Santa Catarina Guest House (Porto city center)

It was truly a great location! We loved the back balcony area which was a little refuge from the vibrant, busy city... a quiet place for morning tea and an excellent place to sit with fellow guests for a glass of wine in the evening. The staff members we met were so very friendly and helpful. The shared kitchen was well stocked and ran very efficiently.

Comfort in a bed varies widely from person to person... some prefer a firm mattress while others prefer a softer mattress. For us in our room the mattress was too soft, but this is not a flaw for the guest house.

Well located, good value guest house on pedestrianised shopping street close to Bolhao Market and Bento Station. Very spacious, traditionally furnished room with good sized en suite and small balcony overlooking street, which was great for enjoying early self prepared breakfast in communal kitchen and breakfasting on balcony when street was very quiet. No night time noise was experienced during a three night midweek stay. Kitchen and dining area was available on check out day as was luggage storage. Large fan worked fairly well in hot weather. Very good access instructions with combination locks and key box access.

Air con would be better in hot weather however it is a traditional building.

Everything essential is within a 15-minute reach; if you love lively streets, you need only sit at your balcony table or choose one of the many cafés and bistros in the immediate vicinity. It takes thirty minutes to get here from the airport, and the metro is just around the corner; in fact, the building is located in a pedestrian zone, so a car is completely unnecessary. Accommodation in this historic building—featuring a suite with a modern bathroom—is flawless, though be prepared for a long wooden staircase in the foyer that might leave you winded if carrying a large suitcase, and don't forget your access code. It is also worth noting that without air conditioning, this isn't the place to stay during a heatwave, and not everyone is accustomed to the bustle of the city center continuing through the night. However, the atmosphere makes for an unforgettable experience.

For the downsides, see the upsides.

It was in a great location, you are in the action and a walk in any direction gets you to one of the many attractions Porto has to offer.

Room door did not feel secure, when locked someone could easily push the door in. Shower was dirty and had mold build up.