Crowne Plaza Porto ★★★★★

Situated in an upscale residential and business area on the wide Avenida da Boavista, in between elegant mansions and tall office blocks, you’ll find the 5-star hotel Crowne Plaza Porto. Perfectly positioned half way between the sea and the city centre, the hotel is never too far from any of Porto’s major sights.

Here it’s all about indulgence and comfort, which you’ll notice as soon as you enter. Welcoming staff are there to greet you upon arrival and your room is a sumptuous and inviting space, painted in warming tones of plums, terracottas and chocolates, and filled with dark wood furniture and cosy soft furnishings. You won’t have any trouble sleeping here either thanks to luxurious bedding, aromatherapy and dedicated quiet zones.

And for those who want to stay awake and enjoy the facilities, they’ll find complimentary in-room teas and coffees, high-speed internet and a wide flat-screen TV complete with personalized entertainment and films.

Just steps from your hotel you’ll find the contemporary and innovative inverted house-shaped Casa da Música, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas. Home to three different orchestras, including the National Orchestra of Porto, it’s a great place to catch a concert. Explore further the other direction and you’ll come across the Contemporary Serralves Art Museum, located in a beautiful park and gardens.

In the afternoon, explore further afield and take a boat cruise under the iconic metal arch bridge of Dom Luis I and along the Douro Valley to see the famous port wine lodges and cellars. Visitors will discover how the grapes are grown and how this particular type of fortified wine is produced – a definite must for wine lovers.

As evening begins to fall, head towards the romantic city centre and one of the cultural gems of UNESCO World Heritage Porto – the Ribeira district. Located along the waterfront, it’s filled with candy-coloured houses, narrow medieval alleyways, cute plazas and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Portugal has a very distinct cuisine, featuring plenty of seafood from the surrounding Atlantic Ocean, as well as hearty stews and soups and their famous roast chicken. One of the most traditional Porto delicacies is Francesinha – made from bread, ham, steak and sausage, smothered in melted cheese and topped with hot tomato and beer sauce. It’s perfect paired with a glass of port. A great place to try some of these dishes is back at the hotel’s Poivron Rouge Restaurant, a cosy and traditional dining space specializing in cuisine from the Douro and northern regions of Portugal, as well as international fare.

End the day with a nightcap – perhaps a glass of traditional port - at the warm and elegant Poivron Rouge Bar, with access to a lovely terrace and pretty garden.

A trusted and luxurious brand, the Crowne Plaza Porto is the ideal base from which to explore the historic city, as well as ensuring a comfortable and elegant space in which to relax and unwind.