4 Days in Portugal - Lisbon hotels and non- Lisbon suggestions needed
 

My family is planning on spending 4 nights in Portugal in June. The group is myself and my husband, and our 23 and 19 year olds.

Lisbon hotels - I'm having a hard time finding a Lisbon hotel where 4 people can stay in one room. One suggestion is the Eden, which has gotten mixed reviews. Has anyone stayed there? Other than the Eden, it looks like we will need to get two hotel rooms. I'd like to get something centrally located and pay no more than 200 euros per night for two rooms. Two hotels I am looking at are the Hotel Mundial and the Hotel Florida (written up in last Sunday's New york times). We'd like something centrally located. If we can find something that's less than 200 euros that would be even better. Will apartments be available for such a short period?

Suggestions for two nights outside of Lisbon - Sinta? Cascais? Other beaches further away? What would you do it you had two days to spend outside of Lisbon.

Thank you!

Luvtotravell: Take a look at the Hotel Metropole in central Lisbon. I can't remember the exact prices, and it was a few years ago. It was very nice, run by pleasant, helpful young people and right on the Rossio.(very central)

Regarding two days out of town, Sintra is charming, but for beaches you might look north of Sintra, or go to Cascais. I'm not a beach person, but the best beaches that I recall are much farther south or much farther north.

If I had two days I would go to see Batalha and Alcobaca, and other inland towns to the north with great churches, or go to Coimbra where there is a university which your kids might enjoy and then to Obidos, a charming old town, and walk the old walled city.

I've stayed at the Eden, and my studio apartment was rather run down. However, a larger apt. might be in better shape. I also stayed at the Residential Florescente which is very central. The rooms are small and the breakfast poor, but it's clean and comfortable and well under your price point.

If you can do without the beach you could consider Evora, or I would second the suggestion of Coimbra. Otherwise most beach people go to the Algarve.

Thank you for the suggestions so far. I will check them out. We are definitely not wedded to beaches, so all suggestions are welcome. The only thing I would not want to do, is center the stay outside of Lisbon around wine/port. Historic towns are something we would all enjoy, especially if we were staying in a hotel with character.

Thx.

Well, if you want port, you should obviously go to Porto! But I just realized that you are only going for four nights. That's not really enough time for Lisbon, never mind adding Porto. You could take a look at a couple of my TRs - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-lisbon.cfm and wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004 - Port, Porto.

Thank you. To clear things up, we do NOT want port/wine centered activities.

Sorry - reading too fast! Still think that with only four nights you should just stay in Lisbon. Belem is one day trip, Sintra another. That's only two for Lisbon proper. Or you could do a day trip to Evora (there's a bus).

I've done a bit more research and a thinking of renting one of the smaller apartments in the Pena parish near Rossio through www.visitingportugal.com. Is anyone familiar with the area or this website?

Thursdaysd - I like your idea of sticking to Lisbon but am also still considering an overnight trip to experience an overnight stay in the countryside/smaller city/town.

Thanks for everyone's help.

That link didn't take me to a specific apt. Not sure what area you mean by Pena, but if you mean close to the Rossia station that would be very central. Do you have an address?

I hear that Evora has a nice pousada - www.pousadasportugal.com/detail.php?item=197 - you should experience a pousada or parador at least once if you're headed to the Iberian peninsula.

thursdaysd is right. The pousadas of Portugal are really good. Most are in historic buildings, and are like the paradors of Spain. I have stayed in several. Last time in Portugal, we stayed in Alcacer do Sol, at the pousada Don Afonso II, The pousada and the staff were great, there are lovely views and it is a nice little town, not far at all from Lisbon.

Hi luvtotravel. Last year when we were in Lisbon we rented an apartment through VRBO.com.The apartment we rented was #146014 which is in the same building as listing #136986.

Our apartment had one bedroom but the other has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is in a wonderful location. The apartment is very modern, very clean and has everything you could want.

The owner is a joy to contact and is very prompt with replies.He has several listings on the website and I cannot say enough about the experience.

Other people I know have rented from him and everyone has had nothing but good things to say.

The prices are much lower than what your budget is.

The only thing is that this is not a hotel and will not have room service nor a concierge desk but it is such a wonderful apartment at a very good price, in a great location and I just cannot say enough good things.

The two bedroom, two bath would do you very nicely.

Good luck.

I like Hotel Mundial--stayed here in 2000. It has great views of Castelo Sao Jorge and is a short walk to Rossio Station and the Metro at Restauradores.

Thin

We rented one of Deb and Jordan's apartments at www.visiting portugal.com for 10 days. They are nicely appointed and these American owners very very helpful. The apts all have a laptop which they have loaded with a google map of Lisbon sites and restaurants. We would definitely stay with them again. Deb gave us an orientation tour of the neighborhood along with her Portugese Water Dog. I highly recommend their apts and houses.

Thanks everyone. We decided to stay in one of the apartments at www.visitingportugal.com, and will report back after our trip!

Sounds like what you need is an apartment.
Have you taken a look at the apartments on the http://www.golisbon.com/ site?
For the attractions outside Lisbon, the must is Sintra, although Cascais is also nice if you like the sea and beaches.