HF Ipanema Park

First things first: While tourists certainly make their way here, the location -- well outside of Porto's charming historic core -- make this primarily feel like a business hotel. On the whole, there are modestly stylish touches, though things are starting to feel a bit faded rather than chic. The lobby is set with furnishings like
brown, leather couches and rugs with animal-inspired stripes, while black glass columns have an outdated 90s vibe and faux-antique chairs add an early-2000s look. The Twin Trees
Restaurant on-site has beautiful garden views, but kitschy faux tree branch
furniture. Likewise, the Espaço Jardim Restaurant has trendy tables
and chairs in white, black, and beige paired with cute plant centerpieces, but
the ceiling has dated pinpoint lighting. By contrast, the open air rooftop pool
and nighttime Zenith lounge feels especially chic and modern with panoramic windows, edgy
black-and-white photograph murals that are lit up with colored lights at night,
and funky white lounge chairs. Given the hotels limited access to nearby attractions, most guests are out and about during the day, meaning things are fairly quiet here. In addition to businesspeople, couples and groups of friends find their way to the hotel as well.

HF
Ipanema Park is located in a residential area outside the historic center of Porto, where most of the attractions for tourists are located. There are a few local shops,
a mini-market, pharmacy, and a couple restaurants within a five- to 10-minute walk, but otherwise the immediate area doesn't have much of interest. For those wanting to explore on foot, the Jardim de Calem -- home to the city's contemporary art museum -- is a 15-minute walk. There’s
a bus stop right outside the hotel, and buses travel to either the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira District or the
beach -- both destinations are around a 10- to 15-minute ride. There’s also a taxi queue
outside the hotel. Attractions like Clerigos Tower, Infante D.
Henrique Square, Bolsa Palace, and Monument Church of St. Francis -- all in the city's historic core -- can all be
reached within a 12-minute drive. The Cidade do Porto shopping center is around
a six-minute drive from the hotel, and it will take 15 minutes to drive to the airport. 

HF Ipanema offers a variety of room types, and like the rest of
the hotel, some rooms verge of looking outdated. The modern-minimalist style -- with each room done in a monochrome palette -- doesn't help things, and frequently looks simple rather than stylish. Comfort Rooms start at 215 square feet (20 square meters) and
feature dark blue carpeting and tube lamps that add a modern edge. Larger Executive Rooms are available with a more subdued beige and light-gray
color scheme. These have sepia-tone wall art that gives them a bit more personality, but the boxy, plain furniture all looks a bit institutional. HF Sky Rooms on the 15th floor are the most stylish that we saw during our visit. They have sleek blue
accent walls and quirky bedside globe lights hanging from the ceiling, plus playful white furniture. These rooms also offer same-floor access to the hotel's outdoor swimming pool. Family Rooms start at 592 square feet (55 square meters) and have bunk beds next to lively wall murals. Microwaves,
DVD players, and PlayStations are available in Family Rooms on request.All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, safes, and minibars, but guests complain not all rooms have electric kettles for coffee or tea. Beige bathrooms are especially tired, with wall-mounted tube hair dryers, marble and faux marble details, a decent amount of counter space, and shower/tub combos. 

Given its location outside of Porto's city center, this hotel has the space to pack in amenities, and it has many that other hotels in Porto lack. The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet for a fee and
Portuguese lunch buffets on weekdays with rotating dishes like codfish and bean
stews. Early meals are also available for travelers with morning flights. There's a bar with a small outdoor terrace as well. The rooftop pool is a particular highlight. It's done up with eye-catching black-and-white fashion photos plus white pod seating. At night, the astro-turfed space turns into a lounge with amazing views of the Duoro River.Extra amenities include a
play room for children and a book exchange corner where guests are encouraged
to leave books behind and take ones other guests have left before them. There’s also a
squash court and a basic fitness center with a weight machine, exercise
machines, and hand weights. The lobby has an internet corner, and Wi-Fi
is free throughout. Bicycle rentals are available for a fee, and car rentals
can also be arranged for a fee. An airport shuttle and indoor parking are both available, though they aren't free either. The hotel offers meeting spaces for private events, and there’s a
small high-end souvenir shop.