Utopian - Design Suites Porto

Loved the privacy and anonymity here, and the whole concept worked really well for me. The price felt like great value, and the mattress was so comfortable I wanted to buy one. I’d love to see these guys open more hotels across Europe.

The free minibar snacks were a lovely surprise after a long journey, and leaving my luggage before check-in and after check-out was no trouble at all. The one small thing I missed was a kettle in the room, since the coffee machine is only in the hallway. The bed was super comfortable, and the beautiful room and bathroom had a large shower with plenty of hot water. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, especially Nicolas, who was always easy to reach. Even though the room faced the street, it stayed quiet with the windows closed. With them open, you can hear some traffic. The location was perfect, and I had a wonderful stay. Highly recommend!

The location is convenient for some of the city’s main landmarks, and the rooms are nicely furnished. But getting a room facing the main street can make a good night’s sleep impossible, especially if you can’t sleep with earplugs because the boulevard is so busy. Rooms also aren’t assigned according to the reservation. They put all the blame on the third-party booking system, even though they create and maintain the listing themselves.

We stayed in two rooms, one facing the street and one toward the inside, and noise wasn’t an issue in either. Of course, city life comes with a bit of buzz. The hotel is in a nice area, and its rooms feel personal and welcoming right away. We also appreciated the free minibar, Nespresso, and all the complimentary suggestions for restaurants, brunch, and coffee spots. A wonderful stay, and I’d highly recommend it for a few days in Porto.