From the outside, the four-floor Eurostars Oporto has a funky geometric design that's a nice clue as to what guests can expect from this reliably modern chain. Inside, trendy elements like plum-color walls, velvety gray couches, and globe lights punch up the style, and make for a sharp welcome to what is -- at core -- a simple place to bed down for the night. Though many of the guests are leisure travelers, the hotel has a business-like feel. Just off the entrance there's a lobby bar with decor matching the front desk area -- globe lights and velvety chairs -- making for little unique ambience from one space to the next. The breakfast room is bright and clean, with brown and taupe walls and large windows creating a light-filled dining area where guests gather for the breakfast buffet. There isn’t any outdoor space to speak of, the parking lot wraps around a corner of the hotel and underneath into the garage, while the nearby large electric tower makes for some unattractive views. For those looking for bargain rates within striking distance of Porto's major sights (but willing to commute to reach them), this is a fine choice, and the hotel mostly sees couples and business guests.

Located in the residential Asprela area near a hospital and university, Eurostars Oporto is a 15-minute drive from the airport. There is a grocery store and a few restaurants and cafes nearby, including a McDonald’s (three-minute walk) and a pizzeria (two-minute walk), but it's not the most charming area of town and feels distinctly suburban. Additionally, the main historic sights of Porto are not within walking distance. The Hospital Sao Joao Metro station is a three-minute walk from the hotel, and the cafes and cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Ribeira district can be reached within a 30-minute ride on public transportation (keep in mind that the metro doesn't run around the clock, though). For soccer fanatics, it’s a 10-minute drive to the Estadio do Dragao, the second-largest soccer stadium in Portugal. Attractions like Clerigos Tower, Infante D. Henrique Square, Bolsa Palace, and Monument Church of St. Francis can all be reached in around a 35- to 45-minute ride on the metro, or around a 20-minute drive.

The 64 rooms at Eurostars Oporto are chic and fresh, with walnut wood-laminate floors, colorful polka dot bed runners, and accent walls covered in trendy wallpaper. Dark wood accents, and a blend of bright jewel tones and earth colors gives them a sophisticated polish. At around 430 square feet (40 square meters), entry-level rooms are quite spacious, and Triple Rooms are available with additional beds. Modern furnishings include leather headboards and desks with chairs upholstered with coordinating fabrics to match the bedding. 

All rooms have kitchenettes with gray cabinets and bright, vivid backsplashes. Kitchenettes include electric kettles, microwaves, electric cooktops, sinks, and minibars stocked with sodas, water, and beer. Limited pots and pans are available, but a daily dishwashing fee is enforced for guests who want to use them. Rooms also include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have earthy appeal, with stone tile walls and matching flooring plus high-tech walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combinations. Generous amenity kits include combs, tissues, and shower caps. Rooms with balconies or terraces are available, but room views are uninspiring, especially those facing the nearby electric tower. 

Despite its location outside of the city center, there aren't a ton of extra features at this hotel. For a fee, Eurostars Oporto offers a breakfast buffet including cold cuts, cheeses, and pastries, but the buffet experience earns mixed reviews as some guests find dishes aren’t refilled sufficiently. There’s a lobby bar where guests can order drinks and food, and local cuisine like Porto-style tripe and caldo verde soup is available from the hotel upon request. In-room spa services can also be arranged. Over 4,000 square feet (372 square meters) of meeting space is available that can be divided into six meeting rooms, the largest holding 120 guests. There’s a business center in the lobby with two computers and a printer, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Outdoor and indoor parking is offered for a fee. Vehicle rentals and airport transfers can also be arranged for a fee.