In Porto Gallery Guesthouse
Review & Pictures by Shaun Troke
With a 5-day storm predicted to hit Portugal’s coastal city of Porto on the first day of my 5-day visit, all I could wonder was how to stay sheltered from these extreme wind & rain conditions…
Fortunately, In Porto Gallery Guesthouse played a huge part in helping!
What’s even more helpful is that this accommodation is easy-to-find (even in harsh weather!), by being only a 5min walk from Trindade, the station housing the Aeroporto Metro line that’ll transfer you directly from Porto Airport to Porto’s city centre in around 30 minutes!
The location of In Porto is extremely useful when visiting Porto: Sightseeing spots are all within walking distance, such as the Dom Luís I Bridge, São Bento railway station, the Livraria Lello…
And, if the weather really is against you, you won’t have to venture too far in this historic neighbourhood to find good eateries, too (I recommend Bicho Papão, only a few doors up the road from In Porto Gallery Guesthouse, with their choices of €6.00 4-course lunches)
But, it was arriving into the Guesthouse itself – from the outside stormy weather – where you’re greeted with a warm welcome from the loveliest of staff, that makes the world of difference during a chilly time in Porto…
YOUR ARRIVAL
Once inside the lovely reception area, the staff will ultimately go out of their way to make sure you have the most comfortable stay.
Currently, In Porto Guesthouse has six different room types for you to choose room…however, the adjacent building next door to In Porto has recently been purchased by In Porto’s owner/proprietor (Lara), and come April 2018, this second fraction of the building will reopen (with even more rooms, I assume)…and, I, myself, am intrigued to see this new development.
But for now, my stay with them was to be in their Dream Room…which certainly lived up to its name!
From the fully-equipped bathroom (with delicious-smelling Portus Cale products) to the large windows overlooking one of Porto’s most oldest streets; From the cosiest bed, to the air-con; the in-room beverage counter to the original international room service menu – this room (and no doubt every room!) facilitates all of your comfort needs.
YOUR STAY
Breakfast is by far the most generous I’ve ever indulged in!
The unlimited buffet seemed never-ending (thanks to the prompt staff who are always making sure food options are topped-up).
And, additional items – such as fried-eggs – can be cooked upon request!
And, it’s in the dining lounge where the theme of art & creativity is most apparent in the In Porto Gallery Guesthouse…
Paintings in frames decorate the walls, which also make the dining area an influential location for you to work in, if you want a break from working in your luxurious room (particularly as wifi is strong throughout this modern-meets-classic building).
There is also a relaxing conservatory room that adjoins the dining lounge that leads you out into a beautiful garden: It was actually pictures of the garden that first attracted me to In Porto Gallery Guesthouse.
However, because of the weather, I wasn’t able to enjoy this part of the Guesthouse like I was hoping to…yet, I do hope that I’m able to once again return in future, when the sun will be shining!
Other things I also missed out on – although these options were still available, if required – are the Romantic & VIP treatments that the Guesthouse offer to their guests at an additional charge: You can be collected & dropped-off in a luxury car (by a private driver), along with upgrading a romantic trip to a Super romantic trip, by adding a mix of flowers, strawberries, and wine to impress your loved one (more details about these can be found at this webpage link).
THE CONCLUSION
My own stay with In Porto Gallery Guesthouse was perfect.
The weather may not have allowed me to venture outside as much as I’d have liked to, yet it did allow me to spend more time inside the In Porto Guesthouse building…
Which made me appreciate this lovely accommodation so much MORE!
I also learned from a couple of locals that the wind & rain can be a regular occurence in this romantic city of Porto, and so, with this in mind, it’s certainly a must that you stay somewhere that provides absolute comfort & luxury, with essential indoor facilities, on those rainy days…
Because, whatever the weather, In Porto Gallery Guesthouse will always be luxury at its warmest!
Book your stay here http://www.inporto.pt/en/hotel-overview.html