means love in English. In Portuguese, the word "Mô" is used for someone you fervently love, as a nickname, so to speak. Mo House can thus be translated as "House of Love" and I think that is very fitting. Many guests who have visited have felt a sense of love without knowing what "Mô" means. Romantic, isn't it?
The rooms
There are nine rooms in total, ranging in size from 20 m² to 40 m². Each room is equipped with a small kitchenette, part of the rooms are with balcony or bathtub. Mo House is suitable not only for couples, but also for families, as most of the rooms are designed for up to four or six people. By the way, the chair in the picture below is one of the pieces made especially for Mo House. I also saw a carpeted chair here for the first time. Applause at this point for the creativity!
In each room there are photos on the wall showing the room before the renovation. Absolutely admirable to see how much effort and work was put into the renovation.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and offers a diverse selection of homemade specialties. During the day, guests can help themselves to tea, fruits and cakes. In addition, the house has a small garden and a cozy winter garden. The entire house is cleverly designed and a piece of art itself.
My conclusion
For a city trip to Porto, I can only warmly recommend the Mo House to everyone. The location is ideal, the interior is individual and unique. I love the idea of not simply abandoning the old, but to keep the basic idea and merge it with the present. I mean, anyone can do new construction these days, but something like this? A true masterpiece.
Menina Colina Guesthouse
- Guesthouse
- 9 rooms
- Centrally located between the city center, the old town and the gallery district
- Opening: September 2019
- Mainly visited by couples, but also suitable for families and single travelers
- Price range: €-€€
- Free Wifi
- menina.colina
The concept
The Menina Colina Guesthouse is a small palace in the middle of Porto. The building stood empty for 35 years until it was renovated from the ground up and transformed into a magical place. The fabric of the building was kept up as best as possible to maintain the original charm of the house. The term old-fashioned takes on a whole new meaning here: the word can no longer be considered as one, but is divided into old and fashionable. This is exactly what the Menina Colina combines. The old and the fashionable, in an enchantingly playful way.
The garden is a green oasis and offers plenty of space to relax. A lunch service is offered here Monday to Friday, which non-hotel guests can also take advantage of. Surrounded by ruins, the Menina Colina stands out with its detailed facade.
The rooms
Five different room categories are offered:
- Garden View Family (double room, between 32 and 34m²)
- Garden View Superior (double room, between 28 and 32m²)
- Apartment (apartment with city view, 50m²)
- Sofa Room (double room, between 27 and 31m²)
- Cozy (double room, between 17 and 22m²)
Each room is furnished and decorated differently, which makes the whole house so insanely unique. The furniture is extravagant and was sourced exclusively from Portuguese manufacturers. Particularly impressive are the high ceilings, which make the room look even more imposing. A perfect transition from the 19th to the 21st century has been created.
The interior style is, mind you, a bit peculiar, but I like the story behind it just so much! Exactly in this room hung a star wallpaper, which was already so old that you could no longer use it in the original. To keep the idea, the stars were painted individually with a stencil on the wall. Simply wonderful or?
My conclusion
For a long time I had an eye exclusively for the modern. Since I got to know and love the Menina Colina, my view has changed. The merging of past and present is more than impressive and it feels like traveling through various eras. Absolutely every detail has really been taken care of here and an insane amount has been invested to keep it original. Menina Colina tells a story. A story that spans over 150 years.
Canto De Luz
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms
- Located in Porto's old town
- Reopening in August 2019 after a complete renovation
- Ideal for couples, families and solo travelers
- Breakfast is included
- Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free breakfast option
- Price range: €-€€
- Free Wifi
- cantodeluzporto
The concept
The small but fine boutique hotel Canto De Luz is a real gem in the middle of Porto. The facade looks inconspicuous from the outside, but behind it hides a wonderful work of art.
