Porto's oldest hotel was opened in 1877, a couple of steps away from the Avenida dos Aliados. Early guests in what was for years a French-owned establishment included the great novelist José Maria Eça de Queirós and the artist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. The decor in the rooms is a bit fusty, but we still consider this is a good budget option as it’s right in the  city center, which oozes old world charm. A real treat is the magnificent Belle Epoque salon where an equally impressive breakfast is served, including the likes of "English-style bacon" and Porto's cinnamon and porto-wine infused French toast. In summer, breakfast is served under striped awnings in the garden, an unexpected haven of tranquility in the heart of the city. There's a small museum featuring old telephones, gramophones and newspaper clippings from the hotel's golden days.