old, but clean, and very well situated. beautifull building.

No English Tea at breakfast time!

Great location, good breakfast and the restaurant on the ground level is great.

the hotel has had its days... moderate - no continental - breakfast! everybody could take my key from the reception - thats not safe! after check-in & fist leaving the room the staff checked the room - thats not okay!

Fab location next to the subway station. We stayed for two nights before going on to a villa for a week. It was the perfect location for us. Clean, tidy and super friendly staff who speak fluent French. The room and bathroom were clean and tidy. It's on the basic side, but we had a room with AC and secondary glazing so it was peaceful at night. We booked B&B, but weren't up in time for breakfast. Instead we popped out for a lazy brunch each day at a nearby bakery for less than 5 euro for two. Overall, great value basic place to stay in a great place in a great city!

Stayed here 14/4/08 for one night. Room 307. Paid 50 Euro prpn including breakfast. Called in to the hotel a few days before to book. Excellent location just off Praça da Liberdade (the main square), a few minutes walk from São Bento station, and about 15-20 minutes walk from Ribeira and the riverfront. The hotel has some character, the room was attractive and a good size, but with poor lighting. Bathroom small but clean. Our room overlooked the square, which made it very noisy with traffic (and also a political demonstration on the evening we were there!). Breakfast was a fairly basic continental buffet, with a limited selection, served in a pleasant room. Alright, but nothing exciting and not as good as most other places we stayed at in Portugal. The orange juice didn’t have much orange in it. The number of notices in the room was offputting - most hotels manage without so many instructions on what to do and not to do. There is no restaurant, but there are many places to eat nearby and in Ribeira - we especially liked O Restaurante da Alzira in Ribeira. Good value for its central location, but there are better hotels in Porto. Porto is a beautiful city and worth spending a few days in, as well as being a good base for the Douro Valley and surrounding areas.

Had to change rooms from the beginning. Room would not lock securely, could enter without key.

Beautiful place, best location, very friendly and helpful staff, wonderful place.

I only spent a night at this hotel which is good 'cos I really don't think I could have lasted a second one. Let me start with the good things which is the location. It doesn't get any closer to the center than this with very convenient transport to the airport and the train stations. Now the building looks pretty nice from the outside, although old. Unfortunatelly it is old on the inside too. Of course for the 45 or so Euros that I paid for a single room I didn't expect luxury but the furnishings are very dated (some might call them charming and traditional but still...old). The bathroom definetelly needs renovation as it looked so worn that I had to force myself to take a shower. I cannot really call it dirty but it looked very bad. But the worst part was the noise. I am the last person to complain about noise but this was unbelieveble. All night there were trams passing outside but it felt as if they were passing from inside my room! Also, the bed was very old and it made a terrible noise every time I moved. I travel alone all the time but this was the only time that I was actually too freaked out to manage any sleep! Last I need to mention the very poor breakfast which I didn't really mind myself as I am not a big breakfast eater. All in all this is really a budget hotel and you get what you pay for. Maybe even less...

This small, older residence is really well worth the modest rate--great location, large room. Their rule against washing clothes in the room must have a good reason--but they intrude and inspect your room. The laundry rates are high and unnecessary, but perhaps people have damaged the rooms with wet wash! The breakfast room is ugly and dismal, and the meager food matches this. They should be arrested just for what they offer as "orange juice." Eat out!

I've just returned from a city break in Porto, staying (as a single traveller) in this traditional 3* hotel, ideally sited in the city centre - not the same standard as UK 3*, by the way, but quite acceptable - yes, it was noisy some nights but that must be expected in the middle of a city! The hotel serves a limited continental breakfast in terms of choice - but you can help yourself to as much as you need, lovely fresh bread rolls, croissants, jams, choice of 2 cereals, tea & coffee, orange squash. It was 45 euros a night for my single, traditionally furnished en suite bedroom, clean, but seen better days. Towels were changed daily and there was a bedding change half way through the week. The staff was invariably charming, helpful and attentive with a good knowledge of local events, places to see and eat etc. The building's ground floor has the well known Guarany cafe and restaurant where you can eat lightly (a bowl of soup or an icecream) or have a full meal - at restaurant prices, of course - but the meal is accompanied by live music - piano and at the weekend, fado and cuban - very good indeed. You can still eat very cheaply by using the little cafes that the locals use - an 'economy' meal', a basic one course of meat or fish with chips or rice was only 2.90 euros in several places. The Rua Caterina has one, right at the top on the right hand side, probably the last cafe where shopping street ends. Lovely grub and good value! Beware!! Apparently the bus service from the airport to the town's hotels has been discontinued now that the Metro is running. You can catch a metro for 1.85 euros from the Aliados station, just up from the hotel, to the aiport (with one change at Trinidade). Taxis cost 20 euros for the same trip. They have introduced the old trams and a trundle around town to get your bearings is useful. The town is quite steep for the less nimble such as me . Do have a wander around the quayside, the Ribeira and sit with a drink overlooking the Douro - but watch out for pickpockets who will dip as you gaze up at the wonderful old buildings. All in all, I'd go back especially for the 23 June festival, which sounds to be great fun.

