Hôtel Idéal

The staff were extremely rude, almost aggressive, and they don’t speak English. I’d choose another hotel.

There’s no reception or parking here, and street parking costs extra. The room was tiny, dirty, and so poorly soundproofed that it felt like a slum landlord’s place. It was expensive for what we got. The bed was deeply uncomfortable, with springs you could feel, and the bedding seemed as old as the hotel. The bedspread was stained, and the torn, dirty curtains let in the sunrise. The bathroom was dated and had no shelf, towel rail, or even a toilet paper holder. There were pictures of animals squashed onto the walls, and we had to fetch the bedside table from outside our door because it hadn’t been put back in the room. Avoid.

The location is the big plus: right in the city center, beside restaurants and a short way from Porto’s little port. The bed was comfortable, though the rooms are basic and the bathroom small. Fine for a night or two, I’d recommend it for that.

You get balconies looking out over Porto’s waterfront, and the location is great. We didn’t try the pool, but it looked clean and inviting. The room and bathroom were usable, though cramped and badly in need of an update. The bedding also needs replacing and doesn’t feel up to hotel standard. There’s no receptionist on site, so you have to go to the other hotel to ask for the keys and pick them up yourself.