A splendid castle adorned with azulejo overlooks a charming garden with a big pine tree in the middle, giving shadow to roses in bloom... Classical statues, exquisite lanterns, a private church and the owner's cat walking through the bushes of some violet flowers... Classical music playing at breakfast which takes place in two gorgeous rooms. Big crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, pictures decorate the walls, an oval mirror reflects your imperfect image and makes you feel that your T-shirt and shorts are out of place here... A butler is missing in this place, but he would be appropriate...
And this is the romantic picture your memory (and photo camera) will keep after staying at this hotel. Practical notes now.
LOCATION. Not very central but good. You can reach the centre on foot: Rua de Santa Catarina, a bit simple and shabby in the upper part where the hotel stands, turns out to be one of the best shopping streets closer to the centre. There is also Marques metro station nearby, so we went on foot to the centre and returned by metro in the evening.
ROOM. There are rooms in the castle itself decorated in the same style, not as picturesque but practical rooms in the modern building behind it and (as I understood) 2 modern rooms in a separate 1-floor "house" in the middle of the garden. We had one of these and were extremely happy as when we opened the door and the window, it felt as if the whole garden was ours as well. And even the cat came to visit our room. Beds and pillows are comfortable, good shower, a kettle with tea/coffee. Very efficient air-conditioner. Clean, quiet.
BREAKFAST. Nothing extraordinary, but good. Anyway, the food excites much less than the interiors of the breakfast room.
WHAT TO IMPROVE. Not many things, but as a sort of recommendation to become absolutely perfect. 1) A safety box in the room would be appreciated as Porto is a busy city and sometimes crowded. 2) Personally, I felt the staff was very very formal, seemed I was in a chain hotel... and - a funny thing - when I first saw the ladies dressed totally in white I thought some doctors came to an ill guest)
VALUE FOR MONEY? Absolutely!!!
GENERAL IMPRESSION. A tourist attraction of its own, a hotel which exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended!

Okay first the good part - this boutique hotel is beautiful and nicely done. The courtyard, the breakfast area are a visual treat. Rooms though we got a newer one but was clean and spacious. Though the check in time is post 12 noon but the front desk was kind enough to give us a room early. Out of two days we could have breakfast one day and it was decent. Location wise good too as the city centre is 15 minutes walk. Good price too.
Now the disappointing part - the hotel does not have any dining facility other than breakfast. Then the breakfast is served as late as 8am. I have traveled quite a bit around the world but never found a hotel serving breakfast as late as 8am. So the day before check out when we asked for the breakfast time we were told that it’s 8am and we cannot be served as we were leaving before 8am. For early breakfast we should have informed before but as it’s 8pm so no arrangement can be made. We were also told that we were informed about the breakfast time upon check in which we doubt as who would like to miss a paid breakfast. If it’s possible to arrange an early breakfast then anybody and everybody will do that. Anyway we were flatly refused by the person attending the reception which was kind of rude.