Rosa Et Al Townhouse

Rooms

The seven rooms are large and airy, with a sprinkling of period features - perhaps an elegant black fireplace, a tiled nook or an arched doorway. But what really sets them apart is the sleek mid-century furniture, much of it by iconic designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Jean Prouvé and Hans Wegner. It’s offset beautifully by contemporary lighting, pale wooden floors and colourful throws handmade by Patrícia, who teaches crochet and quilting in her spare time.

Size and bed type vary, but most rooms have clawfoot tubs with overhead showers, and all have a few little luxuries (Castelbel Porto toiletries, robes and slippers, a welcome bottle of wine). Those to the rear of the main house come with garden-facing balconies; we were lucky enough to stay in one of these - the King Grand Deluxe Garden, which sits under a tangle of top-floor rafters - and loved lingering in the evening sunshine with an aperitif. Down below, the Garden Pavilion waits on the lawn. This is a more modern creation with a Japanese Zen feel. We loved the bathroom with its walk-in double shower and glass door leading to the little private garden.

The Queen Deluxe City rooms at the front overlook the street, but it’s not particularly busy. Note that Club (the smallest room) has no wall enclosing its ensuite; instead, the bath and loo are hidden behind tall travel trunks that double as shelving.

For those wanting to stay in an apartment in the heart of the historic city centre, book the Loft near Praça da Batalha. This cool contemporary 1-bedroom space has wood accents, elegant designer furniture, a rain shower bathroom, a double sofabed and a full kitchen. The bedroom is separated from the living area by a glass wall.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Delicious brunchy dishes are available almost all day (from 8.30 to 5ish), cooked in the small kitchen and served in the relaxed dining room. Sit back with a coffee and choose from a selection of tempting options - homemade granola and yoghurt, eggs done numerous ways, honey-glazed croissants with seasonal jam, salmon and avocado on toast. On weekends and public holidays it’s opened up to outside guests for a ‘Special Brunch’, which might include pancakes, chorizo frittatas and sticky tartines, among other international and regional brunch classics.

From time to time they also run a Secret Supper Club - a multi-course private dinner served in the townhouse (or occasionally a neighbouring venue). If you overlap with one of these, grab the chance: ours was a highlight. The feast started with port and red-berry cocktails on the sofa, before we moved to a candlelit table for the main event: grilled tiger prawns with fennel and nuts, bacalhau rolled in spices, and a gooey chocolate fondant with mint-infused strawberries - all lip-smackingly good and paired with excellent Portuguese wines.

You can also help yourself to a tipple from the honesty bar, order an afternoon treat from a menu of home-baked cakes and scones, or make a brew from the vast selection of teas (Patrícia is something of a tea aficionado). And when it comes to eating out, Porto has all manner of restaurants to choose from; staff know all the best places, so just ask.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Honesty bar
• Organic produce
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• The local area brims with boho boutiques and arty temptations. If shopper’s shoulder strikes, treat yourself to an in-room massage on your return
  
• Stroll down to the UNESCO-listed Old Town, Ribeira, and get pleasantly lost among its vertiginous streets and sun-dappled squares
  
• Cross the river along the soaring Ponte Dom Luís and sample the wares in the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia; almost all offer tours and tastings
  
• Explore the charmingly dilapidated Mercado do Bolhão, which has barely changed since 1914. You'll find dangling pigs’ hooves, goose-neck barnacles, seasonal fruit and live roosters
  
• Marvel at the spiralling staircases and curved panelling inside Lello, one of the world’s most ornate bookshops, which sits in the sedate university quarter
  
• Board the rickety old tram and clatter out to the beach at Foz do Douro, where you can sip cocktails and watch the sun sink into the Atlantic
  
• Visit Porto’s bold, contemporary icons, including Alvaro Siza Vieira's Museu de Arte Contemporânea (whose gardens are worth the visit alone), and the edgy Casa da Música by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas
  
• Sign up for one of the hotel’s informal cookery workshops, or ask staff about tailored art, architecture and food tours

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Well being
• Wine tasting

Kids

This is more of a place for romantics, but kids of all ages will find a real welcome, too.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Grand Deluxe Garden I room and Garden Pavilion can each take an extra bed, and baby cots for children under two are available in all rooms.

Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 17km
• Shops: 0.1km
• Hospital: 2km

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Rosa Et Al Townhouse is on Rua do Rosário (a 15-minute walk from the waterfront), in the hip quarter of Porto, northern Portugal.

By Air:
Porto airport (17km) is well connected to the rest of Europe. Lisbon Portela (307km) is three hours away by car or train and is the main hub for flights from further afield.

The hotel can arrange a transfer from Porto airport, or you can get the metro - it's a 40-minute journey to Trindade station, then a five-minute walk to Rua do Rosário.

Other Options:
Trains from elsewhere in Portugal arrive at São Bento station, which is a short walk or taxi ride from the hotel.

You won't need a car if you're planning to spend your days within the city, but if you want to hire one to explore the wider area then see our car rental recommendations. There is a car park nearby, but you'll need to reserve a space ahead of arrival and there's a steep nightly charge.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.