Hotel Porto Trindade

The exterior of this 52-room hotel may have an unassuming gray facade and resemble an office building, but the interior has more character, with a contemporary, minimalistic style. The lobby is dark and distinguished, with moody spot lighting and a chic business-like feel. Cold elements such as metal and glass are set against dark gray walls, and balanced with the warmer elements of leather and wood. Other public areas of the hotel follow a similar motif: the cold and contemporary feel of glass and plastic is softened with wood and elegant sculptures made from natural elements -- although in some spaces such as the bar, the red-white-black pleather seating may seem a bit generic. Some rough-hewn wood sculptures can be found around the hotel, which add a funky, artsy bent to this sharp boutique property. Overall, the vibe seems suited for business guests, although this hotel caters to plenty of vacationing couples as well (rooms may be a bit compact for families). 

Hotel Porto Trindade is aptly named for its close proximity to the Trindade Metro station: It’s midway up a hilly, busy street, just across the road from the station. The metro provides a direct, easy connection to Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport (a 35-minute trip by metro, or 15-minute drive), and the hotel itself is only a seven-minute walk from Rua De Santa Catarina, the city’s main shopping area. Local nightlife can be reached on foot in 11 minutes, at the Rua Galerias de Paris and Rua Candido dos Reis where old shops have been transformed into local bars and restaurants. Clerigos Tower is a 13-minute walk away, while the UNESCO area around Ribeira Square is at least 20 minutes away on foot, and will require an uphill climb on the way back. It's a 15-minute trip by taxi. The historic port wine cellars are across the Douro River and best reached by taxi (a 12-minute drive, depending on traffic). 

Rooms of this hotel are fresh and modern, and divided into two motifs: one with a contemporary red and black theme, and the other with a more relaxed theme of neutral tones. The designer was further inspired by ancient Greek culture, and there are Expressionistic sculptures and sketches in all rooms -- it's either a funky addition, or a little odd depending on the guest. Expect to see contemporary items like curved velvet seating or high-backed chairs that complete the modern look. Extra beds or cots can be provided for families, and all rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, empty mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. There are tea- and coffee-making facilities, albeit with a limited selection. The bathrooms are sleek, and pair neutral tiles with ceramic sink tops and warm wood accents. Some bathrooms have bidets, and all include stall showers. modern fixtures, and basic toiletries. Elegant wood slats covering the bathroom windows provide a decent amount of privacy from other guests in the room, but may still leave some unnerved. It's also worth noting that noise may be an issue in street-facing rooms.

This is a fairly standard mid-range hotel with expectedly limited features for an urban property: there is no gym or restaurant, but the bar serves snacks (including pizzas) and there’s a chic rooftop terrace with a wooden deck, geometric furniture, and good views over Porto. Guests are welcomed with free port wine upon arrival. The hotel bills itself primarily as a business hotel, but has limited business facilities, with only one guest computer available at the hotel, and one event space that is normally used as an overflow room for the breakfast buffet. Speaking of which, the buffet-style breakfast is decent according to guests and has a good variety of fresh fruit and pastries as well as hot cooked food including bacon, eggs and beans. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, but the parking is not free.