The Artist Porto Hotel & Bistro

The Artist Porto Hotel & Bistro opened in 2014, after previously functioning as a School of the Arts. While the art school may have moved, the space is still in the business of learning, and is now serving double-duty as a boutique hotel and training location for the adjacent Hotel School of Porto. Students are given real-life hospitality training and experience, serving the guests at the on-site restaurant -- but don't fret, guests tend not to notice a lack in service. The hotel offers a quiet, peaceful stay that's best suited to couples, though families and friend groups also stay here.

From the street, visitors walk through a courtyard outfitted with red-metal bistro tables toward a set of glass doors. Compared to the rest of the hotel, the lobby is underwhelming, with polished light-brown travertine floors, a few statues and wood carvings, and a large front desk podium painted bright blue. Walls lined with various types of artwork -- wood-relief carvings, modern prints, and classical portraits -- hint at the decor to come. One step into the restaurant and bar areas and it's clear that these are the social focuses of the hotel. The B'Artist bar has a study feel to it, decorated with retro-chic, mid-century decor including yellow-fabric sofas, leather chairs, patterned drapes, and dark-wood accents. The hotel's restaurant has a cooler tone with light- and dark-blue tub chairs, blue wallpaper, and a muted brown carpet that creates a stylish yet casual vibe. 

The Artist Porto Hotel & Bistro is located just outside of the hustle and bustle of Porto's historic city center. While this adds about 10 minutes on foot to popular spots such as Lello Library and the Clerigos Tower on the eastern edge of the center, it's more convenient to tourist attractions such as the Majestic Cafe on Rua Catarina, the Bolhao Market, and the Porto Airport. The neighborhood feels fairly residential here, with not much in the immediate surroundings, though there are a pharmacy across the street, grocery store on the corner, and small park down the block. For self-drivers, there is a public parking lot a few blocks away. 

• Five-minute walk to Bolhao metro station
• Five-minute walk to the shopping street of Rua Catarina
• Seven-minute walk to the Bolhao Market
• 15-minute walk to the Harry Potter-famous Lello Library
• 15-minute walk to the Clerigos Tower
• 20-minute walk to the Riberia waterfront 
• 20-minute walk to the Dom Luis I Bridge
• 21-minute walk to the Monument Church Of St Francis
• 25-minute walk to the start of the port wine cellars in Villanova di Gaia 
• 40-minute metro ride to the airport (or 20 minutes by car)

Most of Porto's hotels, -- especially boutiques -- are housed in old buildings that get points for atmosphere and history, but often mean small rooms. However, that is not the case at The Artist Porto Hotel & Bistro. Perhaps it's due to the fact the hotel used to be a school, but even the Standard Twin Rooms are spacious enough to comfortably fit a set of twin mattresses, an entertainment center, writing desk, full-sized dual sink bathroom, and love seat. Suites are huge with large entryways and separate living rooms complete with a sofa, two sitting chairs, entertainment center, and dining room table. The windows in the front-facing rooms are large, letting in lots of light. 

Continuing the retro-chic vibe found throughout, rooms are decorated with brown carpet, mid-century wood and metal furniture, striped bedding, and colorful accents in seating, drapes, and framed prints. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos regardless of category. All rooms come with a work desk, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, plus hairdryers and quality toiletries. 

The standout feature here is definitely the hotel's restaurant, Artist Bistro. Viewing gastronomy as one of the arts, the restaurant -- and its menu -- are designed as an experience, from the stylish decor to the selection of the menu. Lunchtime offers up a daily special where guests chose a protein, while dinner is a much more extravagant affair doling out five- to nine-course tasting menus curated by the chefs and served by the students of the hospitality school. Unlike other restaurants, the dishes are a surprise (guests are able to air any dietary restrictions beforehand). Visitors can whet their whistle on arrival thanks to a free welcome drink, but there's also a bar on-site. The B'Artist Bar serves up cocktails and a small but tasty bar menu among mostly sofas and chairs.

There are no spa or gym, and unlike many hotels in the area, breakfast requires a fee. Other public spaces include the bistro seating out in the courtyard and the small business center desk in the front entrance. The hotel has event and meeting spaces: One large banquet-style room, a 60-person auditorium that is shared with the school, and a more casual Soares dos Reis Room (named after the art school) located in the Artist Bistro. Wi-Fi is free throughout.