Within walking distance of numerous sights
Neighborhood is quiet at night, which makes for a good night's sleep
Free breakfast buffet, and a small bar
24-hour room service
No fitness center, spa, or full restaurant
Rooms are tired and drab, with small tube TVs
Twin Rooms feature two twin beds pushed together
Many rooms have depressing views
Fee for Wi-Fi
The VIP Madrid has an excellent location, within walking distance of numerous sights, and on a slightly removed street that's quiet at night. But not much else is positive about this 86-room hotel. Sure, prices are low and the breakfast buffet is included in the rate, but the hotel is well past its prime. The lobby, with its marbled tiles and pale green, cushy arm chairs, is reminiscent of a tired office building. The rooms are even drabber, with little space, old tube TVs, and duvets in an unappealing yellow (the bathrooms, at least, are surprisingly spacious). Plus, many rooms have depressing views of decaying buildings. If you're traveling on a dime, the VIP Madrid is worth considering, but its sister hotel VIP Suites is a step above, as are some other budget hotels in the vicinity.
Location
Less than a 10-minute walk from Avenida da Liberdade
The VIP Madrid is in a convenient location for tourists. Though some hotels on Avenida da Liberdade have a slightly more convenient location, the hotel is just off of it, and is within walking distance of numerous sights.Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon's main artery, is a tree-lined street packed with high-end hotels and shops. But Bairro Alto is also a bustling area in Lisbon. Popular due to its lively nightlife spots, it is also home to vintage and antique shops. The cobblestone streets are often crowded with people, as are the area's bars and restaurants. Largely spared during the earthquake, Bairro Alto has some beautiful historic monuments and sights. As in other areas of Lisbon, visitors should be careful in Bairro Alto at night, especially on the side streets; they have a reputation for loitering drug dealers.Nearby Alfama, a Moorish area, is a fishing town with great fado clubs. Like Bairro Alto, it can also be a bit dangerous at nights. Baxia, the financial district, attracts mainly business travelers. But it does have good shopping, particularly for gold and silver. West of Baxia, Chiado is the main shopping district.- 15-minute drive to Lisbon Portela Airport, or 29 minutes via public transportation