Vera Cruz Porto Downtown Hotel

The longer I stayed, the more my opinion of the hotel changed! My first impressions were that this was an average, budget hotel: a small room with a small double bed, old fashioned furniture, tiny shower cubicle, no fridge, kettle or bottled water and a waste bin that still had someone’s trash in it. BUT… the room was otherwise clean and functional and the ladies on reception were amazing and the friendliest people ever. They spoke fantastic English and greeted me by name every time I left or came back (you have to leave your room key with them). They provided a map and advice on where to go and offered to arrange a taxi when I left etc. You are asked what time you want breakfast when you check in which is a bit odd, but the breakfast room on the 9th floor is small so breakfast times have to be staggered. There is a rope cordon across the entrance to stop people going in (not very welcoming). Breakfast was simple but adequate. The hotel is less than 5 minutes’ walk from Trindade station (if you’re coming from the airport) and in a side street opposite the city hall and the Porto sign. It’s 10-15 minutes to walk downhill to most of the sights and down to the river. The main road is noisy with cars and buses rumbling all night so you might have difficulty sleeping with the window open if you have a front facing balcony room. The walls are thin, so you can hear people talking in the next rooms. However, I really enjoyed my stay as a solo traveller and for 90 Euros a night (including breakfast), this was good value for Porto.

Booked this because of the great price and reviews. We stayed 5 nights and it worked out at £58 per night with breakfast. You can't argue with that. Hotel is right in the heart of the city and is central to everything. Ten minute walk from Trinade station. (central hub). Easy to reach on the metro from the airport via Trinade station. Ten minutes to Livrraia Lello. Also great places to eat within 5 mins walk. Breakfast cost us two euros each per night with the rate we got and it far exceeded expectations. Staff are lovely, especially the reception staff. Room was cleaned daily and was done to a high standard. Room was big, bed, comfortable. Bathroom huge and shower hot with good pressure. Hotel had a few tired spots , worn carpet in well used areas and room had a couple of fittings loose. But for the price it was an exceptional stay. We stayed in room 802. Great views and a balcony. Some noise from breakfast room above us, but we were up early anyway, so not an issue. Higher floor meant less street noise so we gained from this I think. Slept well every night.

The reception are amazing people