Novotel Lisboa

Much like the business neighborhood that it calls home, the Novotel Lisboa doesn't quite have all the charm of the city's historic district properties, though it's a perfectly functional stay for business travelers and families. A modern exterior with stripes of concrete and glass that are lit up at night gives the Novotel an upscale feel that fits right into this newer business-oriented part of Lisbon. Like its fellow Accor Group hotel chains, the Novotel Lisboa is professionally dressed, with decor that includes white tiles and clean carpeted hallways for a look that's clean and modern, but utterly no nonsense. Relaxed and fun, but also serious and professional, business travelers find the location and on-site meeting rooms to be convenient. Families are also frequent guests here due to its plethora of child-friendly amenities, including the large-capacity guest rooms, children's pool, and indoor and outdoor play areas.

The Campolide district is far from the city center, but can be quiet and relaxing as a result. Bank buildings like the Santander Totta and Popular are located just across the street, and other business hotels dot the area. There are plenty of parks nearby, like the Jardim da Amnistia Internacional (a two-minute walk) and the Jardim da Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian, which is home to two museums (a 13-minute walk). Lisbon Zoo is a 15-minute walk in the opposite direction. For those wanting to see the rest of the city, it's less than a 10-minute walk to Praca de Espanha metro station, which connects to the city center via the Azul line in 20 minutes. It will take about 30 minutes to reach Praca do Marques de Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade by a combination of walking and the metro. Hop-on/hop-off tour buses depart from i front of the hotel at Avenida Jose Malhoa (Sul). Rides on the cheap Aerobus shuttle leave from there as well, and take a little over a half an hour to reach the airport (they depart every 40 minutes). Early morning and later evening flights are best accessed via cab, which can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.

All 249 spacious rooms at Novotel Lisboa provide at least a sofa bed plus a choice of king, full, or two twin beds, making them a smart choice for families. Suites with multiple bedrooms are available for larger groups. While many of the modern rooms feel dark due to small windows and a neutral color scheme, they also sport bright orange accent walls, furniture, and throw pillows to keep them lively. Minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and Bluetooth speakers all come standard. White-tiled bathrooms are clean and smart, with wooden floors and a modern sloped porcelain sink. All include shower/tub combos, bidets, and hairdryers, and there's a decent amount of storage space. Fair-trade toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers are all nice touches. Some guests have reported excellent soundproofing, while others found the low-flying airplanes to/from the nearby airport noisy. 

With its location outside the center of Lisbon, the hotel has more space for features than many of its competitors in the city's historic districts. There are two well-sized outdoor pools (one for children) and a terraced poolside bar that also serves food. There's also a children's playground in the same courtyard, as well as an indoor play area with blocks and other toys. Kids' events are also often scheduled during peak season. Nine spacious meeting rooms named after Lisbon's neighborhoods are available for events for up to 280 guests. A small 24-hour gym is sparsely furnished with just a couple machines and is underwhelming for a hotel of this size. A restaurant serving Portuguese and international dishes also hosts the extensive paid breakfast buffet that features plenty of hot and cold options, and there's a second bar as well. Hotel parking is available for a fee in the underground garage, and public parking can also be found across the street. For convenience, a tobacco machine and a machine shoeshine is available near reception. A web corner is provided in the lobby with Macs and a printer, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.