Vila Galé Ópera

The Vila Gale Opera Hotel is situated in an eight-story brick building with a distinctive, narrow facade that runs parallel to the 25 de Abril Bridge -- an iconic sight, but a little too close for some guests who find the traffic noises distracting. Decor in the lobby is pleasant, if not impersonal, with glossy tiled floors, yellow walls, red accents, and black and silver pleather seating. Because of the nearby Congress Center, the hotel attracts its share of business travelers, and the buffet restaurant, with it's tiled floors and open-plan casual seating, feels arranged for just the sort of steady stream of visitors a large conference attracts. The most unique characteristic of the hotel is the faint opera theme, with old theater costumes decorating a wall in the lobby and music and opera-themed art throughout (not to mention the occasional live opera performances in the lobby). The location, though not necessarily ideal for tourists, affords this hotel the space for amenities that more centrally located properties don't usually provide. In addition to business guests, the hotel attracts couples and families.

The Vila Gale Opera Hotel sits along a main road and is almost underneath the 25 de Abril Bridge in Alcântara near the trendy Docas (Docks) area, which is filled with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, many of them a five-minute walk or less from the hotel. The LX Factory, an industrial zone rehabbed into an artsy dining and shopping complex, is just a seven-minute walk away. The hotel is also convenient to the Lisbon Congress Center (four-minute walk) and Egas Moniz Hospital (10-minute walk). Belém sights can be reached in about 25 minutes via public transit. The Alcantara-Mar tram station is a nine-minute walk, and from there guests can get to Lisbon's downtown and historic center in 10- to 15-minutes. Lisbon Portela Airport is a 20- to 35-minute drive, depending on traffic. On-site parking is available, but it costs an extra fee.

The hotel's rooms are comfortably sized and feature basic, traditional decor with off-white walls accented with opera-themed artwork, wood furniture, and either neutral wall-to-wall carpeting or hardwood floors. Coordinating drapes, bed runners, and headboards offer a little color. While the decor is tasteful, it can feel impersonal and a little tired in places. Bathrooms are contemporary with gray and beige tiling, bidets, and combination showers and tubs. The majority of the hotel's 259 guest rooms are Standard (240 square feet), but 19 Superior Rooms and 16 Suites are available. Higher-category rooms add extras like more space, sitting areas, or bathrobes. All rooms are air-conditioned and have LCD TVs with cable, plus free Wi-Fi and lightly stocked minibars. However, there are no coffee/tea facilities (room service is available 24-hours). In-room safes cost an extra fee. Bathrooms have magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and free individual toiletries. Some guests like views of the river and bridge, but others complain rooms that face the bridge are particularly noisy from traffic and trains. 

The hotel has a nice range of extra property features, ones guests aren't likely to find at more centrally located properties in Lisbon. The indoor pool-area is a highlight, with a window wall, well-sized lap pool, loungers, and a whirlpool. There's also a spa with a sauna, hammam, and two treatment rooms. The gym is bright and welcoming with a wood floor, mirrored wall, and a range of cardio and weight-lifting equipment. The property has a casual lobby bar and restaurant, which serves decent daily buffets at prescribed time-windows for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A la carte options are also available, as is outdoor seating. The hotel also has five meeting rooms, computers for guest use, and free Wi-Fi. Concierge service, laundry service, and 24-hour room service are available. A unique feature: Actual opera singers are also known to make an appearance some weekend nights in the lobby.