Reply To: Booking direct with Crowne Plaza Porto – get points?

[tom1]

Few weeks late, but reporting back.

Porto was great for a weekend. Very hilly, but quite compact.

The obvious options at the time were IC Porto, crowne plaza, Hilton Gaia, HIE and the mercure. The Hilton Canopy wasn’t open at the time – but the location looks good, modern building.

I stayed at mercure Alidos – a new hotel (2021 I think), great location very close to IC, (small) swimming pool, nice outdoor terrace, great breakfast. Paid £80pn Inc breakfast. Don’t regret it at all. 2 minute walk from Sao Bento railway station, and about 5-10 walk from the metro which goes to the airport in 30 minutes for a few euros. Rooms were nice – very modern – USB ports everywhere, chromecast on the TV, Safe big enough for a laptop, small desk, empty mini fridge, tea and coffee. Breakfast was really good – especially the cooked sausages, bacon, eggs etc.

For anyone staying at the IC, be aware there is big excavation work immediately outside The hotel. They are building a new metro line and there are quite a few works ongoing around the hotel. Can’t image it affects inside the hotel – but the views over the square won’t be anything to post on Instagram. I walked past several times and it took the shine of what I assume is normally an impressive frontage.

I didn’t go and look at the Hilton Gaia but I ruled it out before I went based on the location (south side of the river). However in hindsight I don’t think it’s that far away. There are bars and restaurants both sides of the Douro river – so you’re probably 5-10 minutes walk from the river maximum. It’s onnthe same side as the Port warehouses and museums. Most of the other ‘sights’ are on the opposite side of the river though, so it’s probably 20-25 minute walk to the main town. Taxis are cheap though – most under 5eur.

I went to find the new Hilton Canopy. It’s not marked yet from the outside, but going by the pin in the Hilton app, I could see the frontage. The building looked semi-occupied on the upper floors which I thought was bizarre. It’s just up the hill from the Sao bento station, opposite the cathedral and next to the bridge. Think that will be a good location.

If any runners, can recommend Porto Running Tours. Good way to see the sights and burn off some calories…. Before eating the pastels de nata.