Portugal
Best and worst accommodations:
Best: Solar Montfalim in Evora
Why: Great charm and atmosphere.
Marylene Pastides in Columbia, MO USA 11/20/2009
Best: Residencial Mares
Why: Beautiful building, room overlooking the river, good price (50 Euros including breakfast for two), wonderful welcoming owner, excellent location.
George in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/10/2009
Best: Residencial Florescente, Lisbon
Why: Perfect location, good staff, elevator & better than average breakfast. Short walk to Metro, Tram, Rossi station and "Eating Lane" at its door ideal for people watching.
George in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/10/2009
Best: The mare pension in Salema
Why: beautiful views, great location, friendly manager, delicious breakfast.
Patricia Snee in Springville, PA USA 10/09/2009
Best: Internacional Design Hotel - Lisbon
Why: Not a Rick recommendation but should be. The hotel was hip and comfortable and located right on Rossio Square, very near a metro station and right by the airport bus stop. The staff was friendly and helpful. We found the hotel on hotels.com which was the only thing that made the hotel affordable for us. The advertised rate was 200 Euro per night (roughly $300 USD) but we got it for just over $100 USD. If you search for it on hotels.com, you must search by Internacional with a "c" as it does not show up if you spell it with a "t".
traveldorks OK USA 09/19/2009
Best: Hotel Grande Paris in Porto
Why: The breakfast and the garden alone were worth it! But service was also warm and helpful, if formal. And the location made a great central point for all our adventures. Agree its good to ask for room towards the back - ours had a little balcony and great views.
Hillary Slawson in Seattle, WA USA 08/15/2009
Best: Casa Miradouro, Sintra
Why: Wonderful views, day and night (not surprising, given the translation of its name!). Charlotte Lambregts is a most gracious host, with lots of suggestions - I'm glad we took her advice to rent a car for a day to visit the coast and Obidos - she quickly helped me overcome my trepidations about driving (she made arrangements with the rental company to bring the car to us, too). Her staff were welcoming and attentive, even making an early breakfast so we could get to the Lisbon airport on time.
Rebecca in Charlottesville, VA USA 06/02/2009
Best: Residencia Domus
Why: Clean room, quiet and a great value. Our double room was 38 Euros and included breakfast and overnight parking
Carol in Atlanta, GA USA 05/28/2009
Best: Sagres, Infante Pousada
Why: Location, location, location! Splurge for a room with a view of the ocean; that's why you're here. It well worth the extra money.
Brenda VanAmburgh in Fort Worth, TX USA 05/17/2009
Best: Hotel Britania, Lisbon
Why: Tripadvisor reviews sounded too good to be true. It's all true. This is one of the nicest places you will ever stay. The staff is wonderful and very helpful with booking tours, etc.
ED ERWIN in CORSICANA, TX USA 03/23/2009
Best: Grande Hotel de Paris Residencial - Porto
Why: I'm not sure the best, but it was good for the price. The clean, modern bathroom was wonderful and the buffet breakfast (included) was plentiful. And they do take VISA credit cards now. The downside is that it is located a ways up one of the many Porto hills! (and no ground level entrance - you'd better be able to climb stairs just to get into the place)
Worst: I wouldn't say worst, but the Quality Inn Praca da Baltalha
Why: We didn't stay there, we didn't even go in there, but from the outside on the plaza it looked just like a big, modern hotel with no "atmosphere" -- we were happy with with our choice of the Grande Hotel de Paris Residencial.
Beverly Rabenberg in Austin, TX USA 11/24/2008
Worst: Pinhao Vintage House Hotel
Why: I suggest you recommend it way too strongly.
We had high expectations of a Relais & Chateaux property. Unfortunately, they were not met. Our standard room had a moldy shower and chipped tile in the bathroom. The chair upholstery was very worn and one chair had a big rip in the arm. The table and desk tops looked as though they had been water damaged. The carpet was dirty and stained. It was not vacuumed during our 3 night stay. Fortunately, we ate in the dining room only one night. The food was adequate. Service was not. We were four at the table--3 women and 1 man. Only he got a menu with prices. When we requested menus with prices for all, the waiter was rude and reluctant to comply. Finally, after repeated requests, he did, but said it was "Portuguese policy" not to give women menus with prices. What nonsense! We had been in many nicer restaurants by that time and had never experienced such a thing. The location IS lovely, but the property has seen better days.
