Miragaia House, close to Porto's colourful waterfront 'Cais da Ribeira' (now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is a charming house with just 5 guest bedrooms, each done up elegantly. Unlike many other such 'old-world' properties, it has a lift, which is a bonus.
The reception, however, closes at 7pm. Those arriving after 7pm are given a code for the door in advance, AS WELL AS a local phone number to call in case of need. So, although we arrived after 10pm, when we discovered the air conditioner in our room was not working, the person we called informed the owner immediately, who turned up in person and fixed it for us, despite the lateness of the hour.
LOCATION
The hotel is within walking distance of most of Porto's strengths, including: the River Douro, Cais da Ribeira (waterfront), Igreja de São Francisco (with its 18th-century Tree of Jesse), Dom Luís I Bridge, Casa do Infante (Henry the Navigator Museum), Bolsa Palace, Clérigos Church & Tower, Livraria Lello (of Harry Potter fame), São Bento train station (with its approximately 20,000 azulejos that tell the story of Portugal), Praça do Liberdade, Mercado do Bolhão, and the Majestic Café, The short walk from Miragaia House to the Cais da Ribeira is along a section of the route of the old-fashioned tram.
BREAKFAST
An excellent selection of fresh fruit, fresh fruit juices, cereals, liquid yoghurt for cereal, Portuguese breads and cakes, cold meats, home-baked cakes and jams.
CLEANLINESS
10*
