Porto Day 3 - Porto is so cheap!!!
The Hotel Menfis is a great hotel for the budget traveller. Situated just outside the central area of the city, it represents excellent value for money with quality facilities. The hotel features air conditioning, cable TV, buffet breakfast and air conditioning.
Next up was the Hotel America at the top end of the Santa Catarina (the Oxford Street of Porto). Run by a very friendly staff, this hotel featured modern décor, on-site car parking, a well-maintained bar and pleasant rooms with an in-built CD/radio and free WiFi. The rooms were reasonably priced being in a good location for any shopping trips, but also accessible to all areas of the city from the nearby Metro stop.
The Resedencial Rex is a good stop for the experienced traveller. Situated on one of Porto’s main squares, Republica, it is in easy reach of the main attractions. The rooms featured art deco furniture with spectacular high ceilings decorated with classical artwork. The Rex also accommodates on site car parking and generally has a “youth hostelly” feel about it, in a good way!
The last visit of the day was to the Residencial S. Marino. In another of the squares, Praça Carlos Alberto, and again close the shopping district around Santa Catarina and the Dos Aliados. The S Marino featured good sized rooms some with a balcony overlooking the square. There was also a garden area to spend time catching the sun or read a book. A good choice for people looking for good value in quieter and attractive surroundings.
Our evening was spent in one of the local eateries across the road from the Pão de Açúcar . Seeing a chef barbequing chicken, we decided to jump inside. Two large meals, five cervejas and a couple of coffees came to a staggering 12 Euros. Something of a rarity in Europe to see such high quality food for very little.
We decided then to explore the nightlife a little. Someone had recommended Sandemans Bar, across the River Douro. So we promptly followed the recommendation and were pleasantly surprised. The route to this side of the river involves a walk through very rustic Hispanic roads and the bar itself sits neatly by the side of the river. There are a number of bars and restaurants along this stretch, Sandmans providing us with a pleasant atmosphere with cheap beers and wines.