Stayed here as part of a small tour group. Hotel was dirty, noisy and very cramped. The bathroom had mold growing in it and you could barely fit into it. Hotel charges ridiculous prices for cleaning services (10 Euros/shirt, 13 Euros/pants) and checks to see if you clean anything in the bathroom any time you go out. Our room was looked in at least 3x while we were out (would have been nice if they did some cleaning). Found a laundry not to far away with reasonable prices.

it was a very nice place to stay in this hotel, and i was staying in another one in Porto afterward. This hotel is more centrally located and better than i stayed afterward. The staff was friendly, they will try their best to solve the problem for u, but they made a few mistakes during my stay. The breakfast was very simple, only bread and tea provided, and no hot breakfast (another one i stayed in provided a delicious hot breakfast in the morning). The room was nice and beautiful, but internet was not very good there.

Large ang good breakfast served..:) The building is in the main square of Porto, and is historical but well kept. Very good English spoken by the personnel.

Arriving in Porto on a warm sunny afternoon I was positively surprised both by the city and this charming pensao. I booked a single room (35 e per night), which was small, neat and stylishly decorated with a cute bathroom. My room (409) also had a little french balcony overlooking the square. The location was perfect for me as I arrived from Sao Bento Railway station (gorgeous historical building worth visiting) and I only had to walk 3 minutes - and with the flashing hotel sign I thought it was very easy to find. Compared to the residencial I stayed at in Lisbon, I felt this place was hotel quality and the service was first class. The reception has a free safety deposit, the pensao offers a quick laundry service (washing clothes is not allowed in the bathrooms) and the room had a modern air-conditioner and a little TV. The breakfast room is beautiful, but the selection of food is minimal - cornflakes, bread, coffee. No toaster, no fruit, no muesli. But it is enough to get the day started, and downstairs on the square there are Pastelarias that make famous Portuguese pastries and great coffee. The common area has two internet stations for 1e/20 mins, the only downside for me was that it was also the smoking area. I would definitely recommend this place for great location, great service and excellent value for money.

Great value for money. Lovely traditional style hotel, central location and we requsted a room on the front with a view that we got. It was a bit 'noisy' but this only added to the atmosphere of Porto and the central location.

The hotel is located in a beautiful building. It is also very central. The rooms are clean and beautiful, but small. There is also some noise from the street outside. The food in the hotel restaurant is dull, you get better food at better prices in the old town.

Very friendly staff! Nice hotel to the price - central located.

We only stayed in this hotel one night but were happy with it. Staff was very friendly and efficient. Location is great but construction nearby was loud until late. Hotel is well hidden and not easy to find!! but once found we were happy with our little room. Small room and small bathroom, and not "new" but still clean. The ceiling in the bathroom was leaking all night (due to rain?) so the bathroom floor had flooded a bit in the morning (suggestion not to leave anything on the floor if it rains!!). Otherwise good stay for one night. Cafe/restaurant down the street was very good (great wine and dessert and waiters speak english well!)

Fairly typical European pension. Located at the heart of the City and handy for most attractions. Comfortable beds, well appointed bathrooms and an acceptable - though uninspiring - breakfast. During our stay there were still extensive streetworks in progress outside but the noise was minimal. What impressed us most about the Aliados was the standard of service we received. Without exception, the staff were friendly, charming and helpful. Our stay was somewhat longer than planned - after Ryanair stranded us for an extra couple of nights - and we were forced to return unexpectedly. The staff bent over backwards to accomodate us and minimise the inconvenience of our situation (Ryanair please take note.) A great budget choice.

I spent two nights at this hotel in May 2006. This hotel is well located and it is very good for those who decide to take the one day cruise in the Douro river, as it is just a few steps from the train station. In the ground floor of the building, there is the Cafe Guarany, a very good place to eat. However, the avenue in front of the hotel is extremely noisy. Also, although the hotel is clean, the building itself needs some attention. The decoration has not been updated. The bathrooms are small and the shower is not good (but there is hot water). I would rather stay at the Quality inn Praca da Batalha hotel, where I have stayed previously, instead of staying at Residencial Aliados again. Quality inn's location is much better, as it is very close to the "funicular" that takes people to the Ribeira. Also, you can choose from a wider selection of food for breakfast. Quality inn is better value for money, as it charges your only 4 more euros per night than Residencial Aliados for a double room.

