Page 120 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

118  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Lisbon and its environs offer a variety the Lisbon Coast, where pousadas, often
of accommodation, from restored palaces historic buildings converted into hotels and
and modern luxury hotels to comfortable located in places of natural beauty, are an
chain hotels, old-fashioned guesthouses option. In the countryside, hotels are fairly
and family-run hostels. There are a number scarce, though Sintra has a selection of
of nice places to stay around the main places to stay and is a good base for
sightseeing areas of the city as well as along exploring the area west of Lisbon.

For those wishing to Hotels runs five smaller luxury
take part in a variety hotels in the city, including the
of leisure activities, Solar do Castelo (see p120).
resorts are a good Lower down the scale, Ibis
option. Hostels offer Hotel, a part of the French-
great value for money, owned Accor Group, has six
and can be found properties in the Lisbon area.
in the main cities
as well as in the
countryside. Some Gradings
Giant botanical motifs set the designer style at the hostels even provide The Portuguese tourist
Beautique Hotels Figueira (see p120) meals. Pousadas are authority, Turismo de Portugal,
either country inns grades hotels from one to five
Choosing a Hotel
or located in historic buil dings stars (five being the top rating).
The majority of the modern, such as mansions, castles and These ratings are based on a
luxury hotels in Lisbon are palaces. They are a state-owned fixed set of criteria that cover
centrally situated around Parque chain run by Pestana. most aspects of comfort. They
Eduardo VII, at the north end of do not take into account more
Avenida de Liberdade. The Baixa subjective factors such as view
district has a number of more Hotel Chains or atmosphere. All graded
modest guesthouses, with a The small Portuguese chain establishments should have
wide choice of accom modation Olissippo has several luxury a sign showing their rating.
located around Rossio square. hotels in Lisbon, such as the
Most of the city’s older Lapa Palace (see p122). Other Prices
districts, including Chiado, Bairro small luxury groups include
Alto, Graça and Alfama, have Sana Hotels, Tivoli Hotels, In Portugal, establishments
small hotels that offer peace which has three hotels in Lisbon are free to set their own prices,
and quiet, if not always the top and two in Sintra, and the but tariffs must be displayed
comforts. An increasing number Pestana Group, which owns at reception and in the rooms.
of design and bou tique hotels, the Pestana Palace Hotel (see The cost of the room usually
as well as self-catering options, p122) in Lisbon. Heritage includes all taxes and a
are springing up in these areas.
Types of Hotels
Hotels in Lisbon vary greatly
in terms of quality, price and
facilities. The Portuguese tourist
authority classifies lodging into
various categories.
Hotels are distinguished by
the fact that they take up an
entire building and are often
purpose-built. However, visitors
who prefer a family-style
environment can choose to
stay in a manor house, a palace,
or a residence of archi tectural
or historical significance. There
are also aparthotels that offer
tourists greater indepen dence
yet all the comforts of a hotel. The impressive foyer of the luxurious Fortaleza do Guincho (see p123)
Cafés and stalls along Rua Augusta in the Baixa

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