Hotel Santa Clara Porto

The room was clean and the bed was comfy, so it worked fine for a night or two. The only real downside was the cigarette smell in the hallways. Thankfully, it didn’t get into the bedroom.

The location is right in the center, which I loved, but I didn’t find much else to like. The room was very old and needs renovation, the furniture was worn, and the toilet light didn’t work. Reception staff were rarely there and struggled to speak English clearly. When you go out or come back, the doors are shut, so you have to ring a bell and wait for someone to let you in. It felt like being in a prison, not a hotel. What I got also didn’t match the description on booking.com.

We stayed for almost a week and had a very good experience. The staff were especially kind and helpful, and our room was cleaned every day. We didn’t run into any problems, and it was excellent value for the money.

The staff who welcomed us were friendly, and I don’t have any major complaints, but the place is just OK. At €55 a night, I think a two-star hotel is a bit expensive, though that may be what to expect in Porto. It’s very basic, the bathroom facilities are a bit naff, and the WiFi comes and goes. They call it pet friendly, but expect you to leave your pet out on the balcony. Nothing special.