Centrally located on Rua Santa Catarina, the pedestrianized shopping street, the GHP is a Porto institution. Opened in 1880, the hotel has played host to royalty, aristocracy and artists over the decades. You may recognize it when you walk in: its Victorian interiors were used as a backdrop in movies by the acclaimed Porto-born director Manoel de Oliveira. Throughout the GHP is warm and welcoming, with dark chintz wall coverings, hardwood paneling, velvet furnishing, gilt-framed landscape paintings. Rooms are a pleasing mix of period and modern, including works by contemporary Portuguese artists and photographers. The onsite restaurant, named after one-time guest Emperor Pedro II of Brazil, is renowned for its Sunday brunch. There is also a small gym and wellness room, offering a selection of massages. The only disappointment? Some of the standard rooms are on the small side.