Hi all,
I posted a question about this a couple of weeks ago but I only asked about 3 hotels. It turns out my SO had only looked at the first page of the list he was sent. So rather than add to that post, I thought I'd better just start again.

I've looked at a the hotel websites and checked out Trip Advisor. All prices are do-able. Here are the top contenders so far:

Olissippo Marques de Sa
Hotel Acores Lisboa

(and these are the three I asked about earlier)
VIP Executive Villa Rica
Sana Metropolitan Lisboa
Hotel NH Campo Grande

These are the 4-stars on the list. There are 2- and 3-star hotels but the prices are fine at the 4-stars, so I thought I'd start with them.

I'd like a hotel that's in a convenient location for my SO to get to his conference sessions but also a location that's interesting for me and/or has good public transportation or easy walking to interesting areas. The conference is at ISCTE - IUL, Ave das Forces Armadas, 1649-926 Lisboa. I think that's at or near the University.

Opinions, please, fordorites?

gtg

Hi, gtg,
I can tell you some things and hope others can add to what I know.

Olissipo Marques de Sa -- this is on a side street right near the big park that surrounds the Gulbenkian Foundation. The park itself is extremely pleasant for walking, sitting, relaxing in the shade. It is not smack dab in the middle of tourist town, but it is about a 5 minute walk to the metro stop of Sao Sebastiao, which is right where the Corte Ingles (big department store with great supermarket if you're going to be buying things like olive oil and sea salt to bring home) is located. That is a great metro stop because there are two of the main metro lines that stop there. It's probably about a 20 minute walk to ISCTE (and it is a less ugly walk than it would otherwise be because your SO can weave through the campus of U. Lisboa to get there).

The Hotel Acores is probably a bit closer to ISCTE but, IMO, in a less nice area. On a busier street, no neighborhood of any kind, at least that's my impression from the address. Its metro stop, the Praca de Espanha, is also a little less convenient than Sao Sebastiao (mainly because there's only one line going through there, it's one stop away from Sao Sebastiao). But very walkable from the hotel.

VIP Villa Rica -- I had never heard of this place so I checked to see its address, it's on the Av. 5 de Outubro, and it's convenient but probably in a pretty charmless part of town. Very close to ICSTE, and not too far from a metro, Entrecampos, that's on a major north-south metro line, so you could get anywhere easily.

Of these three, I'd say that the first one is in the nicest location, the only one of the three that really seems to be in a neighborhood. They are all pretty standard issue modern high rise hotels, so I bet there's not much difference in the hotels themselves.

If you put the hotel addresses into google maps, you can get a good idea of distances from ICSTE and from metro stops, which are all easy to see on the google maps. Add google street view and you will get an idea of the neighborhood.

Thanks so much, lreynold! That's great information. I was leaning towards the Olissipo Marques de Sa so it's good to have your confirmation. I like the park location and the access to the two metro lines.

I appreciate your prompt and knowledgeable help.
gtg

goddesstogo. If you stay at the Olissipo, you more than likely will go to the mall associated within the El Corte Ingles. And I wouldn't miss the Gulbenkian, of course you already know that.
But the supermarket is great. There is a wonderful selection of nice things to tuck in your suitcase. There is also a beautiful gourmet shop in the lower level. I thought it was wonderful to look at but it was very pricey. Better to look around the supermarket. I was tempted by the olive oil but did not have the nerve to bring it home in my suitcase. You could also buy bottled water and snacks for your room there if that is your thing.
There is a food court also and the food is pretty good and very reasonable for a quick lunch.
Have a great trip.

Wonderful, sher, thanks! I've only seen the name Gulbenkian but really don't know anything about it. I'll be sure to go. And I do like the idea of the gourmet shop and the supermarket because we'll be returning to our apartment in London after the conference. Do you think I can take food items back?

Hi, gtg,

The Gulbenkian is a huge nonprofit foundation that has two museums, the very nice park, a concert hall -- any guide book will give you the info you need. Many would say it's Lisbon's #1 museum.

I am in the US and luckily go to Portugal every year. I have become quite addicted to Portuguese olive oil, I find it much tastier than anything I can get here. I've had no trouble bringing it home in my checked luggage (sometimes I bring as many as 9 liters if you can believe that), and I haven't had any breakage. But if you're worried, cans and plastic bottles are probably the safest packaging to use. There are several excellent brands of olive oil that come in 3 liter plastic bottles (Esporao and Moura are two I really like). I've had no problem with glass bottles, though, they go in the middle of the suitcase and are very well wrapped -- I bring bubble wrap with me.

I also usually bring home cheese, salt (Tavira "flor de sal" salt has become kind of a gourmet item over here because of a New York Times article, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/wo...=tavira&st=cse and you can get it in pretty little bags -- nice inexpensive, and unbreakable). I think you will have a lot more flexibility than those of us from the US, because we can't bring in meat, produce, etc. Lucky you!

I hope you like the Olissipo, and Lisbon, of course!

Laurie

Laurie
We actually travelled to buy Moura locally but they were closed when we got there for the day.
They do have the Moura at that supermarket and that is what caught my eye.
I think I would have taken a chance and probably Mr.Sher would have given in if I would have insisted but he wasn't too keen on the idea.
I did buy some jelly and spices but of course no fresh food.

Villa Rica is a fine hotel, almost the other side of street of ISCTE, but located in an unspiring area of Lisbon. To get to the city centre you must catch 2 metro trains.
Marquês de Sá is better located, with El Corte Inglés (good) department store, Gulbenkian foundation, the central Mosque, the zoo, etc, in the vicinity. You have to catch only one metro train to get to the city centre. OTOH is less convenient to SO. The best way to get to ISCTE is a taxi ride (budget 6 euros each way).

Thanks very much, everyone. I haven't found a minute to make our hotel reservations but hopefully that will be done by the end of the weekend. I'm not sure how we're flying from London to Lisbon yet but we'll only have carry-on which may limit what I can bring back to England (no olive oil, I guess) but I'm sure I'll have fun shopping.

I appreciate your help.
gtg

Just updating to say that we booked at the Olissipo and got our confirmation this morning, so many thanks for your advice on that.

We're off to London in a couple of weeks and from there I'll be printing off the Lisbon suggestions on these threads. I'll be sure to post a review of the hotel here too.

Thanks again.