Please read all this review to understand my overall marking. In a good, safe location, sort of in the business district.
The hotel is undergoing an outside facelift at the moment, but it did not affect our stay. We asked for a quiet room, as many of the hotels are on major roads and traffic noise might be a problem.
We were given a quiet room - not facing the road. Consequently the view out the window was the dreary rear of another hotel. But it was very quiet, and with the roll down shutter and the curtains, it was nice and dark for sleeping.. The double room we had was very small and dark, but clean. Well, we did ask for the quiet side!. The room seemed a bit jaded as it probably hadnt been decorated for 10 years. The bed was firm, but the linen and the room were clean. Maids came in and cleaned and replaced towels etc every day. For those television saddo's there's only 2 English tv channels available. Had our first evening meal in the hotel restuarant. Nothing special, rather quiet and lacking in atmosphere. Ate out on the other evenings. Breakfast in the morning was slightly below average from what I expect, but was ok. We didnt bother on 3 of the mornings. However, despite all I have said, From an Englishman's point of view, when compared with "rip off Britain's" hotels, I thought it good value for the money - I paid 330 Euros which is approx £300 for a double room B&B for the two of us for 5 nights. I used Venere.com who were for this hotel much cheaper than any other booking agency. You dont go on a city break to stay in your room, so get out there.
Next door to the hotel is a lovely park - theres a bar and cafe in the middle of it - open on the evenings too. It was a nice 10-15 minute walk into the centre of town. If you are into designer clothes then you will love the boulevard (avenue) you walk down to town along.
There are lots of little restuarants and cafes near the hotel but they are in little side streets off the main road on the way into town. Have a wander and find some nice little gems.
Taxis - to and from the airport. I was worried about being ripped off from what I read, so got a taxi at the airport arranged by the Lisbon tourist board. Its a guaranteed 22 Euros and paid in advance and they take you to a taxi etc. They said at the time it would be cheaper to do it myself, but I said no. The same fare from a taxi flagged down outside the hotel to the airport was 7.5 Euros. I will get my own taxi next time, but I was warned beforehand.
Food. Didn’t have a bad meal anywhere. All very similar in what they serve. They are slightly quirky as many of them, without you asking bring bread and cheese and pate with your drinks to start off your meal. Its not free, you pay for what you eat of what they’ve brought. But if you dont eat it, you dont pay for it
Decent wine. Local Beers not upto the standard in the rest of Europe, so if you like decent ones, choose imported.
Crime – Felt very safe, despite being warned by café owners to watch out pick pockets. Still, a great place to stroll around on warm Summer evenings.