Castelo Santa Catarina  

If you like your hotels to have character then this is the place. An oasis in an otherwise busy and not so solubrious area of the city. Hidden behind high walls, it has a very relaxing garden and good parking. It is packed with olde worlde charm - the downside of that being that there is no lift and the stairs are very narrow in some parts. Everywhere is filled with ornate antique furniture. Comfortable beds, very friendly, helpful staff and a not so bad cntinental breakfast. If you have the Royal Suite you even get tea and coffee making facilities - unusual in most continental hotels. The group of four of us needed three rooms, which was great as they were all grouped together on our one private landing. Super end to a lovely holiday in Northern Portugal.

Other reviewers have commented on the area and new arrivals on our last day appeared very concerned to even step foot outside the hotel. Please, ignore such comments. It's not the most attractive street around the hotel, but Santa Caterina is one of the main shopping area and is also home to the Majestic Cafe - the cafe is Oporto. People of very friendly and there is less chance of any problems in that area than in the centre of London. Get things in perspective.

Unique and special property -- truly a delight!

hotel concept

The Hotel is a nineteenth century folly and the current decor maintains original grandeur with superb chandeliers and carved wood panelling in the sitting and dining rooms. The bedrooms are furnished with genuine antiques in matching sets and the whole ambience of the place delightfully combines the idea of an old mock castle and modern comfort. The grounds are equally pleasant with a matching chapel and a terace with traditional stonework balustrades. It is very pleasant to sit there in the evenings. The staff were exceptionally helpful and pleasant, but that seems to be quite normal in Northern Portugal. Breakfast was as good as it gets in Portugal, with a nice range of cakes. For a stay in a quirky old place which is well-maintained this place would be hard to beat. I loved it! I do not think it would appeal to those who like smart modern hotels. For me it was perfect, but I think when it comes to recommending to others, I would have to say that it is to some extent a specialist place. I should point out that I stayed in the castle building, and most rooms are ranged round the exterior wall in the grounds. I do not know if a stay in one of those would give the same atmosphere, but doubt it, so it is important when booking to specify a room in the castle.

I have 2 very small points which I hope would not put off anyone who would like the idea of the place. The hotel is on one of the most important streets in the City; it is only a 15 minute walk to the main tourist centre and less than 5 minutes walk to the nearest metro stop. From this point of view the location is excellent. However, once outside the beautiful grounds of the hotel, the immediate area is rather run down, and late at night on the walk back from the metro, one sees a few prostitutes in the street and a group of young men in the garden where the metro stop comes up. People of a nervous disposition, or a lone female might feel a bit nervous. During daylight hours there is no problem at all. As there is no restaurant in the hotel, or in the immediate vicinity, it is necessary to go into the City to eat in the evening, so people worried about the above problem might need to take a taxi, but this is not expensive in Porto.As a very picky point there is a very narrow staircase to the first floor of the castle, so it is a bit of a struggle with cases, but staff will always help, so it is not really a problem. I think it would be a problem for the extremely obese!

It's very beautifool place, even the room for breakfast looks like the castel's sala. The stuff is enough helpfool, positive oriented.

It was difficult enough to get there by car because of the streets with one side roates.

This is a unique place with lots of character. We stayed at the tower room with an superb 360 degree view overlooking Porto. The personnel is very friendly, and we recommend to ask to see the chappel (on site). Even the areas and rooms that are still to be renovated are very clean. Decoration of the breakfast room is an experience on its own. Certainly worth a stay. When in Porto next time, we'll return.

One of the rare cases where the hotel looks better than what the pictures show. Very well kept, with a superbly kind and english fluent staff. Fully equipped rooms and you can really enjoy some rest as it is a calm and silent place, even if it's located near the city center. Metro, buses and taxis near the hotel and walkable distance to some of the city's main points of interest. 5*

we just loved the castelo.Very different from modern hotels. Full of charm and character and the staff were excellent......so were the breakfasts, especially the cakes!!

I stayed in the tower with a superb view of the old city of Porto. Wonderful buffet breakfast and easy parking.

It is a fairly good hotel but it does not offer the grandeur/spendour that it presents, however it is worth a stay.

Excellent and very helpful staff! and we particularly liked the romantic "castle" atmosphere! Very nice - would love to come back!

The place is absolutely lovely, very romantic, well located

We chose the hotel because of the parking wich was secured with camera surveillance and the gate was closed during the night. Our room was romantic and I really liked the breakfast with calm music on the back round. The personnel were all very nice and polite as well. Felt very welcome. The taxis are quite cheap in Porto area, so the location was not a problem.