3.5 stars
A sparkling and relatively new property that makes a very good first impression when you walk into the soaring, modern, and spacious lobby. Equally impressive is the Sheraton Porto's spa, a very large space with a great indoor pool and an amazing 'vitality pool', essentially a huge hydrotherapy pool that you could easily spend hours in. The staff in the lounge is incredibly helpful and friendly, making sure that your time in the spa is as relaxing as possible.
As for the rest of our experience, I'd say that our stay was marked by contradictions, with the focus of this hotel really being on the public areas. The beautiful and inviting lobby stood in stark contrast to the efficient yet sterile reception we received at the front desk, with no real SPG recognition other than asking me to sign a form to have 250 bonus points credited to my account; check-out was equally impersonal. The rooms were comfortable and felt quite spacious due to their floor-to-ceiling windows but weren't quite as well-maintained as the public areas, with many of the finishes in the room scratched up and a not very sturdy plastic floor in the shower that would flex underfoot. I was also struck by the thermostat not actually having temperature markings and that there were no USB outlets in the room, something every modern hotel should have. (Don't forget your adapters!) I do have to say that I did like the glass wall between the main part of the room and the bathroom, giving the room a larger feel, and the embedded vertical blind that could be adjusted electronically for privacy. The beds are rock hard - but, after long days of travel and sightseeing, you'll still get an okay night's sleep.
Our rooms came with club lounge access, but the lounge is on the smallish side and not particularly comfortable, with offerings that are similar to any club lounge in the US - surprising, since international hotel lounges tend to be better in general. I'd advise against paying for the upgrade.
Breakfast was included in either the lounge or the restaurant - skip the lounge and go downstairs to the hotel's very comfortable restaurant where there's much more of a selection and the ability to get omelets made to order. The staff in the restaurant is eager to please, as are the staff at the New Yorker Bar, who serve up cocktails with a smile.
Others have commented on the distance of the hotel from the center of historic Porto, but we really didn't find that to be a problem. Uber fares are quite inexpensive here and we were able to get to Liberdade Square for about €4 and to Gaia for about €6 - less expensive than the Metro if there's more than two people traveling (and much more convenient). You also get to explore Avenida Boavista which is a short walk from the hotel, with some good shopping and dining options. It's also only about a 10-12 minute drive to the airport, almost all highway.
So, a mixed bag, with some things done quite well and others not so much, but the Sheraton Porto is still a decent option, especially given that you shouldn't be spending that much time in your room anyway - if you're at the hotel, head for the spa, and otherwise, head out and enjoy one of Europe's most beautiful and picturesque cities! read more