Av. Duque de Avila, 201, City Center, Lisbon, Portugal | 351 21 359 2050
Located across from the Sao Sebastiao station and Gulbenkian Gardens
Clean rooms have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges; some with balconies
Bright breakfast room and modern bar
Three meeting rooms for up to 80 people
Business center with two computers
24-hour front desk provides free city maps
On-site secured parking (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi
Aircraft noise can be heard in some rooms
Breakfast not included in all room rates
Deposit required for in-room safes
Breakfast room gets crowded and busy
Decor is generic and a bit forgettable
The modern, mid-range Hotel Principe Lisboa, with 70 rooms, delivers affordable, no-fuss accommodations by the Gulbenkian Museum and across from the Sao Sebastiao Metro station, four stops from the city center. The hotel has a breakfast room -- which can get crowded -- and a cozy lounge bar. For business travelers, there are three meeting spaces and a computer corner. Clean, simply furnished rooms have classic decor, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges; some have balconies with street views. However, airplanes flying overhead can sometimes cause in-room noise.
Scene
Mid-range, small hotel with contemporary design and a business vibe
Last renovated in 2013, the eight-floor Hotel Principe Lisboa is a small, modern property with a business vibe. Brown leather panels cover the front desk, which is surrounded by blond-wood walls. In the lounge, a punchy orange rug sits under black suede chairs and chrome-leg coffee tables. Corridors are narrow and neutrally decorated with tan wall-to-wall carpets and white walls. There are contemporary touches throughout the hotel, such as the oversized black lamp at the base of the staircase, but in general the designs aren’t particularly memorable. A slight tint to the windows is the one noticeable accent to the exterior of the hotel, which mostly attracts budget-minded couples and travelers with children.
Location
Outside of Lisbon’s city center by the Gulbenkian Gardens
This property is next to the Gulbenkian Park and Museum and across the street from the Sao Sebastiao Metro station, which is on the blue line that goes to the city center and the red line that travels to the Lisbon Oceanarium and Lisbon Portela Airport. Shopping at the El Corte Ingles department store is a five-minute walk away. Walking to the city center is a doable 30-minute downhill trek past the Park Edward VII, Marques de Pombal Square, and high-end shops on Avenida da Liberdade. Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama, is reachable in 30 minutes by bus. The Santa Justa Lift in the Baixa district is a 20-minute public transportation trip. The Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower are about 20 minutes by car.
Rooms
Classic, small rooms with mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs; some have balconies with street views
Rooms are traditional in design with brown and blond tones. Red-and-cream drapes, brown wall-to-wall carpeting, blond-wood furniture, and brown striped bedspreads create a homey but tidy vibe. In some rooms glass patio doors lead to casually furnished balconies with street views. Quadruple Rooms are the largest, and Single Rooms are the smallest, designed for solo travelers. As the names imply, Double Rooms offer one double bed and Twin Rooms have two twin beds. Family Rooms and Triple Rooms have two single beds and a cot. Cribs can be requested. All rooms feature AC, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Irons and ironing boards, if not included, can be requested for free. Beige-tiled bathrooms are modern with showers or shower/tub combos, wall-mounted toiletries, bidets, hairdryers, and square vessel sinks.
Features
Three meeting rooms and computer access, a breakfast room, front desk services, and parking
The amenities at this hotel aren’t fancy, but they’re functional and modern. Three meeting spaces can be rented out, fitting a maximum of 80 people. By the hotel’s entrance is a business corner that offers two PC computers. Wooden wall paneling and natural light in the breakfast room creates a bright setting, although breakfast isn't included in all room rates. The cozy bar has a professional ambience with gray chairs and sofas, but there's no full restaurant for lunch and dinner. The 24-hour front desk offers free city maps and tour information for guests. Private parking is also available on-site, for a fee.