Lorinne Lunde in Northbrook, Il USA 10/16/2008
Best: Solar Monfalim
Why: Delightful. Centrally located. Beautiful lodging. Friendly staff. Nice breakfast.
Colette in Cottage Grove, OR USA 06/29/2008
Best: Pension Mare
Why: Friendly, great location, good suggestions by owners for day trips, good price, honor the discount and free internet
Worst: Residencial Policarpo
Why: Hotel not exactly the worst, but very tired, smoky and absolutely the worst breakfast (i.e. cornflakes)
F. & C. Weiss in Victoria, BC Canada 05/03/2008
Best: Hotel Residencial Florescente Lisbon
Why: It was very affordable, clean, great location and breakfast was included. We stayed there for 3 nights after a week in the Algarve.
Christy in Mpls, MN USA 02/20/2008
Best: Hotel Residencial Florescente Lisbon
Why: great location, efficient staff, large rooms, clean and beautiful baths, breakfast included-GREAT value
Worst: Pensao Santa Cruz
Why: Oswald was VERY kind and this was the least expensive place we stayed BUT it is truly for the BUDGET conscious..a little too bare bones for us..great location and again FRIENDLY.
Joan in JACKSONVILLE, FL USA 01/17/2008
Best: Rosa's, Tavira in Algarve
Why: very clean, spacious and reasonable in cost
Philip Hubbard in Barre, MA USA 01/06/2008
Best: Ibis Hotel Lisbon Liberdade
Why: The room was nice and clean (61 euros). The window opened, so I could control the room temperature (I was there in December, and it was too warm for me with just the thermostat, but with the window open, it was just right). The breakfast is up to 5.50 euros, but on the morning I had an early train to catch, it was worth it. I only stayed in one other place during my week in Portugal , a 15 euro quarto in Sagres.
Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 01/05/2008
Best:
Why: Both the Albergaria Mar Bravo hotel in Nazare and the Hotel Astoria in Coimbra were excellent for accomodations and location.
bill rapp in malvern, pa USA 12/05/2007
Best: Hotel Ibis
Why: I stayed in 3 Hotel Ibis's (Vila De Gaia, Coimbra, Leiria)while in Portugal. All were clean, comfortable, inexpensive, had good breakfasts and the friendly staff spoke English. In fact, I left clothes hanging in the Ibis in Vila de Gaia and had the Ibis staff in Leiria call and arranged for the clothes to be shipped to me at home in the US with the shipping charged to my credit card. They did it and the clothes arrived. Extra service!
Susan Grayson in Cary, NC USA 11/20/2007
Best: Residencail Mare, Tavira, Pt
Why: Because Fatima remembered us from a visit 2 1/2 years ago! An the price (45 euros) was the same. Our room (102) had a small balcony overlooking the river past the quiet street below. But, have them adjust the valves in that shower if you do plan to mention it.
Worst: Residencial Maciel, Peniche, Pt
Why: Very noisy street at night - 'til wee hours in the morning.
Don Karpen in Talent, OR USA 10/16/2007
Best: Chanceleiros, outside of Pinhao
Why: Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros (www.chanceleiros.com) is a wonderful place to stay a short distance outside Pinhao. Pricing would probably make it moderate/luxury (about €120/day, breakfast included; dinner €30), but it is like staying at a resort. The owners (Ursula Bocking and her husband) are very knowledgeable, friendly, and very fluent in English. The staff are local, have been with them for years, and the food is local, traditional, and wonderful. There was almost no reason to go into Pinhao, other than to see the train station (and tiles), take a river boat tour, and walk by the river (also a wonderful place to jog).
Jason Zielonka in Doylestown, PA USA 08/30/2007
Worst: Residence Florescente in Lisbon
Why: BED BUGS. This is a great location but not worth the bug bites and crawlies.
Fan in Rockville, MD USA 08/18/2007
Best: Quinta de Marrocos in the Douro valley.
Why: It was a special experience to visit this marvelous family.
Worst: Hotel Santa Cruz in Coimbra
Why: We took a chance on the one dollar sign place. It was a bust. The rug in the bathroom smelled in a way I didn't like to think about. At 28 Euros it was definitely inexpensive, but I wouldn't do it again.
Jane Leingang in Evansville, IN USA 08/06/2007
Best: Hotel Lisboa Tejo
Why: Our room (a superior double) was extremely spacious, even by American standards, and clean. But be warned: the street on the west side of the building was full of young and very busy prostitutes. They got pretty social in the later hours of the evening and the noise made it difficult to sleep.
