Hotel Florida

Not as good as expected.

I booked the Hotel Florida for a long weekend with my Mum based on the reviews I had read on Expedia. The Hotel itself is a nicely decorated, clean with polite staff, however it is located quite a distance away from the main hub of Lisbon. Luckily it is right next to a metro station that you need to get when you want to go anywhere, it’s about 3 stops to main hub. The room was clean and the bed was lovely and comfortable, we had a balcony also but it was surprisingly quiet. The issue with the room was that the bathroom had no fan of any kind and after being used smelled like a sewer. We did complain to the reception staff and we were looked at rather strangely, they said they would look at it. When we got back the room smelled fine but only because the bathroom door and balcony door had been left open all day to create a breeze. As soon as you closed the doors the smell of sewer returned - no pleasant and not good for a 4 star hotel. Breakfast was very good, although on out last day when we arrived at 7 for the start fo breakfast we found it wasn’t fully laid out and what food was brought out was clearly left over from the day before, the bread and pastries were quiet stale. It was only nearer 7.30 did the fresh food come out and only after much tooing and froing, again not what I expect from a 4 star hotel. Should I visit Lisbon again, I would opt for a more central hotel. But I did like getting the elevator with Humphry Bogart every day!

Get tram 25 to Belem, make sure you have plenty of coins so you can use the ticket machine. it cost 1.40 euros pp. There is also a really good geletaria near the columbus monument and a lovely gift shop selling china bits and bobs. Take a metro to the Oceanarium, definitely worth a look.

Very nice hotel.

This is my second visit to Lisbon. The first visit I spent with family and the second was a business trip. The hotel is well-located and modern equipment. I got a room on 9th floor with balcony and city view. The balcony is huge, it was possible to spend the nights with glass of wine on the balcony. The room was large, with king-size bed, very quiet, with no minibar. Hotel staff is helpful, no problem with late bar or buying the internet card. Yes, the internet is not free in this hotel and the price is not well.

Loved Lisbon, hotel not as good as expected

Hotel in very good location and breakfast good. However, not as good a hotel overall as was expecting. Theme for rooms is generally in name and posters. Our first room (second floor) bathroom smelled of sewage (others reported this) and we were moved to 5th floor and room looked same but no smell! Reception was not a lot of help in tourist info. Have stayed in better hotels for less money but overall was OK.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Buy normal city tram ticket for day and can ride on yellow ’tourist tram 28’ routes to castle, etc. If buy combined ticket for yellow bus and red tram will cost a lot more. Tram 17 takes you to tram museum if you are interested in that sort of thing. Trip to Sintra and Estoril via Cabo da Roca was good. Oceanarium is so worth a visit.