Maison Albar - Le Monumental Palace, Porto

Pros

• You won't find a more central location to explore Porto, with the city's main artery of Avenida dos Aliados on your doorstep and Ribeira and the riverfront within an easy stroll.
• The hotel is housed in a historic Art Deco palace that dates to 1923, and the recent refurbishment skillfully integrates plentiful original details with 21st-century luxury.
• An on-site spa offers opulent wellness treatments, plus a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.
• The spacious rooms and suites echo the building's Art Deco pedigree, with high ceilings, bespoke furniture, and gleaming marble bathrooms.
• You can take your pick of dining options, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, a creative Japanese/Brazilian fusion joint, and a swanky cocktail bar.

Cons

• Past guests have noted that the efficacy of the air-conditioning doesn't always meet the hotel's 5-star standards in summer.
• The on-site parking has an additional daily fee.

Authenticity

Le Monumental Palace is a stunning example of Portuguese Art Deco elegance, carefully restored by the esteemed French hoteliers Maison Albar. Housed in a historic palace designed by Italian architect Michelangelo Soá in 1923,  the luminous interiors retain original elements like gleaming marble, curved iron, and soaring ceilings, while bespoke wallpapers and vintage black-and-white photographs evoke the glamour of a bygone era. The attention to detail extends to the Michelin-starred restaurant, where a high-concept menu takes you on a step-by-step journey through the regions of Portugal.

Location

The hotel is situated along the Avenida dos Aliados, a central avenue home to the city's neoclassical Town Hall, designer shops, and historic cafés. You'll be within easy walking distance of most of the city's landmarks, with the Torre dos Clérigos, the São Bento station, Mercado do Bolhão, and the Livraria Lello bookstore reachable with a 6-minute stroll. A 10-minute walk takes you south into medieval Ribeira and the riverfront. Excellent transport links like the Aliados metro station are on your doorstep, and it's an easy 20-minute drive to the airport. Parking is available on-site (including EV stations) at an added cost. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 70+ rooms and suites feature a sumptuous palette of dark teals and burnished golds, with Art Deco details like lacquered wood, buttery leather headboards, and plush fan-patterned carpets. The spacious marble bathrooms include large rain-style showerheads, double sinks, and Nuxe toiletries. Superior and Deluxe rooms face the light-filled courtyard, while the larger Executive rooms add floor-to-ceiling windows and views over the city. For the ultimate luxury, choose from the upper-story suites, where you'll find living rooms, multiple balconies, and deep soaking tubs. 

Amenities

The hotel features three dining options, but its crown jewel is the Michelin-starred La Monument, where a set menu showcases regional Portuguese flavors and produce. A fusion of Japanese and Brazilian flavors collide at Yakuza Porto by Oliver, and breakfast and brunch are served in La Mezzanine, a stylish space above the lobby. Slide into a velvet banquette for predinner cocktails at Bar Américain, or grab a cozy corner in the softly-lit library for a quiet escape. When you're ready for some relaxation, the Grand Bleu Spa beckons with a heated indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, plus a full menu of luxury treatments. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at Le Monumental Palace, and the 5-star service extends to even the littlest guests. You'll have your choice of adjoining rooms and suites to accommodate groups of all sizes, and there are special children's options at all the on-site restaurants—from Nutella pancakes and fresh fruit juices at La Mezzanine to a mini version of the regional Portuguese tasting menu at Le Monumental—all specially crafted to appeal to younger taste buds. There's even a special menu of spa treatments for "superheroes" and "princesses," though children under 16 are only allowed in the pool during morning hours.