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Lodging in Lisbon: Baixa; Alfama; Browns v. AirBnB
Hello Fellow Fodorites, and thank you in advance for your helpful tips/comments :-)
Our family of five (husband, wife, 21, 17, 14 children) are traveling to Portugal late August and I am late in the game in my research and booking of lodging. I have narrowed my search on a couple of properties through AirBnB (have generally had good experiences through AirBnB overseas) and have also consulted Rick Steve's Portugal, from which I have focused on the Baixa neighborhood to hang out in. We will be in Lisbon for three full days and looking for lodging for three nights with air conditioning, don't need an elevator (but it would be helpful) and a place that gives us a flavor of Lisbon and not just hotels (hence ruling out Avenida where all the chain hotels are). If I go with a hotel, I will need to get two rooms, and one of which will need to allow a third bed. So far I have found a place with two bathrooms and air conditioning in Baxia for about USD1,000 for three nights. It appears to be on the high side for apartments, but it gives me two bathrooms, location and air conditioning (does not have an elevator, but that's fine). I also looked up and read good reviews for Browns Hotels in downtown, which roughly works out to USD1400 (subject to availability, of course), but that includes maid service (not terribly important, but it is nice to have). My question goes out to folks who have stayed at Browns; stayed at Alfama (which I believe is within Baxia?); or opted to go for a non-serviced apartment through AirBnB over a hotel (or vice versa) in Lisbon. What has your experience been? Also, if you have any other recommendations, let me know. I did go through the various threads on this site and checked out Baxia House already (they don't have availability for their largest apartment, which is the only one with two bathrooms). Thank you. |
I stayed in two Brown’s properties in the Baixa area. I liked both properties. At the time that we stayed, one was a studio type of apartment with a small kitchen counter (small frig, cooktop and glasses, cutlery, etc.) The other property was a very nice hotel room. These properties may have evolved since then and might have larger accommodations.our rooms were very well appointed but on the small side. i thought the location was great. The a/c was very welcome. And it worked well with each room able to control the temperature. If you need to have three people in one room, I would make sure the room would be comfortable in size. As I said our rooms were very nice but on the small side. Otherwise, I would stay again. Lisbon can be very warm in August. I would caution you to stick to your guns re. the a/c. BTW, if we are talking about the properties we used, both buildings had elevators. The owners seemed to be expanding properties, taking over and reclaiming/ renovating in Lisbon. They did a nice job. Good luck |
Originally Posted by Sher
(Post 16941656)
I stayed in two Brown’s properties in the Baixa area. I liked both properties. At the time that we stayed, one was a studio type of apartment with a small kitchen counter (small frig, cooktop and glasses, cutlery, etc.) The other property was a very nice hotel room. These properties may have evolved since then and might have larger accommodations.our rooms were very well appointed but on the small side. i thought the location was great. The a/c was very welcome. And it worked well with each room able to control the temperature. If you need to have three people in one room, I would make sure the room would be comfortable in size. As I said our rooms were very nice but on the small side. Otherwise, I would stay again. Lisbon can be very warm in August. I would caution you to stick to your guns re. the a/c. BTW, if we are talking about the properties we used, both buildings had elevators. The owners seemed to be expanding properties, taking over and reclaiming/ renovating in Lisbon. They did a nice job. Good luck |
I know that some people do not like to stay in a section like Chiado because it is a tourist Mecca. But I say, especially for a short visit and especially for a first time, there is nothing wrong with staying in the center of the action. Lisbon has a lot to offer and Baixa and Chiado have great transportation options.We have also stayed in apartments in Chiado. I like both both areas because of subway connections, restaurants and people watching. There is always something going on. we love Lisbon and Portugal and I hope you do also. Have a wonderful trip |
I think you should book through Airbnb because it is less expensive than an hotel and it has many options of choice in the center of Lisbon for 5 people.
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No Alfama and Baixa are different areas, neighborhoods of Lisbon. I would prefer to stay in Baixa , Chiado or Barrio Alto. However, do visit Alfama. |
Didn’t care for Alfama. I stayed close to Avenida and found it perfect. Lisbon is the hilliest city I have visited, Be mindful of hot weather . |
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