Pao de Acucar Hotel

Walking into this hotel may feel a bit like stepping into a time machine: everything from the faux stucco wallpaper to the vintage bumper cars and boxy elevator is lifted from a bygone era. Common areas are fun, wacky spaces chock full of retro typewriters, chunky television sets, vintage dolls, and random assorted vintage memorabilia. Some of the objects -- such as the old school hairdresser’s chair which comes complete with a separate head dryer -- make absolutely no sense. But in this wonderful world of nostalgic throwbacks and lighthearted eccentricity, nothing has to. The rest of the hotel is a bit more tame, although the retro theme is continued on each floor with authentic vintage bumper cars and various other knick knacks. The building itself is from the Art Deco era, its layout centered around a zany winding staircase originally intended to break conventions. With its uneven, wavering handrails and massive, undulating shape, it does just that. Despite the style, there isn't much to keep guests on-site throughout the day, and it's more of a home base for couples in town to explore the sights. 

Although Pao de Acucar Hotel is just around the corner from the city hall, it’s located on a quiet side street with relatively little noise. It’s just a one-minute walk to Aliados Metro station, six minutes to Sao Bento station, and within easy walking distance to many tourist hotspots. Local nightlife is accessible by foot in five minutes, at the Rua Galerias de Paris and Rua de Candido dos Reis where old shops have been transformed into local bars and restaurants. Clerigos Tower is six minutes away on foot, while Rua de Santa Catarina, the main shopping area in downtown Porto, is an eight-minute walk. Ribeira Square and Bolsa Palace -- both UNESCO-designated sights -- are a 15-minute walk away. The historic port wine cellars are across Douro River and best reached by car or taxi (a 15-minute drive). Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is a 20-minute drive or a 40-minute metro journey without transfers.

Rooms have a pleasant retro vibe, with vintage color schemes like orange and mustard. They're less busy decor-wise than the public spaces, and unfortunately don’t feature any of the same nostalgic memorabilia found throughout the rest of the hotel. Soft furnishings, including the curtains and bedding, have a similar vintage feel, with plaid or floral patterning. All of the rooms have wood floors and simple wood furniture, though some looks worn, and there are comforters instead of modern duvets on beds. Bathrooms are clean and modern, and have white or neutral tiling, bidets, free toiletries, and bathrobes. Some have a shower only, while others have a shower/tub combo. Rooms on the top floor open out to a shared rooftop balcony, which is also used by guests taking breakfast in the mornings. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, satellite channels, bathrobes, minibars with Porto wine, double-glazed windows, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.

Pao de Acucar Hotel is a veritable museum for vintage objects, some of them likely to be quite valuable. Otherwise, though, offerings are slim. Free breakfast is served in the sixth-floor breakfast room, which has a sunny roof terrace with patio furniture and views over Porto’s terra-cotta roofs. It’s a continental affair without hot options, and can get busy during peak hours (previous guests have reported shortages of food and coffee). There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, as well as a guest computer. There is no on-site parking.