I would not think of stopping anywhere but the Pescara on a future visit to Porto. Superb location on the river and in the middle of all the action. To get to the main shopping area, simply take the funicular whose entrance is directly opposite the nearest bridge and the pedestrianed area is less than 5 minutes walk away.
There is a big difference in the rooms on offer. We booked 2 separate stays, which were 2 days apart on the pescara website. Each was a superior double room with river view, but the first was quite small. When I checked out I asked if I could have a corner room when I returned in two days, and this was granted -the room was twice the size and had spectacular views on two sides and an enormous bathroom. When booking pay extra for superior riverside room, but specify corner room.

The hotel is very nice - would be a high average/low exceptional rating any place else. Get a river view. The other side of hotel overlooks "not much of anything".

But...The views. The views. I felt as though I were in a 1950s movie like "to catch a thief".

Since the riverfront, particularly at the Ribeira and Vila Nove de Gaia, lie at the heart of any visit to Porto, this little hotel is perfectly situated for a tourist, particularly one who likes to walk to the sites, as I do.

My "city view" room faced a building across a narrow alley. I expected this since I had not paid for a view room, just the location. Judging from the position of the hotel's windows, the view rooms would offer a fantastic view of the river, the plaza, and the port cellars on the opposite bank. Nevertheless, my room was quiet, large, bright, modern, and well-appointed. The bathroom was palatial. The air conditioning was quiet and I could supplement it by opening the large double-door/windows.

Service was excellent in all regards. All staff spoke serviceable English, should you need it. I was able to book a boat trip to Regua through the front desk and have the fare billed to my room. The breakfast provided was excellent and the view delightful. The lounge and lobby extended to the second floor where several private niches offered a quiet space with a view. For the price, all this was good value.

But I stayed here for the location. Stepping out the door, I found myself right on the river Douro, in the heart of the old city, facing the Ribeira -- the riverside promenade of cafes, restaurants, and tourist shops. Boat tours and taxis were a step away and I found the bus and tram to the beach at Foz passed only two blocks away. In five minutes walk, I got to the famous bridge on which I could cross the lower level to Vila Nove de Gaia, the location of the famous port cellars. In just 20 minutes of walking I was in among the alleys touring and tasting at several of the over 15 cellars on that side of the river. From here, the larger tour boats for day trips up the Douro.

On the negative side, the area immediately around the hotel was very busy with sight-seers, drinkers, touts, and hustlers. In search of quieter streets, I found the steep, narrow alleys behind the hotel a little rough and unwelcoming. Walking there at night seemed out of the question. (You can bypass some of this by taking a cable car (which is part of the transit system) to the top of the slope -- look for the terminus just north of the bridge.) When, late at night, the Ribeira got chaotic and noisy, I was able to sit in the relative safety of the hotel's own Heritage Café sidewalk tables and watch the action. In fact, on a Sunday night, the hotel had a security guard posted at the entrance.

The riverfront was better. I was able to walk all the way to Foz on the Atlantic coast along a varied and interesting promenade of walls, old wharfs, old neigbhourhoods, and modern cafes. The Port Wine Museum, about halfway, was worth a visit. Just follow the tram line. At the mouth of the river, there is an small, old ferry boat for locals that crosses to the fishing village at Alfureda (fare is 0.65 Euro). From there, the walk up river to Vila Nove de Gaia is easy on a new boardwalk, then back over the bridge to the hotel. To my relief, coffee and a sandwich at the hotel café was a reasonable price.

Looking at all the other positive comments, there isn't much I can add except to say I agree wholeheartedly. The hotel is exactly where you want to be, the staff was incredible, and you leave wishing that you had "just one more night". I am sure there are several other fine and perhaps more luxurious hotels elsewhere, but none with this location. For the tourist (but not necessarily a businessperson), this is THE place to stay.