Torel Avantgarde

"Wonderful 5-Day Stay in Porto at Torel Avantgarde We had a wonderful five-day stay in Porto, staying at Torel Avantgarde. The hotel is in an excellent location, slightly away from the busy city centre, yet only a 10-15 minute walk from Porto’s main attractions. Overall • Great location, away from the noise and crowds of the city centre. • Only a 10-minute walk to the Torre dos Clérigos, with easy access to Porto’s main attractions from there. • Within walking distance of the Douro River, the boat cruises, and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. • Easy access to all the key areas of Porto. • Be prepared for the city's many steep hills and uphill walks. • Trams, e-bikes, and scooters are readily available. • Uber and Bolt are affordable and reliable. • It's often easier and cheaper to take an Uber or Bolt to and from the airport, with fares typically up to €17 and journey times of around 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Hotel Amenities Torel Avantgarde is a boutique hotel spread across two neighbouring buildings, offering around 60 uniquely styled rooms. Highlights include: • A warm, welcoming, art-inspired reception area with a complimentary welcome drink. • Smooth and efficient check-in process. • Exceptionally friendly and professional staff. • Our first interaction was with Marta, the Assistant Director, who was outstanding. She was attentive, approachable, and genuinely focused on ensuring we had a great stay. Spa & Wellness: The spa spans both buildings and includes: • Sauna • Steam room • Modern gym • Indoor pool (small but very pleasant) The spa staff were equally welcoming and helpful. Breakfast & Dining: Breakfast was excellent. • Buffet-style service with eggs cooked to order. • Although made-to-order dishes could occasionally take a little time, everything was freshly prepared and delicious. • Wide selection of cheeses, yoghurts, pastries, breads, and fresh honey served directly from the honeycomb. • Good range of hot breakfast items. • Excellent selection of hot drinks, including hot chocolate. • Fresh juices available daily. • Attentive staff who regularly brought fresh pots of hot water for tea. We didn't dine in the restaurant for dinner, but the bar was well-stocked, and every drink we tried was excellent. Rooms: Our room was spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped. The only downside was that check-in was at 3pm – but this was balanced with a late checkout. Positives: • Large, comfortable bed. • Effective air conditioning and heating. • Choice of soft or firm pillows. • Complimentary coffee machine with pods (although milk was not provided). • Mirror TV with a reasonable range of channels. • In-room safe. • Good wardrobe space. • Hairdryer with nozzle attachment • The lighting was good too • Convenient power sockets on both sides of the bed. Bathroom: The bathroom was the only area that felt slightly compromised. The shower design made entry and movement somewhat restricted. We were small framed people, but I can see this being challenging for taller and more built guests. However: • Water temperature and pressure were excellent. • Quality toiletries were provided, including shampoo, hair mask, and shower oil (not gel) Room layouts vary considerably, with some offering larger bathrooms, double sinks, and bathtubs. Regardless of room category, the bedroom itself was very comfortable. Additional Facilities: • Complimentary fruit-infused water was available throughout the lobby and various areas of the hotel. • Outdoor swimming pool with comfortable sun loungers and towels provided. • The pool was a little too cold for my liking, but others may enjoy it. • Spectacular views overlooking the river, bridge, and surrounding cityscape. Exceptional Staff Recognition: A special thank you goes to Marta, the Assistant Director. She consistently went above and beyond throughout our stay, taking the time to speak with us, recommend restaurants, suggest sunset viewpoints, and ensure we were enjoying Porto. Her warmth and professionalism made a lasting impression. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful team members who helped make our stay so enjoyable. The friendliness, kindness, and level of service we received were genuinely exceptional. Front Desk • Cleiton Ribeiro • Diogo Ribeiro • Hugo Rocha • Rui Pimenta • Angela Nascimento • Hugo Silva • David Neves • Torcato Rocha • Marcelo Mendes • Armanda Bar • Maurício • André Restaurant • Maurício • Carol • Ruben • Andrea • Junior A special mention also goes to Hrosalin and Freida (apologies if I've misspelled your names). Your warmth and friendliness each morning always put a smile on our faces and made breakfast that little bit more enjoyable. Final Thoughts: We thoroughly enjoyed our five days at Torel Avantgarde and our time exploring Porto. The combination of excellent service, comfortable accommodation, fantastic views, and a convenient location made for a memorable stay. The lovely weather, ranging between 23°C and 26°C, was an added bonus. I would happily recommend both Torel Avantgarde and Porto to anyone considering a city break in Portugal. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Message if you are interested in the sights we saw and good spots for sunsets, etc."

"The Torel is a special place, partially because it truly is a beautiful, well appointed hotel, but also because of how special they make you feel while staying there. We will definitely be back"

"Wonderful boutique hotel. Close to everything with wonderful views of the river. Staff were very helpful and pleasant from front desk to waiters and servers."