Zero Box Lodge Porto

I didn't expect the place to be so cozy. The room is clean and nice, with a comfortable bed, and breakfast is tasty. The staff are really friendly, and you can use the sauna whenever you want, which is a nice bonus. It's downtown, close to a supermarket and lots of restaurants. We're enjoying our stay here!

The bathroom and shower are surprisingly roomy, while the rooms are small and pretty plain. The beds were comfortable enough, and that duvet was lovely. We found the hallway lockers handy both before and after check-in, and the staff were really kind and helpful even though we got there much too early. There was more noise than we wanted from the neighboring bathrooms and pipes, but shutting the bathroom door at bedtime, as they recommend, made it a lot quieter. A nice surprise in the middle of Porto, and a very pleasant stay.

The bathroom was clean and spacious, and the room was clean and comfortable, even if it was basically a wooden box. I liked the idea behind the place: it gives you the essentials for sleeping and privacy, so you spend your time out exploring the city instead of lying in bed. I think some of the low ratings are unfair, since those reviewers may not have understood that concept. I was nervous after reading them before booking, but I was happy with my stay, especially for the reasonable price compared with other options in the city. The biggest drawback was how clearly sounds traveled through the bathroom. We could hear our neighbor talking and doing things, and they could hear us too. Breakfast was also very basic, and a lot of items that are usually served warm came out cold. Still, don't let that put you off booking.

The box room was an unusual idea, but my partner and I ended up loving it during our three nights here. Air conditioning kept the temperature comfortable all day, and the toilet was good, with a large shower. We also tried the sauna and rooftop pools one evening. The pools aren't heated, just refreshingly cool, and I'd suggest turning one into a heated spa pool so guests have two temperature choices. I'd heard noise could be an issue, and I can see why, though it didn't bother us. The 24-hour reception was useful whenever we needed something, and the staff were very nice. We had an amazing stay and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Porto, especially for the price.