My First Hostel Experience: A Room With A View Overlooking Porto, Portugalfeatured

by Shannon Jones on February 6, 2024

When I began researching hotels to stay in Porto, I didn’t imagine that I would end up at a hostel across the river. But I’m so glad I did, and if I go back to the area, I’d stay there again.

Somehow, I made it into my 60s without ever staying in a hostel. Dorm living with bunk beds and shared bathrooms didn’t appeal to me when I was younger, and it still doesn’t. I like a comfortable room, preferably with a view, a seating area, and a nice private en suite bathroom.

The House of Sandeman Hostel and Suites delivers on all of those requirements and then some. It sits right on the water in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro River from Porto. I wasn’t initially sure I wanted to be in Gaia, but it turns out that it’s the perfect location for a few reasons. First, Gaia, as it’s sometimes called for short, provides an amazing view of Porto’s iconic riverfront and you’re just a short walk across the bridge. Second, all the port houses are on the Gaia side. And third, Gaia seemed a little less crowded than Porto itself.

Nestled right on the river, the House of Sandeman offers a fabulous location that’s convenient to everything that both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia have to offer, including plentiful restaurants and bars.

Housed in the former offices of the venerable port wine brand, The House of Sandeman, I was very pleased with the historic ambience of our accommodation, along with the modern conveniences provided like free wifi and air conditioning. An extensive breakfast included baked goods, fruit, yogurt and eggs cooked to order. We were able to order breakfast from the room before heading to the communal dining room and lounge. Our stay included welcome drinks, which were excellent, and we indulged in additional cocktails on the patio a couple times as well.

To be sure, there are dorm style rooms at Sandeman, but our room was anything but that. Take a look at the view, which honestly looked just like a painting.

There was a dinner option at House of Sandeman as well while we were there, which was very inexpensive, but we didn’t try it. The communal areas were comfortable, everything was spotlessly clean and all the staff we encountered were really friendly and helpful. All in all, I would highly recommend this as an option to stay. I had considered booking a hotel closer to the Dom Luis I Bridge, but the rooms were considerably more expensive and smaller. Our room included everything we would have gotten at the more expensive hotel with the exception of an elevator. And with all the food and port we indulged in, we probably needed those extra steps anyway.