Porto Palacio Congress Hotel & Spa

The thing about choosing to stay out in Porto's bustling Boavista district is that in sacrificing proximity to historic sights, travelers pick up on space and features. That's particularly true in the case of Porto Palacio Congress. Even amid its neighborhood competitors, like the BessaHotel Boavista and HF Ipanema Park, this hotel has a lot to offer. Set in a contemporary tower building, the first impression is made by a spacious and modern lobby. There are plenty of comfortable velvet armchairs, and rectangular crystal ceiling lights dotted around -- overall, design is sensible and straightforward, with just the right touch of shimmer to kick it up a notch. The lobby has a small library where guests can help themselves to books, and a smart business center with several computer stations. The hotel is mainly aimed towards business guests and has extensive and modern facilities for corporate clients. Some tourists stay here too, although it’s not that close to the main attractions -- but with two pools, a spa, and proper gym, it's hard to beat in terms of bang for buck. There are good facilities for those traveling with children as well, such as babysitting services and high chairs and children’s menus in the restaurants.

Set on the bustling Avenue da Boavista, the property is in the commercial area of the city’s Boavista district. It’s a 10-minute walk to the pretty gardens of the Jardim da Boavista, with a large war memorial in the center. It's also an eight-minute walk from the Casa da Musica concert hall, a landmark that was designed by Rem Koolhaas. The immediate area has a range of shops and restaurants -- from traditional Portuguese cuisine through to fast food chains within a few minutes' walk. The famous and historic Porto Cathedral is around a 15-minute drive from the hotel, as is the oldest part of the city, the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira Square. The nearest metro stations are Francos and Casa da Musica, which are both around a 12-minute walk from the hotel. Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is just a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

The 251 guest rooms at the Porto Palacio Congress Hotel & Spa are available as Executive or Deluxe Twin and Double Rooms, and large Suites are available too. Decor in all rooms is simple and modern. Expect to see sleek, contemporary furniture and neutral color schemes of whites, browns, and taupes. Dark hardwood furniture is used throughout, and there are brown velvet tub chairs by the windows. Light beige carpets give everything a homey touch, but there's little in the way of wall art, aside from sepia-tone architectural prints in some rooms. Sharp pendant lighting does add a bit of depth to the space, but otherwise things are pretty spartan. All rooms are spacious, with the smallest starting at 29 square meters (312 square feet). The Deluxe Rooms on the top two floors of the hotel have fantastic city views, and Suites offer a separate living area. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, work desks, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. The stylish marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos and the upmarket addition of heated floors. Bathrobes and slippers are provided.

This large hotel has a number of features on-site, surprising even in an area of Porto where hotels traditionally have more to offer than their historic district competition. For starters, there are a range of dining options available at the hotel. There's a banquet room available for private rentals and a VIP Lounge -- open to all guests -- where a buffet breakfast is served daily, as well as snacks and drinks throughout the day. One of the highlights of the property is the rooftop lounge with stunning panoramic views over the city and the Douro River.

The hotel’s spa has treatment rooms, a steam room, hot tubs, and a hair salon. There’s also a proper gym with an array of modern cardio and weight equipment, and two indoor swimming pools. Business guests are well catered for at the property, with 12 meeting rooms and a large conference center that seats up to 600 people and has up-to-date audio visual technology. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel as well.