Hotel Infante Sagres

Are you looking for an excellent hotel choice when visiting the UNESCO heritage town of Porto? Then look no further than the historic Hotel Infante Sagres which is a total gem located right in the middle of the historic old town.

Listed by the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, who only showcase unique, independent properties, Hotel Infante Sagres resembles a 19th century manor house with all the character and charm you might expect. It’s the perfect setting for a trip to remember.

An excellent location in Porto’s beautiful old town, one of Europe’s oldest centres

Awarded UNESCO heritage status in 1996, Porto’s historic town is one of Europe’s oldest centres and it’s sure to steal your heart in seconds. It was founded by the Romans and occupies a spectacular location overlooking the River Douro. You can see beautiful tiled facades, ornate baroque churches or just wander amongst the old houses that line the steep narrow streets, stopping at one of the many shops, cafes and restaurants along the way. Head down to the ancient Ribeira district (the oldest district in the city) to soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying the views of the Douro River and the iconic Dom Luis I Bridge. Hotel Infante Sagres is located within a stones throw of all the wonderful sites the city has to offer.

A historic hotel built by one of Porto’s most prominent families

Hotel Infant Sagres was built by a prominent Portuguese Family in the 1950’s but you will be excused for thinking it’s history dates back further than this as you wander about the hotel with its beautiful antiques, classic art and spiral staircases.

A grand stained glass window made up of 225 panels, an original feature of the hotel since it was built, creates a captivating feature. The historic Clérigos Tower, a focal point of life in Porto for more than 250 years, can be seen towering above the rooftops of neighbouring buildings.

Comfortable and well appointed rooms

The hotel is due to undergo a refurbishment starting in November 2017, a project which should be completed in April 2018 and will no doubt welcome another chapter of this iconic hotel. We were lucky to see some of the completed rooms, they are modern and light yet retain the character of the hotel making them wonderfully comfortable places to stay.

All suites contain original antique furniture, ornaments and Portuguese art and each offers a different and unique experience. Feel like you are in a real life photoshoot as you relax in your room with its opulent decor.

Friendly and personal service

Having staff who make you feel at home and care about offering a personalised service is often the key to success for vegan travellers and this is certainly the case in this hotel. Service is warm and friendly and there were several moments where people seemed to go above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. Top marks from us…

The Vegan Food

Vegans will be well looked after at Hotel Infante Sagres with clearly labelled dishes in the hotel’s ‘Book Restaurant’ (situated in an adjacent former bookshop) and the room service menu; you can also find a well respected vegetarian and vegan restaurant in very close proximity. But it was the fully vegan breakfast that we enjoyed that makes us give this hotel our vegan seal of approval.

Tasty vegan breakfast

The upscale surroundings of the dining room certainly match the quality of the food. Breakfast in style surrounded by chandeliers and antiques, soak up the mellow, sophisticated atmosphere and begin your day with ease.

The vegan food was a real surprise with creamy vegan yoghurt and berry filled smoothies, healthy fresh juices, delicious seasonal fruit,  freshly brewed coffee and a bread basket of different breads to start. A selection of homemade jams including pineapple, red fruits, strawberry and pumpkin added a sweet and fruity element.

Then followed a real delight; a sesame crusted seitan loaf and a vegan pancake (accompanied by beans, fried mushrooms and a continental style veggie salad slaw). It was such a wonderful surprise that the chef had gone out of is was to cook something specifically vegan that used more unusual ingredients. It was also really tasty and a very satisfying start to the day; the perfect preparation for exploring Porto.

The Vegan Essentials

Non-feather pillows were already on the bed so no changes had to be made for us as vegan guests; amenities were the hotel’s own brand and so we were unable to tell whether they were vegan or not.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Check-in to Hotel Infante Sagres for a luxurious, unique city break in Porto’s historic old town. Enjoy excellent, smooth and friendly service as well as creative, delicious vegan food to start your day.

We were guests of Hotel Infante Sagres but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views

Hotel Infante Sagres
Praca Dona Filipa de Lencastre 62
Porto 4050-259
Portugal

Telephone: +351 223 398 500
Email: reservations@hotelinfantesagres.pt
Cost From: £160 / $210 per night (August 2017)