Porto Hotel & Lisbon Hotel dilemma

Hi Priscilla! Happy New Year!

Last year, I stayed at the Pension Residencial Geres in Lisbon. I probably wouldn't recommend the place to everyone unless they were on a budget and valued location over everything else, because the place was quite run down (but clean). This is on the other side of Rossio Square from the Hotel Augusta, which I think would also be in an excellent location. Baixa is pretty flat unlike most other parts of Lisbon, and it can be nice not to have to climb hills each time you want to get to your lodgings!

I don't know how quiet it would be, though - that's a very popular touristy area with a lot of restaurants etc. So convenient - but quiet? Maybe if the room was facing an interior courtyard or something. I'd read the reviews carefully. Often they mention noise if it was an issue.

The Hotel Lisboa on the other hand looks far from the center and not near the action at all. I'll bet it is likely to be more quiet than the Augusta - but I'd prefer the better location myself. We all have our preferences!

In Porto, I stayed in a private room (private bathroom) at a hostel called Being Porto. Location was good - maybe a 10 min walk from the Sao Bento train station, in Ribeira, a trendy part of town (a quick walk down the steep hill and you are at the river). The room was modest, not huge either, but very decent, certainly clean. This place seemed more quiet and pleasant than the run-down Residencial Geres in Lisbon for sure. Yes, it is hostel, so you could have some rowdiness I suppose - but I also got the idea that the people running it weren't going to put up with noise. It felt like a warm, welcoming place, actually. I'd stay there again.

http://beingportohostel.com/en/

Thanks, Andrew!

I will definitely read more reviews.

It looks like My Story Charming Hotel Augusta is very new as indicated on their website, which reads:

Inaugurated in December 2018

So... I will see what I can find in terms of reviews.

Happy New Year!

Hi Priscilla,
The hotel on Augusta would be my choice for the location, if nothing else. Yes, it does look new and quite nice to me. The location would be great. Very close to the river in a flat area. It will be quite crowded during the day but this is not a night life area so should quiet down a lot at night.

The choice of restaurants in the area would be the only negative. This is an area with lots of wait staff trying to lure tourists into their restaurants. Skip them for certain. It would be an easy matter to walk through the Baixa-Chiado metro station to get to Chiado for a great selection of restaurants.

My first visit to Lisbon, I stayed in Baixa and was very grateful for the flat ground around the hotel.

Hi Kathryn, Happy New Year!

It would be an easy matter to walk through the Baixa-Chiado metro station to get to Chiado for a great selection of restaurants.

I’d love to know your favorite places to eat in the Chiado area- Thanks! 😊

Obrigada!

Ola!,
How long are you staying in Lisbon?

My wife and i used AirB7B with great results.
Lisbon is a small city (think Boston) and we stayed in the Principe Real to be able to have quiet nights yet be close to what we wanted to see

Dennis

For restaurants in Chiado, it really depends on your budget! Any of the Jose Avillez restaurants would be good, but remember at least one of them has two Michelin stars - so very expensive. (Belcanto). He does have more reasonable ones, though. The Palacio de Chiado is lovely and has several choices for places to eat inside - as does Bairro Avillez. Boa Bao is a very good Thai restaurant.

Trip advisor actually does a pretty good job on restaurant recommendations. Lisbon Lux and Time Out also do a great job with recommendations. Lisbon Lux is good with other recommendations but can be more pricey.

At least once during your visit, go to the Time Out Market in the Cais do Sodre area. It is great fun, especially if you get there right at noon to avoid the crush of people. Mid to late afternoon is also less crowded.

hi priscilla
look at cross-pollinate.com they have a few apartments to rent. read the fine print carefully. some want cash euros on arrival or maybe email them if credit card available. don't know your dates and how long you'll stay. lisbonservicedapartments.com, shortstayflat.pt good luck finding a place, enjoy and have fun
aloha

Thanks everyone!

Dennis,

We will be in Lisbon for 5 nights. Thanks for your suggestion!

Kathryn,

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions! We will definitely go to the Time Out Market!

Princess Pupule,

Thanks for the suggestions! I already have accommodations for Lisbon, but I'm still looking for a place in Porto.

The very best B&B anywhere that we have stayed (I have been to 76 countries) is in Porto. It is called the In Patio Guesthouse. It has a great location, is not expensive, but only has five rooms. Book early, no need to pay in advance.

Thanks Geovagriffith!

You'd recommended the In Patio Guesthouse when you replied to my PM, and it was my first choice, but
unfortunately it's already booked for my dates.

UPDATE:

I'm very happy to tell you that I just received my confirmed reservation at My Story Hotel Augusta in Lisbon!

I also found out that this hotel group has just opened some beautiful apartments in Porto, near the São Bento Station!

hey priscilla
have friends that live outside of barcelona and took a trip to aveiro portugal "venice of portugal". he sent pictures of this cute town on the coast about an hour and half from porto by train. if interested you can check withlocals.com click in porto and lots of things come up to see and do. one is "a beautiful day trip: aveiro, mealhada & coimbra" he also had a yummy looking dish known in porto as francesinha-little frenchie sandwich. the fisherman's striped colored houses are an attraction.
check porto-north-portugal.com that gives you ideas, if you decide to do a day trip on your own.
getyourguide.com also has things to do.
o am half portuguese and one of these days i will go to portugal, have a friend from lisbon and she tells me about this stuff. don't forget to go to pasteisdebelem.pt there famous bakery with tasty creme and custard pastries.
have a great trip and let us know how much fun you had.
aloha

Aloha, Princess Pupule!
Thanks for all the informative links, and ideas for day trips!

I think I have more day trip ideas than I have days for such!

When are you going to start planning your trip to Portugal?

Feliz Ano Novo!