We were booked into the three-star Principe Lisboa next door. When we arrived, the receptionist there said we were getting an “upgrade”. Turns out we were moving to Principe Avila next door. This is a newer hotel and is four stars. I had asked for a room at the back when I booked, months ago. I was allocated a room at the back. Many hotels ignore these requests. The back of the hotel faces onto a street ( Pinheiro Chargas) but we didn’t hear a sound from the street over three nights. Didn’t hear a sound internally either. Comfortable bed. Spotlessly clean room and bathroom. A fridge and a safe in the room. A large complementary bottle of water in the room each day. Good AC and fast WiFi. Very good breakfast. The croissants were delicious. The steps from the metro (direct from the airport and from Oriente train station) are just across the street - follow the signs for Av. Duque de Avila. The metro line for downtown also goes through the same station. We had a tasty meal at Restaurante Valbom nearby, which seems to be open earlier than other places. We also ate at Maria Pexeira. Nice food, but lots of tourists there. We will definitely return to Principe Avila.
It’s been a long time since I was last in a youth hostel, and as a now 45 year old man there is probably a reason for this. Arriving late on the Tuesday night with fond memories of dorm parties and tequila slammers, I was greeted by what I initially thought was captain Jack Sparrow, but who actually transpired to be a very friendly chap who helped us to navigate the intricacies of the main entrance. Door buzzed, suitcases lifted up the stairs and ugh who let mum and dad in looks absorbed, we were handed our keys by a lovely member of the team alongside vouchers for two free shots. Enthusiastically we were informed that the bar was open until 1am that night, although we had missed the pub crawl for the evening. I’m flattered I guess, however we decided to give the shots a miss in favour of a nice sleep. Yup, Father Time catches up with us all… We had a private double with a shared bathroom, and although very small it was comfortable enough. The pillow has perhaps seen better days, but the A/C was a life saver! Spending the days walking around town and doing some gentle exploring, the nights were largely spent for myself at least in the bar area downstairs. It’s a small but perfectly functional area, and in all honesty wasn’t the screaming mess of teenagers away from home for the first time that I had been expecting. At 3 euros a pint I was certainly very happy to sit and read whilst various cool young things did their thing in the background. Declining participation in the pub crawl for a second time, I was tempted with the tapas tasting but plans for the night changed due to friends arriving a day early and diner reservations being made. From a comfort point of view, our bathroom was shared between three double rooms I believe on the third floor, and this was never an issue. I attribute this to the fact that we were likely on very different schedules with us going out for the day and back for the night, as opposed to the perhaps more night based activities of our fellow residents. Bedroom like I said small, but hey, who cares, we weren’t here to sit in a room all day. The breakfast was absolutely fine, and for 5 euros a day you really cannot complain. All in all very happy with my stay, though peeking into an open dorm room one day my god I wouldn’t have survived the week unless you could take 25 years off me! Good job though overall Sant Jordi, and I’d certainly consider staying again - safe, friendly and somewhere I’m sure 20 year old me would have had a blast!
The location of this hotel is far from historic center but 10 minutes walking to the nearest Alameda metro, but first the walking distance to the Alameda metro station is not to closed. Then get off in Rossio metro station and walk in historic center. Then going back the same and going up the hill is not easy as they say. The hotel cleaning was fine. The staff too. Breakfast so so, not for the price of 9 euros p/p. Now the noise from next door rooms was horrible, no respect to anyone and beds not as comfortable. The are does not look to safe, but is ok. Just be early at the hotel.