“Central Porto. A boutique with individually designed rooms, each themed around a different art movement. Pool, garden, and a location between Aliados and the river. More personality than the big chain hotels and priced in the same range.”

“Rua de Sá da Bandeira, city center. Converted from a historic building, with spice-themed floors and a position near Porto Cathedral and Ribeira Square. 89 rooms. Pestana does heritage conversions well in Portugal, and this one is a good example.”

“Terreiro do Paço, directly on the main square. A Small Luxury Hotel conversion of a government building facing the Tagus River. The address alone makes the case. Walking distance to everything in the Baixa and Alfama.”

“Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro from Porto's old town. A wine hotel with 109 rooms, two Michelin-starred restaurants, a wine spa, and panoramic views of the Ribeira waterfront. Each room is sponsored by a different Portuguese winery. If you're coming to Porto for the port, this is where you stay.”

“Rua Sá da Bandeira, central Porto. Built into a former theater. Mid-range pricing, a restaurant, and a central location near Bolhão Market and the Aliados avenue. The practical option that still has something to say about its building.”

“Avenida da Liberdade. An eco-certified boutique on Lisbon's main avenue. Good breakfast, a central location, and sustainability credentials that go beyond a sign in the lobby. Mid-range pricing for a premium address.”

“Príncipe Real. A hostel-hotel hybrid in a 19th-century building in Lisbon's trendiest neighborhood. Private rooms and dorms, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar. Budget pricing in the neighborhood where Lisbon's best restaurants and shops are concentrated.”

“Baixa-Chiado. A wine-themed boutique in a converted 18th-century palace. Each room paired with a Portuguese wine region. If you're interested in Portuguese wine beyond what you'll find in Porto, this is the Lisbon counterpart.”

“Near Clérigos Tower. Named for the year the original business on the site was founded. A mid-range hotel with period details and a location that puts you walking distance from most of what you'll want to see. Straightforward and well-positioned.”

“Near Rossio Square. A boutique with a pool, gardens, and two restaurants. The Torel group does this well in both Lisbon and Porto, and the hillside position gives you city views that most Lisbon hotels can't match.”