The Yeatman Hotel, Porto - mini-review
Introduction Stayed at the Yeatman Hotel for one night only following our visit to the Douro Valley. Check In Very efficient and professional, quickly checked us in and showed us to our room. Room The bathroom has a pass through window with shutters - so presumably you can see the view from the tub. The shutters don't really close very well and seem very dated - not to mentioning flooding the room with light when the bathroom light is turned on at night. The bathroom has a large single vanity and a separate soaking tub and shower with pretty portugese tiles. The rooms are sort of dated, the style is definitely not modern, but neither is it classic. Just very middle of the road. The daffodil yellow walls are very bright. The bedding is quite nice with simple white duvets. There is a small arm chair and writing desk as well as a large built in bookcase unit and flat screen tv.We stayed in a superior twin room, which was quite spacious and had a great terrace overlooking old Porto. The views from the room were really spectacular, despite the rainy weather. The terrace has a table and two chairs as well as a lounger for use in more favorable weather. Service Housekeeping was fine - inobtrusive and the room was very clean. Service in the bar area was attentive and professional. This is a great place to stop in for a drink as the views out over old Porto are really lovely and they have an extensive wine list. Dining The breakfast buffet which was included in our room rate was very plentiful with many hot and cold options.The hotel is home to a michelin starred restaurant where we had dinner the night of our stay. They offer a four or eight course tasting menu. We opted for the four course menu, but ended up receiving all the additional courses as bonuses. Service is attentive and the food is good, but not great on the night of our visit. Very inventive with some theatrical touches that are fun. If you have eaten at other michelin starred restaurants, I don't think you will be overwhelmed, but you will have a very nice meal. Location The hotel is located directly across the river from the old city of Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia amongst all the Port houses. If your visit to Porto will revolve around visiting the port houses to taste wine this is a perfect location, as you just have to walk out the lowest level of the hotel and you will be on the street with all the big names. If you prefer to be more in the action of the city, you might prefer to stay across the river in the heart of town. Common Areas I found the Yeatman Hotel to be in serious need of a style update. It felt a bit disjointed and out of synch to me style wise. For instance in the elevators they have walls covered with wall sized photographs of the port houses a more modern aesthetic that you might see in a hipper hotel. Yet the rest of the common areas have bright yellow walls, blue and yellow print carpeting and lots of brass railings. Given the history and location of the hotel, I think it should have a more distinct identity to its style. The views are simply stunning and anyone not staying here shoud definitely stop in for a drink to enjoy the views and the wine list. Overall Porto is an amazing little city that I really enjoyed and wished I could have spent another day here. Lots of gorgeous old architecture and charming old stores with original woodwork. However, there are not a lot of luxury hotels and therefore The Yeatman is probably the place to stay. If you do stay here, set your expectations accordingly as it not at the level of other luxury properties discussed on this site.