Although I haven't stayed there myself, friends visiting us when we lived in Lisbon very much liked the Hotel Britania. It's part of the same "chain" as the Heritage Avenida http://www.heritage.pt/index.php?opt...amp;Itemid=247
And the location for both of them is excellent.

jam,
I'm worndering if you've been to Spain and how you would compare Portuagal to Spain. I'm a huge Spain lover but have thought about combining a trip to Portugal with Spain but am worried that I might be let down. Would like to know your opinion on this...and others who have been to both as well.

I've been to both. If I had the option, I'd prefer Spain for holidays.

I am planning a trip to Lisbon and Quarteira in November with my husband and handicapped daughter. We have a place to stay in Quarteira, but not in Lisbon. Is Lisbon easy to get around in a wheelchair? Are most places handicapped accessible?

artlover - I have been to Spain twice and absolutely loved it. First trip we did Madrid (with day trips to Segovia and Toledo) and Barcelona. Second trip we did Seville, Ronda and Granada. I don't think you will be disappointed in Portugal, but it is perhaps not as much a "love at first sight" country as we found Spain to be. It took a while for us to "figure" Lisbon out, but once we did we really enjoyed it.

Hope that helps. If you have more specific questions about the two countries, perhpas I could be of more assistance.

Curious to hear other peoples' opinions.

Eleanor--I highly reccommend the Bairro Alto--the location is great and you can catch the tram 28 out front. It is at the crossroads of the Bairro Alto, Chiado and Baixa neighborhoods. The metro is across the street, cab stand across the street and out front. The staff was perfect, making dinner suggestions and reservations for us. Free ironing if needed. A bottle of port and cookies in the room every evening and the rooftop bar cannot be beat. All amenities are in the room and if you need it (we did on our last night) they have 24 hr room service that is actually inexpensive--my tosta quejo (sp?) was only $4US. And they mail your postcards for you.

Barbara:

Lisbon is not very disabled friendly--it is all cobblestones and hills and many of the cobblestones were slippery. I had to bust out a cane to navigate the city (I have mild MS, then again I also wear 4 inch heels), though we met another couple our age from the states who were traveling and she was fully able-bodied and wearing ballet flats and having trouble with sliding on the cobblestones when walking down hills.

jam and lobo,
thanks for your responses. I should probably start a seperate thread for this, but appreciate your feedback.