The rooms
Five different room types are offered:
- Garden View Balcony Suite
- City View Suites
- Urban Retreat Suit
- City Retreat
- Villa Almada with Private Pool
A modern, refreshing design runs through the entire house. The rooms are furnished with great attention to detail and feature Netflix, Alexa voice control as well as integrated adapters for international connections. In addition, all technology is navigated via a touchscreen, which allows the temperature and light to be controlled individually.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and varies every day. Served are homemade and organic products sourced from Porto’s best markets. Whether vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, guests can make requests of any kind, which will be realized and implemented.
My conclusion
The Canto De Luz is one of my absolute favorites. The interior is modern, extravagant and functional. Attention has been paid to every little detail, creating a unique place that invites you to feel home. The breakfast is also an absolute highlight. Fresh bread and patisseries directly from a local bakery to the breakfast table. Individuality and charm are written large here.
Malmerendas - Boutique Lodging
- Boutique Hotel
- 6 rooms
- Porto city center
- Reopened in 2015 after a complete renovation
- Ideal for couples or single travelers
- Breakfast is included
- Vegetarian and vegan breakfast options
- Price range: €-€€
- Free Wifi
- malmerendas
The concept
MALMERENDAS – Boutique Lodging is a dreamy retreat in the middle of the bustling city of Porto. The building itself dates back to the 18th century and the interior design also embodies a unique blend of past and present, combining elements from the 60s with modern touches. As soon as you enter, you get a stealthy feeling, and that’s exactly what the hotel aims to do: put guests‘ well-being first.
The rooms
Six different types of rooms are offered:
- Garden Studio
- Junior Suite
- Deluxe Suite
- Super King Studio
- Terrace Loft
- Attic Loft
Each room is individually decorated, combining jewels from the 60s with modern elements. Since all rooms are equipped with a kitchenette and dining table, the accommodation offers ideal conditions for a longer stay. Four of the six rooms are additionally equipped with a bathtub.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and promises a colorful mix of Portuguese delicacies. The breakfast is kept very traditional to bring the guests closer to the Portuguese culture in the best possible way. From April to October, breakfast can be taken in the idyllic garden. Although the property is very manageable, it also has a massage studio for Ayurvedic treatments. The Malmerendas simply offers the all-round carefree package.
My conclusion
The Malmerendas gives a feeling of well-being and is, in my opinion, an ideal place for solo travelers, as you can enjoy a lot of peace and privacy. The house invites you to relax and, due to the unique combination of new and old, also serves as a source of inspiration. There is a touch of romance throughout the building, making it the perfect place for a romantic getaway for couples, both in summer and winter.
S.Bento Residences
- Apartment hotel
- 16 fully equipped design apartments on a self-catering basis
- Centrally located, right next to Porto São Bento train station & just a few minutes walk from the most popular attractions
- Opening: März 2020
- Ideal for families, couples and solo travelers
- Price range: €€
- Free Wifi
- s.bentoresidences
The concept
The idea of S.Bento Residences is based on the concept of the „home away from home“ feeling. The guest enjoys intimacy and at the same time excellent customized service. The building is an architectural marvel and even the Deutsche Bauzeitung reported on the S.Bento Residences. Those who are interested in architecture can learn more about it in this article.
The rooms
Three types of rooms are offered:
- Studio
- Studio Superior
- One Bedroom Apartment
Each apartment has a kitchenette and a balcony with a magnificent view over the city. Pieces from local artists and designers were used for the interior design. I particularly liked the furnishings, as everything was kept very high quality and stylish. Accents in matching colors complete the look. The beds are apparently so comfortable that many guests have already asked for the bed linen to buy it for personal use.
There are no common areas, such as a lobby or an outdoor area, but there is a reception that is staffed 24 hours. You don’t have the feeling of being in a hotel here. Why is it positive? After a long day, you open the door to your own home away from home.
My conclusion
The S. Bento Residences are an ideal starting point to explore Porto extensively. Valuable tips regarding restaurants and to-do’s are gladly passed on to the guests, so wonderful days in Porto are guaranteed. The apartment concept is very practical, as you have your own kitchen and don’t nee to eat out every day. The apartments offer a lot of space and you feel like home. For families or someone planning a longer stay in Porto, the S. Bento Residences are the perfect address.
*Post contains unpaid advertising.