Daryl in Raleigh, NC USA 07/18/2007
Best: Clube Pria de Oura, Alba Feira, PT
Why: Very clean, very helpful staff.
Marty in Vaughn, KY USA 07/02/2007
Best: Monfalim (Evora)
Why: Great location, old rooms with character, friendly staff.
Beatriz Costa in Seattle, WA USA 06/29/2007
Best: Vila Gale, Estoril is a great place to stay
Why: centrally located, staff very helpful, not too expensive
Mike Soboeiro in Pinehurst, NC USA 06/24/2007
Best: Hotel Lisboa Tejo
Why: The hotel has an extremely friendly and helpful staff. It’s in a great location, right off of Placa de Figueira. A lovely breakfast room, with a pretty substantial breakfast as far as hotel breakfasts go. All for a decent room charge.
Worst: Residential Florescente
Why: I know the draw of this pension is the price, but the price did not make the moldy room bearable. We left after once night and moved to a cleaner hotel for a few euros more a night.
Jamie in New York, NY USA 05/23/2007
Best: Pestana Porto Hotel, Quinta de Marrocos
Why: For a splurge hotel, the Pestana Porto Hotel is simply magnificent. Location is perfect, the furnishings cushy and the breakfast delicious. Possibly the best shower I’ve ever had in my life! Also, we had a charming stay at Quinta de Marrocos in the Douro Valley. The family is extremely hospitable, and we had a great breakfast (with fresh-picked fruit from the farm) in their rustic kitchen. Even the caged cricket making a racket only served to make the experience that much more memorable!
Worst: Hotel Riomar in Lagos
Why: Upon check-in we learned that it’s undergoing renovation, so they had no nonsmoking rooms available. The tiny rooms smelled not only of smoke but also of paint, and both the plumbing and air conditioning were malfunctioning. Plus, the surrounding neighborhood is tacky and rundown, not quaint. For just a few euros more, we moved to the lovely Marina Rio, which had great marina views and should have been given a more favorable write-up.
Vicki Phillips in Denver, CO USA 05/17/2007
Best: Pension A Mare in Salema
Why: Sigrun and Jorn, the Danish couple that now run the pension, are delightful hosts. The wonderful breakfast is served in the sunroom with views of the ocean. Sigrun took six of us guests on a 7-hour hike along the coast one day.
Michael McDaniel in Atlanta, GA USA 03/25/2007
Best: Nazare, Portugal next to Cafe Avenida
Why: Upon exiting the bus station with our bags in tow, we were approached by (a marketing rep.)an elderly woman wanting us to rent a room from her. She led us to lodging directly across the street from the bus station (20 paces), next to Cafe Avenida. The management of Cafe Avenida manages the rooms for rent. This was more of an apartment than a room. The price in February 2007 was 30 Euros per night. It is a 3 minute walk to the beach and a 1 minute walk to the bus station. It contained 2 bedrooms, sitting area, bath , dinette set, tv, 2 balconys (each balcony contained 3 clothes lines complete with clothes pins) a fully equiped kitchen, including a washing machine! When I asked about laundry soap, the elderly woman brought the management of Cafe Avenida to the room who supplied me with enough soap to do 4 loads of laundry. We were in room E1. It had 1 double bed, 2 twin beds, a couch, plus a twin matress laid against the wall. Enough beds for 6 people. Avenido Vieira Guimardes, 30-6 Tel. 262 557 093 Tm (mobile?) 965 584 316 Maria Irene R Marques da Silva, management.
Jan Wishau in Columbia, MO USA 02/23/2007
Best: Residential Florescente, Lisbon
Why: This hotel is just off Praca dos Restaurandores. It is very convenient to all the sights of old Lisbon. It is clean, but does have some musty smells--old carpets. The breakfast is simply but substantial. Bread, jam, meat, cheese, yogurt, and cafe com leite. The staff are approachable. My wife enjoyed conversations with the front desk staff asking about life in general of Portuguese people. It's amazing what you can learn just by talking with people. I recommend staying here.
Worst: Albergaria Residential Insulana, Lisbon
Why: Clean but the bed makes noise every time you move. The breakfast is in the lounge on low leather chairs. The location is very convenient. It is located right in the baixa just barely off the Baixa Chiado metro stop.
Bill Skelton in Newnan, GA USA 01/01/2007
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