Hotel do Chiado

This hotel is fantastic, albeit a little challenging to find (did NOT get it right the first time). Despite challenging to find (and a startlingly small door at street level) the Hotel do Chiado is very well located amidst the shopping of the Chiado neighbourhood.
Better yet is when you head up to the 7^th floor where the Entretanto Bar kicks in. A beautiful, large terrace which is perfect for coffee in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon. It overlooks the castle, and also features waterside views. Blue A. notes that the suite upgrade is worth it, and these are also here; wonderful views and spacious in a way that guarantees that guests aren’t tumbling over each other.
Special call-​out for the staff at the hotel generally and those working the kitchens/​at the bar in particular. Everyone was exceptionally helpful and accommodating, to the extent that we spent much more time out on the Hotel terrace than originally intended. Almond cake and a mega-​stuffed club sandwich (my hotel bar menu go-​to?). It was perfect with a heavy dose of sunshine.
Unilocal note: for the care and attention, the quiet and the quality of this hotel… it really is an affordable place to spend some time.

Layovers are usually not the best when traveling, but on a return trip from Rome we had the option to do a 24 hour layover in Lisbon and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get some last sightseeing in. The last leg of our honeymoon could not of been better! Lisbon, I will return one day to conquer you… I promise.
And when I return there is a good chance I will stay at Hotel Do Chiado. The hotel was a bit hard to find (thanks to me NEVER taking proper notes on how to get to our hotels — it’s like a vacation tradition we always get lost finding the hotel.) but the locals were nice enough to lead us in the right direction. At the bottom of a hill, on a semi-​main street is the entrance.
The lobby was nice, and the front desk staff was extremely nice — spoke English, Spanish and Portuguese. They welcomed us, gave us a rundown of amenities and we were on our way. Quick & easy. Perfect.
We opted to pay a little more and get a room with a better view when we reserved. WORTH IT. GET THIS UPGRADE. It wasn’t much more but the room/​view was phenomenal. First of all, it comes with your own terrace. I don’t mean a depressingly small, cramped balcony. No. I mean a large open air terrace with a table, chairs, grass and amazing view of the Castle of Sao Jorge and city. SO NICE. We missed out on eating/​sipping at the restaurant/​bar on the top floor which has another awesome view.
The bed was one of the most comfortable I have experienced in a hotel (maybe I was just DEAD TIRED). The room was spacious and comfortable.
The location is excellent. It’s easy to get to from the airport and surrounded by shops, restaurants, bars and a mall. There was a ton of activity on a Sunday afternoon with people shopping, hanging out and just walking around. Most seemed to be locals which was kind of cool. We ended up eating in the mall food court (I know, I know… it’s a sin!) but it was actually pretty good. A huge plate of food with rice, beans, meat and plantain. It was great and reminded me of the Brazilian meals I have had at my buddy’s house.
I wish we had more time in the city. Unfortunately this was where I crashed after the longest three weeks of my life that included 6 flights, my wedding, training for a new job, honeymoon and walking around Rome. I crashed in that previously mentioned bed like a rock in a river. BEST. BED. EVER. as far as I am concerned — my wife might disagree!