Gaia Residence

The restaurant was great and the food was good. One time my spare rib arrived almost cold. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be served that way, but it tasted fine. The staff were very friendly, and the apartment was clean, with a large comfortable room. There’s a small pool and a sauna for an extra charge, which is understandable. The location is about 2.5 km from central Porto, so it’s quieter and calmer; Uber was practical and reasonably priced. The soundproofing is poor. I could hear the neighbors farting, babies crying, and taps running in what may have been the bathroom next to my bedroom. It was loud enough to wake me in the mornings and left me angry and disappointed. I could hear cars outside too. Some basic apartment items were missing, including a trash bin and bags. The kitchen had an electric cable lying on the floor, which looked bad and could be dangerous for kids. The microwave was beside the water sink, which felt dangerous, and had no proper place. The kitchenette was very old, so we had to be careful using it, and in my room the extractor didn’t work.

Breakfast had a good selection, the staff were friendly and great with kids, and they were understanding when our son made a mess again. The rooms were spacious and clean, with a pretty good view and reasonably fast Wi-Fi. We slept well, and the Metro was close by, though the hotel is a little outside Porto’s old town. The interior felt dated, and the shower over the bathtub was easy to slip in. Sound insulation was thin, so the rooms were noisy and we could clearly hear the neighbors at times. We liked our stay a lot, and with a few improvements this could be five stars. I’d recommend it for families.

The staff were nice and friendly. The room seemed only partly set up as a kitchen, missing basics like pots, cups, a garbage can, and cleaning supplies. Pool use costs extra. The room was supposed to have a river view, though you can only see it if you really look.

The staff were amazing, helpful, and nice, and the breakfast buffet had lots for the celiac community, including individually wrapped gluten-free croissants, bread, and cereal. Rooms were clean, and the refrigerator was handy. There’s a MiniPreços, a small convenience store, a short walk away. The hotel is on Porto’s south shore, less than a 10-minute Uber or taxi ride from the heart of Porto and its main attractions.