PortoBay Hotel Teatro sits in the middle of the old downtown, in the shopping district just off Avenida dos Aliados, and its great strength is how much of Porto you can reach without using anything but your feet. The hotel lists a walking time of one minute to the Historic Centre, two minutes to Avenida dos Aliados, three minutes to Bolhão Market and São Bento Station, five minutes to City Hall and seven minutes to the cathedral. The Pr. D. João I metro stop is two minutes away, so the airport, which is about a twenty-four minute drive, is easy to reach by car or train. Rated as a four-class property, it describes itself as an upscale boutique hotel with seventy-five rooms. The room names give a hint of the concept: Tribune, Audience and Gallery categories, plus junior suites and a larger suite for up to three guests. Sizes range from compact gallery rooms of about 210 square feet to a suite of around 560. The hotel lists a restaurant and bar, air conditioning, free WiFi, a concierge, tour and ticket assistance, a twenty-four-hour front desk and luggage storage. There is no pool or spa, so this is a hotel for people who spend their days out in the city rather than by the water. Breakfast is a buffet with a surcharge, and parking and an airport shuttle on request are paid extras.
The location is the whole case for staying here. In a city of hills, being able to step out and be at Bolhão Market, Livraria Lello and the Clérigos Tower within an easy stroll saves time and energy, and the downtown streets around the hotel hold plenty of cafes, pastry shops and restaurants.
Evenings are lively but the hotel is a few steps from the busiest bar streets rather than on them, so you can choose how much noise to take in. First-time visitors who want to see as much as possible on foot will find it ideal.
Living in it
The room categories matter. The Gallery rooms are the smallest, so couples who like space should look at the Tribune or Audience double or twin rooms, which are noticeably larger, or at a junior suite. Check-in is from 3:00 pm and check-out is at noon. If you are arriving by car, note that parking carries a nightly fee, and the old streets can be narrow.
Most guests will do better with public transport from the airport and a taxi or metro for the last stretch. Guest scores on are very high, with a 9.6 out of 10 average across more than 740 reviews and strong marks for staff and cleanliness.
Who it suits
Couples, solo travellers and friends on a city break, and business visitors who want a central base. It is less suited to travellers who want a spa, a pool or a large resort-style hotel. For a restful evening, you can use the hotel restaurant and bar, or walk five minutes to the Aliados cafes. The hotel pairs naturally with day trips to the Douro or the coast, since the metro and São Bento Station are both so close, and it makes an efficient base for a stay of two to four nights.
Why stay here
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Concierge and tour assistance
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Suites and junior suites
- ✓Walk to Aliados and Bolhão
- ✓Metro two minutes away
Good questions
How close is PortoBay Hotel Teatro to São Bento Station?+
The hotel lists a walk of about three minutes to São Bento Station and two minutes to the Pr. D. João I metro stop, with Avenida dos Aliados two minutes away.
Does the hotel have a pool or spa?+
No. The hotel lists a restaurant, a bar and a concierge, but no pool or spa.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available with a surcharge, and parking and airport shuttle are also paid extras, so check the rate details when you book.
