Lisbon Story Guesthouse

Lisbon Story Guesthouse is a perfectly cheerful, somewhat communal property, with a dash of charming character. That impression starts as guests enter from a cobblestone square outside, ringed with iconic Lisbon buildings. Inside, the small reception era has a homey look, with hardwood floors and a blackboard with colorful scribblings. The first impression is low key, and that carries through the property. The main gathering space is the breakfast room/guest lounge, which features hardwood floors, sofas, and big windows that let in lots of natural light and offer good views of the square. A small outdoor terrace has pillows and cushions, and the communal kitchen is also a popular spot. International budget travelers are drawn to this hotel's affordable rates, convivial atmosphere, and excellent central Lisbon location. Even so, there are other hostels with private rooms around the city that have a bit more style and substance at lower rates.

Lisbon Story Guesthouse is in central Lisbon, next to the 13th-century Igreja de Sao Domingos church on Largo de Sao Domingos square. Rossio Square is only a two-minute walk away, and is near the Rossio metro and train stations. Several shops, restaurants, and bars are nearby, as is the National Theater Dona Maria II. The Santa Justa Lift connects the lower streets of the Baixa district to the higher Carmo Square -- it's a five-minute walk. Expect a 10-minute walk to the high-end shops and famous cafes along Rua Garrett in Chiado, and a 15-minute walk to the nightlife and bars in Bairro Alto. The Miradouro da Graca overlook offers great views of the city and river, and is also a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Similar vistas are on offer from Sao Jorge Castle, which is a 20-minute walk uphill through the Alfama. Lisbon Portela Airport is a 20-minute drive or 50 minutes away by metro.

The 11 rooms and apartments at Lisbon Story Guesthouse each have a different configuration and decor, and are named for a different aspect of Lisbon, like the Tagus River or fado music. The look is simple, and decor is limited to artwork or proverbs written on the walls. Some have hardwood floors and area rugs that add a little personality, while others have vintage pieces like an old phonograph. Pops of red, pink, or navy blue appear sparingly. Rooms come with fans but not air-conditioning, so they can get hot in the summer. In the colder months, the hotel also provides oil heaters upon request. With their thin walls, noise issues from neighboring rooms and traffic can sometimes be an issue. Many rooms are small, and some have lofted beds. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, but none have TVs, and housekeeping isn't provided. Some rooms don't have closets, and there aren't always enough hangers on the wall-mounted clothing bar. Apartments are available, and are far more spacious, with full kitchens and sofa beds. All bathrooms come with towels and shower gel, though many rooms share bathrooms. The hotel has no elevator, and stairs are a bit steep.

The Lisbon Story Guesthouse serves a good continental breakfast featuring sliced ham, cheese, bread, cereal, yogurt, muesli, coffee, and juice. Guests can cook hot breakfast items in the communal kitchen. The breakfast room doubles as an all-day space for guests to relax, listen to music, read a book from the shelf, surf the internet, or play a board game. Free coffee and tea are available here. A small outdoor terrace is a good place to get some fresh air. The hotel also has a public computer, several public bathrooms, free luggage storage, and a 24-hour front desk with tourist assistance. Nearby public parking is available for a fee.