In Porto Gallery Guesthouse — Hotel in Porto

We very rarely submit a review, whether a fantastic stay or a disappointing one, but we felt we should ensure anyone planning to stay at In Porto Gallery, what to expect for €300 for a 2 night stay, as we found.|Firstly, my wife and I have no problems about the comfort of the bed or the cleanliness of both the bedroom or bathroom, purely the poor level of service that you should not reasonably experience from a guesthouse offering breakfast. Before we retired we ran a pub in London that offered bed and breakfast, so we have had experience in operating one.|I received an email 3 days before Check In confirming arrangements, stating that “we try to be present at all our guest’ check ins, but sometimes it is not possible. Therefore…we will send you a code that you should enter on the keypad at the entrance…if you arrive after 3pm….Check in can be done normally the following morning.”|We had an early flight so we hoped to be able to drop our luggage and return in the afternoon after 3pm. Katya, the manager, checked our passports and was happy for us to leave our luggage, and recommended us a local cafe. She said she was leaving at 3pm, but didn’t tell us that no one now works there once she leaves, nor showed us where our room keys were. The printed code we had been sent the day before was in our luggage that we left there as we had not been advised we would need it.|We returned at 3.30 to find the guesthouse locked without any alternative instructions to gain admittance apart from a tiny telephone number hidden away behind the door handle. After 10 minutes waiting for someone to answer the door bell we rang this number and one of the owners answered and we were given a code to enter. |No instructions for clients had been left at the desk. The owner didn’t apologise and was purely annoyed with her employee. My wife had previously asked if drinking water would be available in our room and was told it would be. However, not only was it not there, but also although there was a kettle to make tea or coffee, no cups or milk was available, and the fridge, despite being included in the Booking.com description as a minibar containing “some snacks and drinks “ was empty with a stickered note on the outside saying “Please take a look at our Honesty Bar … in the breakfast room “. There were just two black tea bags & some fruit teas.|We searched the breakfast room for the missing items so we could make a cuppa. Next morning we had to share our remaining black tea bag for a cup of tea. The usual guesthouse manual couldn’t be found that day but, | we found it the next morning hidden away in a drawer. It clearly showed in writing that the reception was only manned before visitors could check in, and therefore it was impossible “to be present at…check ins”. |Katya returned next morning to set up the breakfast on the first floor but, then returned to the reception on the ground floor. When we went for breakfast at 9am, both coffee and milk jugs were empty. I had to go to Reception where Katya was dealing with a client. Food was also running out upstairs. Katya made no effort to apologise for our problem the previous day.|The following morning reception and breakfast arrangements were in the hands of a friendly but, harassed, 21 year old student. Again the coffee jug was empty at 9am, and when I visited Reception, he was dealing with a client paying her account. He came upstairs to replenish the coffee machine but, it then refused to stop pouring coffee . He was also expected to offer to cook eggs as well.|He explained to us it was very difficult on a day when all the clients were checking out and he was on his own.|It seemed to us, that despite 3 chambermaids starting work at 10am, the owners were minimising staff to save expenditure. If one of the ladies was paid to start at 8am to do the breakfasts, the receptionist could start a little later, take maybe a 2 hour lunch break, and then be on hand for Check-ins between 3 and 6pm. Visitors coming in later would reasonably be expected to use a code for access. Is that so unreasonably...

I'm giving my honest feedback here right after my stay. I definitely don't recommend anyone to stay here.

The check in time was 3pm but the only staff in the premise would be off if you arrived from 2:55PM as we did. No one would be here to give you any service, details or recommendations. You only can get the key from the front desk as you arrive. This place is like an B&B. On the first night, a lost couple came to our room because they didn't know which room was theirs.

Stayed in the room on the ground floor called "perfection". We ain't able to sleep from 6:45am because you would hear people non stop walking around from the above which was a breakfast room. The sound was so loud every day as if like someone intentionally using fast and heavy footsteps stomping right above us from the ceiling, these noises presist relentlessly throughout the early morning. We were forced to be waken up early in the mornings.

Wifi is weak and unstable. We told the receptionist the very next morning, and she said she would look into it and be fixed. By the time we came back after 3pm, nothing changed, and she was gone again.

The only staff at front desk was quite mean to us. We were only the non-caucasian guests during the stay. Maybe that was the reason she never smile since the second we met, as if we did something wrong even before we arrive. Obviously, we were treated and greeted differently comparing to other guests. Whereas all the guests we met during our stay greeted us with warmest smiles which were the only way we felt welcomed here. But we didn't intend to write about that until the moment of checkout - She tried to refuse our €50 note for the city taxes because she didn't want to change out her €20 notes to us. Then we suggested to pay card instead and she said "No!" and went on said" Do you remember I didn't have the change for your €50 when you checked in." but in fact she did have the €20 notes change. I didn't know how could a hotel business reject both cards and cash. (not to mentiom she had change but just gave us a hard feelings) Why don't the hotel just set this rule to tell the guest before checking in that no change for city taxes. Even small shop outside accept 50 euro note for 10 euro purchase.

We made the mistake choosing here. Now we have switched to Cocorico Luxury guest house and the room was much bigger with just a small price difference. Most importantly, it was the first impression. it was so nice from the moment we stepped in and we were well received and welcomed by their staff who always stands. There are much much better options out there in the...

We had a wonderful stay at In Porto. It is a small guest house and the guest rooms are all individually and beautifully decorated with lovely pieces of art. There are pieces of artwork throughout the house and it is truly unique and a welcome change from the usual standard hotel lobbies.||They sraff are only at reception until 3:00 so if you arrive after this you will have to key in the code and find you own way to your room. We booked a room that was called Intuition on the second floor as the stairs are fairly steep. The room is well equipped with all the necessities but counter space is very sparse in the washroom. The beds are very comfortable and although the inn is on a main street it is very quiet in the evening. Housekeeping was very good and the linens, pillows and towels are of good quality.||There is a laundromat just up the street so we were able to get our laundry done. There are also many restaurants nearby.||The service staff are very helpful. Katya was the server when we arrived and she was very helpful. When we left there was a gentleman on duty and when we asked him to call a taxi for us he asked where we were going and when we told him we were going to the dock to board a river cruise he offered to ask a friend of his to take us to the airport at a fraction of the cost. He and his friend loaded our baggage in the car and we were taken to the dock. ||This is a great guest house in a nice location. Prices are fair. The rooms are lovely and have so much character. Breakfast is good and service is friendly and accommodating. It’s a great place to stay. ||We found a very good Churrasquiera called Pedro’s Frangoes just down the street. It’s very good food...