kathleen

Some questions about a Porto visit.

Lodging: We’ll be spending two nights in Porto in November and are considering hotels in two different areas. Area 1, near the Sao Bento or Aliados metros or Sao Bento train station: Hotel Teatro, Hotel Infante De Sagres, Eurostars Das Artes Hotel, or Hotel Aliados. Area 2, the Riberia area: Pestana Vintage Porto or 1872 River House. Is the subway to Riberia area easy access with carry-on luggage? Anyone have any suggestions, first-hand knowledge, or comments on any of these lodging possibilities? Are there others that I should consider? There seems to be so many good ones in the right areas that I’m having a hard time narrowing it down.

Arriving: We’ll be arriving from Santiago de Compostela by bus or train (haven’t decided which would be better) and will travel onward to the hotel by metro, or other city transportation, (haven’t decided how yet) Suggestions? Thanks.

sandralist

I really enjoyed my stay in Porto and hope to return, and I stayed in the Mercure near Sao Bento train station. I have to say that I very much disliked -- I started to write "hated" and changed my mind -- but I very much disliked the Ribiera area -- actually, I disliked both banks of the river -- but otherwise loved every minute of being in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It was just the immediate area of the river banks that are so commercialized for foreign tourism that I found off-putting. It appears there are a lot of cheap flights into Porto from various parts of Europe, and there are lot of people who fly in for a few days of cheap fish, cheap beer and cheap port and this is exactly where all that action is.

You only need to go 3 streets away from the riverside walk/cafes, up the hills, and Porto is endlessly fascinating, and the views from the hillsides of Vila Nova de Gaia are marvelous. As you move around the rest of Porto you will encounter other small areas that are quite touristic, but it isn't quite as un-charming as the area along the banks.

kathleen

Thanks Sandra, We're looking forward to Porto. I looked up the hotel you mentioned, and it looks like another good choice to consider. My list has just gotten bigger! We're beginning to think that being nearer to the train station and metros might be better for us than the river area.

MyriamC

We stayed at the Porto Trindade Hotel twice. It's right across Trindade metro stop (next metro stop is Aliados) and it has a bus stop in front of the hotel. Very convenient, and good service.

kathleen

We booked a city view w/balcony room at the Hotel Aliados primarily because of its great central location near to the metro and train station. It looks like it will meet our needs perfectly, though in November we probably won't be using the balcony much!
Thank Myriam, We looked at the Trindade, but felt, for us, its location was not as good as what we finally chose.