Pensão Cristal

The Pensão Cristal is a nice little hotel, conveniently close to the city center of Porto. The Praça da Uberdade with subway stops São Bento and Aliados is only 10 minutes away on foot.

The reception is extremely friendly and helpfull. There are 29 rooms, which are a bit small, but clean and practical. There is an elevator, but it is extremely slow, and sometimes it's easier to just take the stairs.

Breakfast is served in a small room on the 2nd floor, which doesn't have too many tables, but you are welcome to take your breakfast to your room if you wish.

Breakfast consists of a large glass of orange juice, coffee or tea, 2 little bread rolls and a saffron croissant, which is extremely yummy. There's cream cheese and 2 kinds of jam on your table, but the bread is so delicious, you'll just want to butter it and eat it like that.

During our stay, there was a lot of noise in the street because of some festivities, which unfortunately were continued down the hallway at about 4am. These things happen and I as yet have to stay in a hotel that is completely sound-proof. It is therefor pointless to consider this a downside of the hotel.

So, what's the verdict? Well, Pensão Cristal has a great location at a cheap rate and an over-friendly staff. I recommend it.