Quality Inn Portus Cale

In terms of simple, budget-friendly hotels, travelers could do far worse than this modern property. The Quality Inn Portus Cale is housed in a seven-story building on the busy Avenida da Boavista. Guests enter a bright lobby with white walls, black floors, and large windows that let in lots of natural light and frame views of the street outside. Burgundy, red, orange, and peach-colored furniture provide pops of color, and the lobby and breakfast room showcase large photographic murals of musicians. It's not exactly the kind of hotel that inspires hanging out in style, though there is a cocktail lounge for anyone needing a nightcap, and it's all reasonably pleasant. The hotel draws mainly tourists, especially couples, but its location near corporate offices and banks brings in business travelers too, along with families and soccer fans attending events at the nearby stadium.

Quality Inn Portus Cale is on the Avenida da Boavista in the Boavista district, a block from the Igreja do Santissimo Sacramento church. Avenida da Boavista is a wide street with heavy car traffic, numerous cafes, restaurants, shops, businesses, banks, and other hotels. The Rotunda da Boavista roundabout and Rem Koolhaas-designed Casa da Musica concert hall are about a five-minute walk away. Estadio do Bessa XXI football stadium, home of the Boavista soccer club, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. While the hotel is slightly off the beaten path from major Porto attractions, a bus stop is across the street and the Casa de Musica Metro station is a 10-minute walk away. All of the attractions in Old Porto (Clerigos Tower, Infante D. Henrique Square, Bolsa Palace, Monument Church of St. Francis, and Ribeira Square) are within a 10-minute drive of the hotel or a 30 to 40-minute trip by metro. Alfandega do Porto Congress Center is an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is a little more than a 10-minute drive away or a 25-minute trip by metro. 

The 73 rooms at the Quality Inn Portus Cale are modern and uncluttered, with all-white bedding, decorative wood headboards, and mostly bare walls. The color palette is warm, with shades of brown and tan predominating. Suites add just a touch more color in soft furnishings, and sharp gray accent walls give the rooms a bit of polish. For the most part rooms are spacious, but they start at 194 square feet (18 square meters), so some can be a bit compact. All include air-conditioning, trouser presses, minibars (with room to refrigerate items), coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with a range of English-language and satellite channels. Some rooms offer nice views of the surrounding area or include unfurnished balconies. It's worth noting that some double beds are two single beds pushed together. While rooms are generally quiet, some lower-floor rooms that face the Avenida da Boavista may pick up street noise. Bathrooms are spacious, with ample counter space. All come with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and bidets. Some include bathrobes.

The Quality Inn Portus Cale offers most of the standard amenities for the chain, though some will cost extra and others are surprising. A daily breakfast buffet includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, cheese, breads, cereal, fruit, coffee, juice, and tea. Unfortunately, unlike many other Quality Inns, it's not free. Afternoon tea is a nice touch, and there's a cocktail bar but no proper restaurant. The hotel also has a business center and meeting room, and a 24-hour front desk offering currency exchange and tourist assistance. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and on-site parking is available for a fee.