A newly opened hotel in Porto’s creative quarter

Looking for a hotel for our city break in Porto, the newly opened 705 O’Porto Hotel immediately stood out. First of all, I had never stayed in a hotel that had opened only a few weeks earlier. There is something exciting about arriving when everything is still completely new and relatively undiscovered.

The second thing that caught my attention was the unusual name. Why 705?

A name that goes back more than 1,300 years

The inspiration comes from Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest hotel. It was founded in the year 705 and is still operating today.

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The 705 brand chose the date as a symbol of perseverance, genuine hospitality and long-term success. It may seem like an unexpected reference for a contemporary hotel in Porto, but once you know the story, the name makes perfect sense. It connects a very modern property with the idea that good hospitality should last — not only because of beautiful rooms, but because of how guests are made to feel.

In Porto’s creative neighbourhood

One of the hotel’s biggest advantages is its location, in the creative area around Porto’s Miguel Bombarda Arts District. The neighbourhood is known for its independent galleries, contemporary-art openings, design shops, creative studios and small local businesses.

Walking from the hotel towards the city centre became one of my favourite parts of our stay. We did it several times, and I genuinely miss it. The streets around the hotel have an alternative, artistic atmosphere, with little shops and glimpses of local life along the way. Then, after only about 15 to 20 minutes, you find yourself among Porto’s best-known historic streets.

You can also walk down to Ribeira in roughly half an hour, depending on your route and how often you stop for photos — and in Porto, stopping is almost guaranteed. The journey is mostly downhill on the way there, although it is worth remembering that the return involves Porto’s famous hills.

A spotless room with a historic view

As you would expect from a hotel that had only just opened, everything felt spotless and fresh. The interiors are modern, and technology is used in a practical way. Even housekeeping requests can be managed electronically, avoiding the usual paper signs hanging from the door.

Our room featured a balcony with outdoor seating and a fascinating view over the historic Palacete Pinto Leite, a 19th-century mansion that housed the Porto Music Conservatory for many years. Generations of musicians studied within its walls.

Some buildings seem to project a feeling that is difficult to put into words, and this was one of them. It has history, elegance and perhaps even a touch of mystery. Watching it from our balcony was particularly impressive around sunset, when the changing light made its old façade look even more dramatic.

The hotel offers several types of single and double rooms, including options with balconies. For a more spacious stay, there are also elegant suites with a balcony and sofa bed, which can be especially convenient for families.

Hospitality that feels personal

The hotel describes concierging as more than a formality — it is their daily motto. After our stay, I can confirm that this is not simply a nice sentence written on a website.

We arrived hungry and, as we were not familiar with the neighbourhood, a receptionist offered to help us find somewhere for dinner. She asked what kind of food we felt like eating and, when we said Italian, she researched restaurants nearby and came back with several recommendations and directions.

I really appreciated this gesture! In our family, I am normally the one checking restaurants, reading reviews and deciding where we should eat. Having somebody else do it for me was a welcome change. Even better, her recommendation led us to what became one of our favourite Italian restaurants ever.

A terrace made for slow evenings

Another of my favourite spaces was the hotel’s beautiful Terraza. I loved its combination of green and terracotta, the comfortable sofas and the cascade fountain wall, which adds the relaxing sound of running water.

The greenery also caught my attention. As we were told, these are real plants specially treated to maintain their appearance. They add a really fresh touch to the hotel design.

Altogether, the terrace has a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. I could easily imagine meeting friends here for cocktails or simply finding a quiet corner after a busy day of exploring Porto.

A breakfast worth getting up for

Breakfast is served as a buffet, and it was another highlight of our stay. The space has an open-kitchen concept, allowing guests to see some of the activity behind the scenes.

This was genuinely one of the best hotel breakfasts we have had. The choice went well beyond the standard eggs, cheese and pastries. There were dishes with chickpeas, feta and tomato, as well as hummus, tortillas, tapenade, fresh fruit, an excellent bread selection and, of course, Portuguese pastries.

There was even Port wine — because when you are in Porto, apparently even breakfast can come with a taste of the city.

Welcome drinks for the whole family

On the second day, we walked down to Ribeira. The weather was beautiful, the historic centre was busy, and the streets were filled with visitors enjoying the sunshine and Porto’s unmistakable atmosphere.

After returning to the hotel, we decided to stay at the bar and use the welcome-drink vouchers we had received at check-in. It was a lovely detail that all three of us had been included. Our son was offered his own non-alcoholic welcome drink, so he did not feel left out.

The bar is a versatile and vibrant space with great energy and, during our visit, a very talented bartender. There are also several small dishes and bites available, so we ordered a few things to share. As the evening went on, it was nice to see the bar gradually fill with a mix of hotel guests and people from outside, creating a lively atmosphere.

A promising new address in Porto

What stayed with me most about 705 O’Porto was the combination of newness and character. Everything was modern, fresh and beautifully presented, but the hotel feels like more than a newly finished building.

The view of the old palacete, the artistic neighbourhood, the evenings on the terrace or the staff who took time to make our stay personal. Whatever the reason, 705 O’Porto gave us a comfortable base to explore the city of Porto.

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