Portugal

tower, and boasts a 17th-floor bar that affords panoramic views. The bedrooms are
among the most spacious in the city because the hotel was originally intended for offices
before a switchover. The accommodations are attractively decorated in creams and reds,
with tasteful, comfortable wood furnishings; the roomy bathrooms are luxurious and
clad in marble and stocked with complimentary toiletries. The cuisine in the groundfloor
restaurant is often refreshingly imaginative. Though most rooms are moderately
priced, some extra-large, amenities-filled rooms here fall into the “expensive” category.
Rua Guedes de Azevedo 179, 4049-009 Porto. & 22/340-16-16. Fax 22/340-16-66. www.hoteldom
henrique.pt. 112 units. 90€–125€ double; 135€–170€ suite. Rates include buffet breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Parking nearby 10€. Bus: 29 or 59. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; babysitting; room service. In room: A/C, TV,
hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (13€ per day).
Mercure Porto Centro This hotel dates back to Porto’s halcyon years in the
1950s but reopened in 1992 with an up-to-date look and good-value prices. It opens
onto one of the busiest, most colorful squares of Porto, and is right opposite the National
Theater and about a 10-minute walk from the river. It’s popular with international portwine
buyers, probably because of its convenient location.
The lobby sets the tone of combining the traditions of yesterday with the modern
comforts of today, with old paintings, antique furniture, pillars, and cushioned seating.
The guest rooms are also traditional but comfortable; while not grand, they’re tastefully
decorated, with coordinated fabrics, French windows, and tiled bathrooms. Note that, in
spite of soundproofing, traffic noise is audible from some front rooms.
Porto Praça de Batalha 116, 4049-028 Porto. & 22/204-33-00. Fax 22/204-34-99. www.mercure.com.
140 units. 82€–110€ double; 132€ suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking 10€. Bus: 35, 37, or 38. Amenities: Breakfast
room; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Quality Inn Porto In the heart of the city, this six-story hotel lies in the Barredo
section, which UNESCO has declared a historic heritage site. The hotel is severely modern
and is not exciting in any way, but it’s a practical, no-frills choice with affordable
prices. The streamlined, functional guest rooms offer comfort, well-kept bathrooms, and
deluxe toiletries.
Praça de Batalha 127–130, 4000-102 Porto. & 877/424-64-23 in the U.S. and Canada, or 22/339-23-00.
Fax 22/200-60-09. www.choicehotels.com. 113 units. 95€–125€ double. Rates include breakfast. Parking
10€. Bus: 82 or 83. Amenities: Breakfast room; bar; free use of computer with Internet. In room: A/C, TV,
hair dryer.
Inexpensive
Albergaria Miradouro Resembling an eagle’s nest, Albergaria Miradouro
is a slim 13-floor structure built atop a hill within a commercial and residential neighborhood
not far from the heart of town. The rooms boast great vistas; from the windows,
you can watch ships laden with port making their way to the open sea. The corner guest
rooms are preferable; two walls have wardrobes and chests (with a built-in pair of beds),
and the other walls are glass. Every unit has a vestibule, luggage storage, a valet stand,
desks, a sitting room, and a well-maintained bathroom. The small-scale public rooms are
tasteful. The lower bar is decorated with wall tiles from Japan and Portugal. The walls of
the upper bar open onto a view. The Restaurante Portucale (see review below), which
serves international cuisine, is the best in town.
Rua de Alegria 598, 4000-037 Porto. & 22/537-07-17. Fax 22/537-02-06. http://albergariamiradouroporto.h-rez.com.
30 units. 60€–80€ double. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free
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