Hotel Teatro ★★★★

Visiting Porto is like stepping back in time to the romance of old-world Europe. Between the narrow winding streets and the antiquated charm of its shops, bars, and restaurants, it is an easy city to fall in love with. Its beautiful old buildings with their blue and white tile facades can be found peppered throughout Porto and serve as a picture perfect glimpse into Europe’s romantic past, while the old port wine houses lining the river are a reminder of the city’s legacy as an important trading centre. The steep hills of the old city rise above the riverbank where narrow cobbled streets carry you up into the charming heart of Porto. Despite the old-world feel of the place, small pockets of modern sensibility can be found tucked throughout the ancient city if you know where to look.

Stepping off the old cobbled streets and into the Hotel Teatro, we were disarmed by the chic interior of the place so different from the rustic feel of its surroundings. The hotel is a unique space in the city centre, and we are reminded of that with touches of the theatre that once inhabited the space displayed throughout. The lobby is a stunning walk into the gilded age of theatre, and with a history like this one, the hotel is no stranger to the seductive power of spectacle. The old theatre costumes on display are a nod to the hotel’s origins, but there is nothing antiquated about the space. The sleek, modern décor is a luscious blend of gold and black and the undulating curves of the bronzed ceiling sets a tone of glamour and adds instant drama to the space. Upon checking in, we found the reception area dressed as a box office and instead of a traditional room key, we were given tickets to get into our rooms. With these in hand, we were immediately prepared to be further seduced. Of course our beautiful Gallery Room was also awash in bronze and gold, in keeping with rest of the hotel and lending an elegant air to the space. The sweeping wooden bed frame keeps the space intimate, while the room itself is comfortably spacious.

Tearing ourselves away from the luxuries of the hotel, we journeyed out into the city to the Ribeira, the oldest part of the city, taking in the myriad sights and sounds along the way. We crossed the river again on the sky-high pedestrian bridge, taking advantage of the stunning views, and soon found ourselves in front of the famous port wine factories. From there we could admire the whitewashed buildings with their signature red tile roofs stacked elegantly on the hill. After pausing long enough for the requisite visit to one of the prestigious port houses, we made our way to the funicular which carried us high into the city centre. At the end of a long day of climbing the streets, we returned to the hotel completely exhausted. We didn’t feel the need to take advantage of the impressive gymnasium on the top floor of the hotel but we found other diversions. We indulged in the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel and enjoyed the interior courtyard which hides a small garden where you can escape to some peace and quiet away from the city.

The hotel’s restaurant, Palco, was the next temptation on our list. We couldn’t say no to the divine tasting menu and were faithfully treated to some the best food in the city. Between the locally sourced seafood and the decadent desserts, there was no question that we would be staying for dinner more than once. The bar Plateia is an equal showstopper with drinks to match. If you didn’t know the term molecular mixology existed before your visit, you will as soon as you partake in one of the superb concoctions that the excellent barkeep makes with one of specialty-sourced liquors or liqueurs from around the world. ‘Surprise me’ is phrase worth knowing in this bar, and just like the theatre of old, it doesn’t disappoint, and for that, the Hotel Teatro deserves a standing ovation.