The Principe Real has nice rooms with a modern design. The staff is very friendly and helpful, in particular the lady that was on duty at the reception when we arrived (the fourth star is due to her). The room was reasonably clean and in good shape. Numerous small restaurants and cafes are in short walking distance from the Principe Real. The Jardim Botanico (botanical garden) is just around the corner, although the gate is sometimes closed and you have to walk to the main entrance further away from the hotel. They have a PC with free internet access in the lobby, but no internet access in the guest rooms.

Cons: No breakfast buffet; the breakfast is a la carte. We found the selection rather poor compared to the other hotels in Portugal we stayed in, and some of the items (sausage, fruit salad) were not fresh. On some mornings the waiter was very busy and therefore it took some time to get served. The hotel is located approximately in the middle between the Avenida da Liberdade and the Bairro Alto, so both the climb up from the Avenida to the hotel or from the hotel up to the Bairro Alto are pretty steep and strenuous if you are not in good shape. So whereever you go, you can't avoid climbing up a hill. Think about going by public transport? Think again and prepare for a climb!

Our room was pretty small and, facing the street, we had to keep the windows closed all the time to avoid the street noise. Our bed was very small for two people. When we asked for a room with a larger bed (which they hadn't because they were booked up) the staff was very helpful and arranged for a second bed to be placed in our room.

Recently stayed here and I was very happy with the service and accomodations. We checked in on a Friday and they had upgraded us from a double room to a top floor suite - no explanation why and of course we did not ask, but the views of the city and the castle were wonderful. Rooms were very modern and clean, a/c worked great (it was in the 90s in Lisbon that weekend), maid service was also excellent, as was front desk assistance. Daily breakfast was delicious, with a wide range of choices.

Also a great location, as it was just a short (but steep) walk up the hill to the nightlife of Bairro Alto. If you don't want to (or can't) walk hills, this might not be the hotel for you, but for my money I was very pleased.

Totally renovated from the previous hotel with its historic aura and fine antique furnishings and atmosphere, which I treasured on earlier visits to Lisbon, the newly reopened and modernized Hotel Principe Real is still a gem. The rooms are bright and very well kept up, furniture attractive, bathroom large and sparkling clean with tub, shower and bidet, and, in our case, a sitting room with fridge and large tv, a place delightful to stay in when not busy in town. For breakfast, there was a copious menu with delicious eggs and bacon, breads and rolls, cheese and cold cuts, etc., etc., with bottles of water and a bottle of good vin mousseux available for those requiring a special eye opener. Service was ***** quality from the personable manager, Sr. Malveiro, and the entire staff. Except for an occasional chambermaid, just about everyone spoke and understood excellent English. During the period we stayed there, some 10 days between March 15 and 31, our daily rate was 105 Euros, including that nice breakfast and sparkling eye-opener. An example of the helpful attitutude prevailing there: finding upon arrival that I had left my 12+ prescription drugs at home, I shared my problem with the hotel manager. He and the young woman who was the receptionist worked for a good hour to locate a doctor to come to the hotel to interview me and issue new prescriptions. Then (by now it was 7 pm) they persuaded a nearby pharmacy to stay open especially to dispense all these medications, so that I never missed a beat in taking these. Whatever question was posed to them regarding problems, travel advice or anything else, there was a speedy, friendly, helpful response. My wife and I wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else in Lisbon!

PS: I am 77 years old but I managed the streets and staircases of Old Lisbon without trouble, just adjusting my speed. Public transportation -- buses and streetcars are available within five to eight minutes walk up the street and the Metro/Underground/Subway, whatever one calls it, is a five to eight minute walk down the street to the broad boulevard, where there are also buses. FYI, the Port Wine Institute, offering over 300 varieties for consumption in a pleasant surrounding , is a short bus ride or perhaps a 15 minute walk away from the hotel.

The Principe Real now belongs to the Belver chain. It has been updated to a **** boutique hotel. The rooms are typical, modern yet with nice antique furniture. All conveniences, such as bathrobes, supplied, although sometimes (bathroom) the *** still shine through. Plasma TV, good internet connection (charge); excellent air condition. Very friendly staff. No breakfast buffet, but a fee a la carte order service - that has its advantages. The hotel is in one of the hilly typical neighborhoods close to the center, and a great spot for the better sort of tourists, but while it is only minutes from the Liberdade ave., it is NOT for those with problems with walink - you have to walk up the steep hills; there is no public transport, and one doesn't always want to take a taxi.