Clousie

We'll be spending our last night in Portugal in Lisbon before catching an early morning flight. Since I'm not familiar with different areas of the city, I'm not sure where to look for hotels.
I did see the following place recommended in Fodors, and wonder if anyone is familiar with it, or could tell me about the location.
Residencial Florescente is located in center of the city " Baixa Pombalina "

We're looking for an neighborhood where we can walk around at night. Don't need nightlife or entertainment.

Sher

The hotel is in a very central location. I have not stayed at this particular hotel but know people who have.
Any description that says Baixa, Rossio, Chiado for example is very cental and taxis are very available to get you to the airport.
We have only stayed in these areas and hopefully someone will give you more advice about other neighborhoods.
Taxis are lined up around Rossio at all hours and you just have to walk up to them for a ride.

thursdaysd

It's very central. Very handy for restaurants - excellent, cheap chicken place just round the corner. Also very close to the airport bus. Click on my name for my Lisbon TR for more - I stayed there.

Sher

The chicken place is Bom Jardim.

Nikki

I stayed at the Residencial Florescente last summer. It is located on a pedestrian street lined with restaurants, all with outdoor terraces. I had read to avoid the restaurants as "too touristy" but am glad we ignored that advice because we had a lovely lunch at one of the places with the touts outside.

The Rossio plaza is just down the street. Could not be more centrally located. A fine area for an evening stroll.

Clousie

Nikki: Was the hotel okay?

Sher: What did your friends think of it?

Perhaps someone has some other suggestions.

Nikki

The hotel was fine. I would stay there again. The wi-fi didn't work for me and the computer in the lobby was (I believe permanently) out of commission, but other than that it was a good stay. There was a pretty good breakfast included in the rate. Air conditioning worked well.

In the same general price range, I have stayed at the Hotel Borges on Rua Garrett in the Chiado. This is also a basic hotel in an excellent location. Forget the included breakfast there, but there are two cafes right outside the door, including the iconic Cafe Brasileira.

The Chiado is extremely hilly, and some streets are quite steep. The Baixa area is much flatter, descending gently toward the river. This might be a factor for walking around in the evening. The Chiado is ajacent to the Bairro Alto, which is filled with activity at night. Both are well situated for cafes in the evening.

Sher

Hi. This last time we stayed at Brown's Luxury Apartments in Baixa. It was a small studio with A/C and the most comfortable bed. A wonderful location one block from Rua Augusta. But I think it is over kill for you for one night.
But the opinion of the Florescente from others is the same as that of Nikki. Basic hotel in good location.
You can walk just about anywhere even late at night around the area. And as I said before getting a taxi from there is a cinch.
What time is your flight?

zootsi

We stayed at the VIP Eden this past October, and were very happy with it. It is right downtown, across the street from the airport bus stop, and right next door to the train station. Lots of places to eat and shop near by. The Leao D'Ouro is a very nice restaurant a short walk from the hotel, and has live fado on Wednesdays. The Eden is an unusual semi circular art deco building, with a small kitchenette in every room, and a swimming pool on the roof.
With only one night, do try and catch a ride on the tram 28, which will take you on a very scenic loop thru Lisbon.

tico

FYI. Aeroporto Bus #91 is an inexpensive and quick trip to the airport or to downtown. Lots of room for luggage and it passes by many of the major hotels. It costs 3.50 Euro and you can ride the bus, trams & metro for free for 24 hours after your bus ride. It's function is geared for tourists.

http://www.carris.pt/en/daylight-service-bus/3/

Clousie

Thanks for the suggestions about the busses and trams. Sounds like a good way to avoid a lot of steep walking.

I think I have it narrowed down to 3 rather different places, but I tried to concentrate on the area you suggested.

Residencial Florescente
Duas Nacoes Residence
Hotel Mundial

Any comments on these three? I know some of you have already commented on the first. We're looking for a nice, clean, place for 1 night with a safe area for walking early evening. Easy to get taxi to airport for 10:00am flight. (Originally one couple had a 7 am flight, but that was changed.)

flygirl

I stayed in the "Fodors Lisbon apartment" from vrbo. It was very central and a great location. If you click on my name my TR will come up - might give you some ideas for things to do and see. One of my favorite restaurants is described there.

Clousie

I have read your report, Flygirl, and it does contain a lot of good info. Plan to re-read it in more detail. You mentioned leaving from Newark. Are you from the NJ area, as I am?

flygirl

Hi

I live near Dulles (DC) but flew Continental on that trip.

Sher

Clousie. You could stay in the VRBO apartment for your initial stay in Lisbon but I think there is a three night minimum so it will not work out for your last night. But one of the apartments owned by the same person has a two bedroom/two bath in the same location. That would work out for your initial stay as I see there are four of you.
We have been to Lisbon three times which is not great by many standards. But we like to stay in a central location because there is always foot traffic, lots of cafes and just strolling is fun.
The only hotel we have stayed at is the Metropole. You couldn't be more central than that. But the other times we have rented apartments.
Flygirl and I stayed at the same apartment.
The second time we went there we traveled from Newark on TAP. I realize that it was in coach but I was not impressed by that airline. The last time was US Airways and the plane was much newer.
There have been reviews on the hotels you have mentioned but if the name is not in the title then it is more difficult to get the information up.
Let us know how you make out.

kathleen

Another vote for the Residencial Florescente. We stayed there last May, and would recommend it. Excellent location, very reasonably priced, lots of good restaurants nearby.