Hotel Lisboa

Hotel Lisboa is a solid upper-middle-range hotel situated in a nine-story concrete building constructed in the late 1980s, with a complete renovation in 2008. The cobblestone entryway leads to a marbled beige reception area with a C-shaped front desk -- it's a little underwhelming as a lobby, but the real hangout spot here is Mara Bar, a lounge space off the lobby that pairs dark walls and dark wood accents, with floor-to-ceiling windows, cream-colored carpeting, and charcoal gray armchairs set around clear cafe tables. Turquoise table lamps and zebra-print settees add flair. The restaurant is nice, too, with its own stylish lounge space set in a dark room with moody lighting, long velvety couches in beige, striped ottomans, and a gallery wall of black-and-white photographs. Decor here can sometimes feel generic, but overall this clean, contemporary property is a competitive choice, offering better rates than similar properties situated in tourist-heavy areas like Rossio Square. Tourists are the main clientele here, and double/twin rooms make it a popular choice among couples. 

Hotel Lisboa is situated just off Avenida de Liberdade (one-minute walk), Lisbon's main artery, a tree-lined street packed with high-end hotels and shops. Guests can walk to popular neighborhoods like Baxia, Chiado, and Bairro Alto in 20 minutes or less. Rossio Square is less than a 15-minute walk, or it's a straight shot via public transit, taking less than five minutes. The Avenida metro stop is a four-minute walk away. The hotel offers secure parking on-site, but it costs an extra fee. An airport shuttle is available for an extra fee and must be booked in advance.

• 15-minute walk to Santa Justa Lift
• 15 minutes to Casa dos Bicos via public transit
• 20 minutes to St. George's Castle via public transit
• 22 minutes to Alfama via public transit
• 45 minutes to Belém Tower via public transit
• 45 minutes to Jerónimos Monastery via public transit 
• 45 minutes to Lisbon Portela Airport via public transit (15-minute drive without traffic)

Guest rooms are clean and contemporary, though somewhat generic, with nice hardwood floors, cream-colored walls, and bright accent walls in deep red or blue, with coordinating upholstery and fabrics. Bathrooms are a bit characterless but roomy, fully tiled in beige with toilets, bidets, and combination showers and tubs. Of the property's rooms 63 rooms and suites, 54 of them are Standard Rooms (38 twin rooms and 13 doubles) with 215 square feet of space. The hotel's six Executive Rooms measure 430 square feet and have separate bedrooms and living rooms, while the three Panoramic Rooms include 322 square feet of room space and additional 107 square feet of balcony space.

Rooms are air-conditioned and include work desks, plus laptop safes, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Nicely stocked minibars and coffee/tea service also come standard. Bathrooms have hairdryers and Yves Rocher toiletries. Upgraded rooms add magnifying mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers. Rooms are fairly well-insulated from exterior noise, but light sleepers may want to consider selecting a room higher up that doesn't face the street.

For a relatively small property, Hotel Lisboa offers a nice selection of extra features. The hotel's restaurant, Chutneys Bar & Bistro, serves a range of international dishes for lunch and dinner. There's indoor and outdoor seating, a generously stocked bar, plus a stylish, moody lounge space. The hotel also has a nice, smaller lobby bar and lounge, Mara Bar, where guests can buy the usual alcoholic beverages or help themselves to free coffee, tea, and water throughout the day. The hotel's free breakfast buffet is served up in a separate room, and includes a good (though not expansive) selection of hot and cold options, like scrambled eggs, bacon, and cereal. Room service is available from morning until late.

The hotel also has a tiny gym with wood floors and mirrored walls. There's modern weightlifting and cardio equipment, including a treadmill and elliptical (though just one of each). For guests traveling with children, cribs are available and laundry service or babysitting can be arranged. Reception is opened 24 hours and staff offer concierge services. The hotel has a meeting room, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Private parking is available on-site, but costs an extra fee. Airport transfers can be arranged.