Spent two nights here in April 2006. There are major roadworks taking place directy outside the hotel 24 hours a day which meant I laid awake the entire night listening to the workmen chipping away at the cobbles and using heavy machinery which made the entire building shake! Ok, I know thats not the hotels fault but they didn't think to mention it before they took our money and offered no discount in rates for the major inconvenience. The room was a reasonable size although the bed far too short for anyone 6'00" or over. The pillows were about 10" thick with no alternative available. The shower was impossibly small with practically no room to manouvre and it leaked a huge puddle of water all over the floor which ran out of the door and into the room. The hotel has a policy which bans you from using your own travel iron in your room. If you get caught out they fine you half the daily rate of the room. Apparently this is because they have a laundry service but that's not very convenient when you arrive at 9pm in the evening and want a flat shirt to go out in that night! Breakfast consited of a choice of cereal, white rolls or croissants. No hot option available at all. The hotel is located around 15 minutes walk from the river front where all the restaurants and bars seemed to be located. 15 minutes walk downhill that is, getting back to the hotel after a couple of glasses of wine involved a 30 minutes hike up the narrow cobbled streets. Unless you want to spend your hard earned Euro's on a taxi.

We stayed at this hotel two nights when we went to Oporto. The staff was very friendly. We had a family room the first night of our stay. It was nice. They are doing construction in the square below so if you stay I would ask if you could have a room in the back. The view is better in the front and you have a balcony but the noise is all night long. The second night we stayed in the back room. Our 2 kids shared a small bed and we had a double bed and there was a side room that had a table and chair and a couch so it gave us some extra room. The showers were hot and they provided small shampoos. The towels are small but that is expected in a lot of places. They had hairdryers in the room and if they didn't they would let you borrow one. Breakfast was included which was good and it is in a great location. We had a car so there was secured parking across the street that you could use and get your car out at anytime needed. It is within walking distance to everyplace you need to go in Oporto I think. We ate at a food court both nights just for ease and quickness. They can tell you where it is at. It has McDonalds for the kids but other options for adults. I had pasta from one of the pasta restaurants two nights and it was only 4.99 and that included a drink. I would stay there again. For a family of 4 it was 66 Euro which is a great deal including breakfast. My parents stayed as well in a double room for 50 Euro with breakfast.

Excellent location. Friendly staff. Clean room, and bigger than we were expecting. And excellent value for money.

We stayed there with a large group during the summer of 2004, and found the staff helpful, the rooms clean, and the location very convenient -- just two blocks from the train station, and close to lots of shops and restaurants. Maybe a 15 minute walk to the river (going there, you walk downhill--coming back, takes a bit longer as it's a steep incline). It's an inexpensive hotel, so you're not going to get a lot of amenities, and some of the rooms are definitely better than others (but if you ask to switch they will try to accomodate you). The shower was very tiny, even by European standards. But they had a nice, big lounge area with couches and chairs, plus two computers with Internet access that you could use for a nominal fee.

I stayed here in April 2005 and had requested and was given a room at the rear of the property in the hope it would be quiet. It was but only for an hour or so when drilling and sanding machines in use in the room directly above mine meant that I might of well have camped in the middle of the street. A move was requested and granted. This time I was allocated a street facing room, which, though larger, was noisy. At least there was a view! The rooms are nothing special but are spotlessly clean, perfectly adequate and all apparently have phones and SAT TV. The staff were without exception friendly, helpful and polite. At EUR42.50 a night incl. breakfast, I couldn't complain. Note however that the hotel's restaurant - Guarany - is less of a find serving mediocre food at above average prices. Best avoided as there many excellent choices within walking distance.

This place was a very central place to be in Porto, close to everything. The accommodations are clean and comfortable. The girls at the front desk were friendly and very helpful. This is a nice comfortable place and is not expensive at all.

Stayed there in Sept / Oct 2002. Centrally located, right on the main square, right across from MacDonalds and close to the Tourist Office and Post Office. Ask for a back room, which although smaller, allow you to avoid the noise from the building site right outside the hotel, which is the beginning of the new metro system! They seem to start piledriving early and finish it late! Room decor nothing fantastic, but spotlessly clean and comfortable. Staff really friendly and speak good english. Breakfast is basic, but perfectly adequate. They have internet access for guests in the loung. A bit pricey, but better than nothing and there is never a queue for use. I didn't manage to find any other places in Porto.

For January it was to cold in the room and there was no heating. But the location of the hotel is great.

We loved this hotel for the building and the location. Breakfast was good and the price was very good. The rooms are a bit old and the bathroom needs to be renewed, but it was a great value for a great place. I would definately stay there again!

For 40 Eur a single room, 50 Eur a double room, the hotel offers more or less what you pay for, keeping in mind also its very central location. The building is very nice, Porto's center and main sights are in walking distance. We got an interior room so there was no street noise problem. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room interiors are old but kept clean. There is a new heating/air conditioning unit in each of the rooms, along with a radiant heater for the bathroom. If you stay in winter, you will need both to get the room to comfortable temperature. The mattresses of the beds in our room were really tired, slanting upwards at the foot end. Also, all towels and bedspreads are rather worn out. Breakfast was really disappointing - just spend 2 Euros in any of the cafes nearby and you will do far better.... Finally, there were computers with paid Internet access in the lounge... Apparently the hotel is working on installing WiFi.