Portugal’s second largest city Porto is now home to a new hotel and cultural space where music is the headliner. This independent space in the city’s Bonfim neighbourhood combines a 62-bedroom hotel, a 50-seater restaurant, a bar, a garden with alfresco dining, an outdoor swimming pool, a music library, musical instruments for hire and a concert hall with a capacity of 180 seated and 300 standing guests.
A former warehouse, M.Ou.Co. is today a contemporary space in Bonfim, a neighbourhood which is now Porto’s must-visit and must-live part of central Porto. Following a meticulous redevelopment, this entire area of 5,000 square metres of building has been transformed into a welcoming, modern space, filled with light. The building features natural materials throughout including the exterior and no paint has been used.
M.Ou.Co. is within walking distance of Porto’s historic centre and the beautiful Douro River. Porto’s historic centre and the Luís I Bridge (Ponte Luís I), alongside the monastery of Serra do Pilar, have been classified World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, since 1996.
The motto at M.Ou.Co. is Stay. Listen. Play. These three words represent everything about this new destination in the city, attracting both locals and visitors. Guests stay in bedrooms named after songs including ‘Vamos Fugir’ and ‘Voyage Voyage’. All rooms feature either a kitchenette and lounge area with ground floor rooms leading on to small private gardens with access to the outdoor swimming pool.
Music and entertainment are key elements of all bedrooms which all include a professional sound bar system, sound amplifier with headphones, Chromecast, a USP charger and GuestU Phone. By request a turntable, a guitar and a keyboard can all be hired for free from reception to be used in the bedrooms accompanied by headphones. These can all be plugged into the sound bar system for in-room personal entertainment.
All guests are also invited to listen to five vinyls in their bedrooms and these can be selected from the Music Library. All rooms have air conditioning and WIFI is free throughout M.Ou.Co. Bedroom interiors include custom made furniture items produced across Portugal. Sound proofing is also a key component of the entire building. Finally, a 24 hour concierge service is available. Many of the items of furniture in the public areas have been purchased from Porto’s vibrant vintage scene which features many vintage furniture shops across the city. Items of furniture were restored in Portugal and items including rugs are all made in Portugal.
The Music Library, bar, terrace, garden and swimming pool are all open throughout the day. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch between midday and 15:00 and dinner daily, all for both hotel guests and locals. The M.Ou.Co. bar is open daily between 11am and midnight and serves everything from coffees, juices and cocktails to a wide selection of Portuguese wines. Here guests will find a buzzy bar environment where one can work, meet or simply unwind with a book and drink. Every Saturday guest DJs host music evenings in the bar. M.Ou.Co. also blend their own coffee alongside three other blends.
M.Ou.Co. has a diverse programme of music concerts featuring national and international musicians. Previous concerts have included Portuguese band CLÃ and Scott Matthews and future concerts include Kiko & The Blues Refugees and BJ Cole on 24th February, Douglas Dare on 18th March, National of Language, the New York band on 6th May, Adam Green on 10th May and Dean Wareham on 9th July amongst many others due to be announced. The venue provides changing rooms for artists and bands, soundcheck and rehearsal rooms, a private bar and reserved access areas.
The Music Library is all about musical pleasure and that sensation and excitement of adding a vinyl to the turntable. Here, guests will encounter a collection of 600 records which is growing. The catalogue has been curated by a number of artists with links to the music and the city. M.Ou.Co also work with Porto’s record shops to keep the collection busy with classics, discoveries and latest popular releases. The Music Library also features a wide selection of specialist music books celebrating music, songwriters, composers and performers.
Another unique element at M.Ou.Co. is a service dedicated exclusively to the wellbeing of musicians. Fora Vezzá is a physiotherapist specialising in Ergonomics and she has devised a portfolio all about integrating health into instrumentalist training. Musicians can visit the ‘Performance Clinic’ where the musician can bring their instrument and receive an analysis and plan of action.
M.Ou.Co. was set up by three friends, Ramon Rodriguez, Mickael Petit and Sofia Miró, all Porto residents and all with a passion for music and the arts. Teresa Martins joined ahead of the opening and is the M.Ou.Co. hotel and restaurant General Manager.
Porto’s international airport is about 35 minutes by metro or quicker by taxi. Flights to Porto operate from across the UK, Europe, North America and Brazil.
Thanks to Luis Ferraz for his beautiful photography.
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