Flores is one of the nicest streets in central Porto sloping gently down from São Bento station (the one with the beautiful tiles) and is packed full of shops, restaurants and bars. PortoBay Flores is right in the middle of all the action, a short walk to the amazing art nouveau Harry Potteresque Livraria Lello bookshop and the Clerigos Tower and a steeper climb up to the cathedral.
Soak in the history
There’s plenty of history to be found in the hotel too: it’s made up of two buildings, one of which is a 16th-century palace and there’s also an 18th-century chapel. 11 of the 66 rooms are in the old stately home and have more lavish interiors, while the other rooms in the brand new building are more slick and modern. There are plenty of places to chill out here including the peaceful patio garden on sunny days and comfy lounges with fireplaces for cosy nights. The spa is also perfect for a chilled time after a hectic day of hillwalking, port sipping and exploring. There’s a gym, swimming pool and a big menu of treatments to truly relax mind and body.
Dive into those soft sheets after a busy day
Grab a table in the Bar dos Maias, an on street bar making cocktails, refreshing port and tonic and sangria. Have a drink before moving on to the fine dining restaurant Bistro Flores in the former noble halls of the restored palace. Chef Nuno Miguel cooks up treats like croaker fish and prawn raviloi and octopus with chorizo oil, as well as Porto’s famous francesinha sandwiches. And after all that, it’s probably time for a nice lie down in one of the 300-thread count Egyptian cotton bedsheets. Bliss.
In partnership with PortoBay Flores