Rua Infante Dom Henrique 1, Porto, Portugal | (888) 616-5829
Set in a medieval 14th-century building with contemporary interiors
A five-minute walk from most of Porto’s main attractions
Just up the street from Ribeira Plaza
Guest rooms are chic and feature air-conditioning and minibars
Bi-level Duplex Suites and spacious Junior Suites are available
Formal restaurant plus a tapas bar with rustic decor
Bar serving a range of drinks has views over the cobbled street
Simple fitness rooms with small selection of modern equipment
Buffet breakfast available daily
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property
Some rooms get street noise
Breakfast is not included in the room rate
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. Those
looking for a hotel with a pool should check out the luxurious Palacio do
Freixo as an alternative, though rates are higher and its farther from the center of town.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Stylish contemporary decor in a refurbished, historic building
The Carris Porto Ribeira hotel is partially set in a medieval
fourteenth century building which has been carefully refurbished. The property
is appealing to those who have an interest in history and architecture, as many
original features still remain. It is said that parts of the building’s
basement were used as prison cells in medieval times, and that the area now
used as a tapas bar was once a chapel. The lobby and public areas of the hotel
are now a stunning blend of history and modern design. Steel and glass
staircases and contemporary wood and cream furniture work well with the pale
stone walls, floors, and dramatic arches. A panoramic elevator has also been
installed where guests can see through the many arches of the property as they
ascend to their rooms, and the hotel sparingly employs contemporary art to complement, rather than compete with, the architecture. Due to the hotel’s location in the center of the
historic district, it mainly attracts couples on city breaks who want to see Porto's sights on foot.
Location
In the heart of historic Porto, near Riberia Plaza and Rio Douro
Situated in Porto’s historic Ribeira district, the hotel is on a pretty
cobblestone street and is just up the street from Ribeira Plaza. There are plenty of
things to see and do in the local area, from boat tours on the river, a
traditional fruit market, and many different bars and restaurants. The property
is ideally situated for tourists wanting to see the main sights of Porto on
foot. Just a five-minute walk away are many historic sights such as Porto Cathedral, the former palace Paco Episcopal do Porto, the medieval fort Torre
Medieval do Porto, and the gothic Monument Church of St. Francis. There are
also a number of excellent museums within a five-minute walk including Casa do
Infante, Museu de Arte Sacra, and the decorative arts at Casa-Museu Guerra
Junqueiro. Sao Bento Metro station is just a five-minute walk from the property
too, and Porto Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Rooms
Chic, contemporary rooms with air-conditioning plus sharp and spacious suites
The hotel’s 90 guest rooms are available are available in a variety of categories, including Junior Suites which have a spacious sitting
area and balcony and bi-floor Duplex Suites that look like chic small apartments (albeit without kitchens). Rooms are decorated in sharp muted shades of gray and taupe,
and have monochrome abstract artwork on the walls. Furniture is minimalist and contemporary -- it almost has a Scandinavian look, especially in units like the Junior Suite that we visited -- and there are dark wood floors throughout. Some rooms have exposed brick walls
from the original building, and many have wonderful views across the rooftops
of Porto. Rooms are all equipped with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels,
air-conditioning, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded rooms have electric kettles. Bathrooms are elegant -- done in the same restrained style as the rooms, with white and tan accents -- and have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, generous vanities, contemporary fixtures, and luxurious
toiletries, plus internal windows which give the feel of extra space and light to
the rooms. Some previous guests have found that street noise filters in to the lower
rooms at the front of the property.
Features
Formal restaurant, tapas bar, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi
The hotel's Forno Velho Restaurant serves traditional Portuguese
cuisine beneath the original stone arches of the building. Simple black-and-white furniture and mood lighting create a sophisticated atmosphere. There is
also a tapas bar on-site which has rustic decor that includes untreated wooden tables,
beer barrels, and stone walls. Dishes like octopus, clams, and smoked hams can
be sampled. Drinks are served at the hotel's bar where floor to ceiling windows
allow drinkers to watch the world going by on the cobbled street outside. A buffet-style
breakfast is served daily with a good choice of fruit, cereal, bacon, sausage,
eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, croissants, cakes, and bread, though it’s not included in
the room rate. There's even a small fitness center here -- it's not much, but there are a few modern machines, it gets natural light, and is nice to have given the city-center location. Room service is also available. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout
the property.
