Hotel A. S. Lisboa

Anyone who has been to Portugal before knows that part of its charm is its dated and vintage vibe; thrift store finds, chipped tiles, and crumbling corners are all too common in its buildings, especially mid-range hotels. Thanks to updates in 2009 and 2010, this tower hotel was able to crawl out its dated motel vibe by replacing some furniture and adding splashes of color here and there. Artful modern lighting, up-cycled cushioned wooden chairs, and plants placed in the lobby; patterned bed runners and curtains in some of the rooms; and a sleek update to the entrance were all much-needed refurbishments. However, some of the dated aspects remained, creating a disjointed vibe throughout. 

Over in the breakfast room, it's nothing but quaint European charm. The indoor space has a surprising and welcomed outdoor feel thanks to the white mosaic flooring, sun-yellow walls, interior green shutters on the inside of the windows, and black-iron cafe-style tables and chairs -- with a modern touch of line-lighted drop ceilings. Throughout the hotel the mishmash of old versus new decor might not quite blend enough for some, though all-in-all, this hotels stacks pretty evenly style-wise with its surrounding competitors.

Hotel AS Lisboa is on the edge of the Alto do Pina district, located in the central northeastern part of the city. Though the hotel is slightly out from the more popular tourist areas like trendy Barrio Alto, old-aged Alfama, or northern banks of Belem, guests typically love this hotel's location. Because of its one-minute-walking-distance proximity to both the Red Line and Green Line Alameda stops, most tourist destinations can be reached within a 15-minute metro ride. The Red Line also directly connects guests to the airport in 25 minutes, and those wanting to explore Alfama or go shopping can be in Baxio-Chaido in 11 minutes on the Green Line. Note that parking can be a bit troublesome.  

Hotel AS Lisboa's has 75 rooms across 11 floors, with spectacular views from the higher floors. However, the tower design of the hotel (with no shared walls after the ground floor), also means that nearly every room has a view -- front-facing rooms look over the nearby park. Plus, the double-paned windows help keep out street noise. While the hotel did a decent job bringing these rooms into the 21st century with contemporary furniture and colorful fabrics, many rooms betray the process, with style that looks like a quick cosmetic makeover of an old space. The design throughout includes wood floors, wooden desks, stained and sealed wooden headboards with built-in bedside tables, and colorful patterned curtains. Occasionally, curtains match bed runners or headboards, and suites add colorful boxy couches.

All rooms are stocked with coffeemakers (though no kettles), mounted flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and a DVD player, minibars, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and old-style safes. White-tiled bathrooms are have pedestal sinks, bidets, old-fashioned hairdryers, and shower/tub combos. The regular Junior Suites can sleep three (one on a convertible couch), while the Junior Suites (with Living Room) provide separate rooms with two convertible couches. 

You won't find a full restaurant or bar here, but there is a 24-hour honesty bar that has alcohol, coffee, and simple hot meals. There's some seating right next to the bar offerings where guests can eat or drink. Most guests are impressed with the hotel's free hot and cold breakfast buffet that includes items such as scrambled eggs, pastries, fresh fruit, and coffee. Guests also receive a welcome drink of tea at check-in. 

Family-friendly features include babysitting services for a fee, while business travelers can use the hotel's three well-equipped but dated meeting rooms. There is free, and sometimes patchy, Wi-Fi throughout, plus a small business center set up in the lobby with a computer, printer, and DVD rental library.