Evolution Lisboa Hotel

"The hotel rooms are ridiculous with their “open concept” design. This just means you have to do all personal maintenance out in the open, go to the toilet with just a piece of glass between you and the rest of the hotel rooms as well as shower in the same way. The sink is in the middle of the room so you must exit the glass toilet room to wash your hands…plus brushing your teeth there as well. Plus the dimmed lighting, even at the mirrors…you cannot see yourself to get ready for the day. The whole scenario is stressful so if you are looking for a nice getaway with someone, this is not the place. Maybe as a solo traveler. We also encountered a snooty older gentleman who worked at the desk when we checked in…who told us it was too early to check in yet we had paid for the night before so we could do early check in but he did not look into that first. Bartender and other staff were great. The hotel should explain the open toilet and shower configuration for all who book a stay here since it is not something anyone would expect to encounter. No excuses about “design” I think it was about cutting corners."

"Do not stay here. When it was built it may have been considered innovative and leading edge. But that was a while ago. There are two main aspects that are profoundly irritating:- 1) Air conditioning in the rooms. This is completely incapable of cooling the rooms to a comfortable temperature. After waiting some eight hours and with the temperature still just under 30 degrees I complained to reception, who were clearly used to dealing with this issue. After first saying that I should wait until the aircon had a chance to take effect ( after eight hours?) the receptionist admitted it was a fundamental issue with the hotel and that they currently had 26 rooms unusable due to the problem. She blamed it on “ defective filters that couldn’t be changed”. We were then moved to a smaller room at the back of the hotel which was still 27 degrees. 2) The bathrooms. Oh my God the bathrooms! The sink is in the main bedroom. No problem. The toilet is also in the room in a clear glass tube about a metre wide, and the shower in an identical tube next to it. Literally every sound in the toilet can be heard in the room, and the toilet is visible. Okay for sole occupancy, unacceptable for even the most easygoing couple. The only toilet in the hotel offering normal levels of privacy is the disabled toilet on the first floor mezzanine. The place is weird, gimmicky and has fundamental mechanical and engineering issues. Spare some sympathy for the poor reception staff who are required to trot out the same lame excuses for the air non- conditioning that the owners are either unable or unwilling to fix, but avoid staying there unless it’s the middle of winter and you’re travelling alone……"

"Great modern hotel, magnificent breakfast, original and clean room. I will return without hesitation."