Pensão Favorita

The concept of the charming and small b&b, Pensão Favorita is inspired by the Porto lifestyle, the "re-lecture" of "the favourite" myth, joined with the practicality of the contemporary design. The room's location offers its guests the possibility to discover the historical side as well as enjoy the underground culture of the city. Confronting nostalgia, and nature with modernity, the place is a comfortable mixture of signs that keeps your eyes and your mind alert to the beautiful and discrete attentions that have been designed for the residents.

The iconic name "Favorita" is a reference to the chosen woman, usually personalizing both romantic and political intelligence and influence, that had the favours of the King or emperor and that he secretly encountered. In reference to the Marquise de Pompadour or Mariana Alcoforado, this hotel is the place for special moments, perfect week-ends or relaxing longer stays, while it will propose to the guests to discover cultural references thanks to subtle and historical details placed in unusual ways, from the 'Caldas da Rainha' wall installation in the entrance. This old house becomes a symbol of modern living through the design intervention.

Located in the gallery street of Porto, the hotel is in the heart of the cultural life of the city and participates to it with the monthly opening night events that occur, and with mounting exhibitions in the public areas of the building. Leisure is also obviously part of the concept with modular ways of living in the hotel. The lounging space is a mixture of old and contemporary furniture, that permits you to share a moment or isolate yourself in a corner to read a book or try some Portuguese products displayed in the glass library. All of the rooms of the Favorita have their private bathroom, dressing room and writing table:

-Double/Twin rooms are ideal for a luminous pause between your discovery walks around Porto, the north of Portugal's capital.

-Suites are "evolving rooms" considering the needs of their guests, as they can be reserved by one, two, three or four persons. A longer stay is imaginable thanks to the kitchen corner and the large table as the centre-heart of the adjacent room space. 

-Sotão is an under-roof room, welcoming a maximum of three persons, to enjoy a special chilled-out experience in an unconventional space over-viewing the garden.

In the garden, guests can enjoy sunbathing while eating on the terrace of the restaurant. The hotel restaurant is offering various recipes of modern cooking, all with fresh market products, to savour while delighting in the Serge Against Bourg drawings, emphasising the walls of the peaceful environment. Besides the classical well know local brands for products, traditionally brewed beers are proposed, also, the wine selection includes some of the best Douro producers.

The hotel is composed of 7 rooms in the house and 5 more rooms in the garden, a restaurant adjacent to the garden and lounging space. Mixing modern furniture and vintage pieces, Favorita is not one more design hotel, but a house where everybody will find himself warmly welcomed, thanks to special details in the selection of objects and references. The space has been designed to offer great surfaces, as well in terms of public spaces than in the organization of the rooms and the bathrooms. The spirit of this old Portuguese house remains and finds a second life thanks to the contemporary approach that proposes an easy and comfortable lifestyle.

A Favorita is located in Porto, the Portugal capital of the north, internationally recognised for Douro's riverbank, wines and special cookery. In the historical centre, between the Park of Palacio de Crystal -where you will find the Porto wine-tasting house- and the Decorative Arts Museum -Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis-. In Rua Miguel Bombarda #267, the city's street where most of the galleries are located and organize all together a common opening week-end, starting every first Friday of the month. Who: Ema Xavier and Filipe Maia, owner Nuno Sottomayor, architect Sam Baron, designer Isabel Abreu, designer.