Lisbon Dreams Guest House

The Lisbon Dreams Guest House is a small, family-owned operation designed to look and feel like home. Housed in a faded yellow building with a green door, just a small sign gives away the entrance of the hotel, which occupies the first and second floors. Inside, the decor is modern and mostly white, with splashes of a single color accenting each of the difference rooms. Various shared spaces makes for a communal atmosphere, including a cozy living room, large terrace with patio furniture, breakfast room, and a kitchen where guests can cook their own meals. The Guest House opened in 2009, but the building dates to the 19th century, which means thin walls, narrow corridors and a carved wooden staircase connecting the two floors. As such, noise can be an issue, and there is no elevator. The Lisbon Dreams Guest House draws travelers of all kinds, but the most typical guests are couples and single travelers who don’t mind the shared bathrooms and enjoy a communal vibe.

The Lisbon Dreams Guest House is located in central Lisbon, less than a five-minute walk from the Marques de Pombal Square. There are plenty of conveniences nearby by like cafes, restaurants, shops, banks and ATMs. The charming Principe Real neighborhood, becoming a trendy district of restaurants, gay bars, and boutiques, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Those looking to reach the more touristy center of the city are in luck as well. Within five minutes guests can be at either the Marques de Pombal Metro or the Rato Metro stop, and from there it's 25 minutes to the historic Alfama district or 30 minutes to the Castelo de S. Jorge. By foot, it will take 20 minutes to reach the Santa Justa Lift or nightlife hub of Bairro Alto. The hotel is 20 minutes by car to Lisbon's airport and less than 15 minutes by metro to Rossio Station. 

Rooms at the Lisbon Dreams Guest House are charming and cozy, much like the rest of the hotel, with walls and furnishings in mostly white with splashes of color. These are sharp and modern rooms, which are a nice step up from the frequently drab guest houses we've seen in various European capitals. Sizes vary, from the smallest room that's just big enough for a twin bed to a family size room that can sleep four. All guests will find a robe, slippers and a green apple arranged on the comfortable beds upon arrival. Other amenities are limited in all but one room -- there is no air-conditioning and bathrooms are shared, although there are several on each of the two floors and they come equipped with hand and body soap as well as cleaning supplies. The exception is the Superior Double which has air-conditioning, an en-suite bathroom, minibar, and a wardrobe. It’s worth noting that depending on where a room is located it will likely absorb noise from either the street, the communal terrace, or the extra foot traffic in hallways due to the shared bathrooms. None of the rooms have a TV, though all include free Wi-Fi. 

For a value option, the Lisbon Dreams Guest House has some features could might draw guests over similarly priced small hotels. Breakfast is varied and generous (and free), and guests serve themselves in a cheery, but cramped, breakfast room. A kitchen with a full sized refrigerator has tea and coffee available all day, and guests can buy groceries and prepare meals for themselves. A large communal terrace is outfitted with wooden lounge furniture, bright colored pillows and potted plants. Rather than a typical business center, laptops are available for use upon request. There is no elevator, so guests must be willing to use the stairs between the two floors. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, although the signal can be weak in some rooms.