Reis de Gaia

There are plenty of great restaurants nearby, the food market is less than a 10-minute walk away, and the Port wine cellars are just around the corner. The room was comfortable, the bed especially so, and the shutters block out all the light if you want to sleep in. Our flight got in well before check-in, but the friendly, helpful staff let us check in, kept our bags until the room was ready, and brought them up while we were out exploring the city.

The staff were really friendly, and the place is spacious, practical, well equipped, and in a great spot. Parking can be very close if you get lucky, though check the map before you arrive. The room felt dated and wasn't very clean. There was quite a bit of dust, and the heated towel rail was dirty. Nothing major on its own, but it fell short of what I'd expect from a supposedly four-star hotel. We've mostly stayed in two-star places, and most were cleaner. There's still no air conditioning, and I think it's been a while now. We also noticed a horrible smell from the fridge cupboard and didn't dare open it afterward. The shower was very good, but it leaked and had several broken parts. Breakfast was cheap, though disappointing. The fruit salad and fruit selection were great; on the first day the bread was a little stale and the ham seemed close to going off. The second day was okay. Overall, Reis de Gaia left us somewhat disappointed.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and this is an apartment rather than a hotel, so there's no room service unless you ask for it. Our place had a sink and kitchenette. The clean, modern apartments are a few blocks from the river, in a neighborhood where locals live, with a small, well-stocked grocery store nearby.

It's easy to get here from the train, and the less touristy side of the river has great views and an easy walk into Porto proper. The boutique apartment hotel is a lovely place to stay. The staff are wonderful, put out a nice breakfast each day, and are very helpful with making local plans.