Palacio do Governador

"The location of this hotel is convenient for us and not too far from where our family stays which makes it easier to visit. Much has changed here and not quite as amazing as before. The decor is just on a down scale with no concrete special features and seems all over the place with no flow. We have stayed here on numerous occasions before and have been loyal as the hotel previously was very forgiving regards bookings and cancellations but our last visit felt somewhat unpleasant and stiff. Breakfast decided to degrade itself from our last memory and remained unpleasant from day 2 onwards. It’s a tough call but after many visits I am not sure I would return here and perhaps would venture elsewhere especially considering the rates charged."

"This hotel has so much potential but falls short of delivering a true five-star experience. The décor and ambience are spot on. The reception staff were very friendly and helpful, and our bedroom and bathroom were spacious. The beds were comfortable, with a pillow menu, and the minibar, robes, and relaxing spa were all excellent. The trouble is that the bar and breakfast service are appalling. We had to ask for a bar menu, and then, after our order was eventually taken (my husband had to go to the bar to prompt the barman), it took thirty (30!) minutes for four drinks to arrive—three beers and one cocktail. We were the only guests in the bar area. Now onto breakfast. What an utter shambles. Please sort yourselves out and offer a full buffet so guests can actually get what they want, when they want it, and get on with their day. The self-service selection is extremely basic: fruit, ham, cheese, bread, and pastries. There was no toaster, no hot food, and no cereal. If you insist on offering an à la carte menu, then for goodness' sake, take the order promptly and WRITE IT DOWN! For four days we endured seemingly endless waits for service, only for the wrong food to arrive—or, in some cases, nothing at all. We eventually started to find it amusing, but the lack of coordination between the waiting staff and the kitchen was seriously concerning. If you don't eat eggs for breakfast, you're rather limited. The chef also doesn't seem keen on deviating from the menu. On day 2 I decided to Google translate what I wanted and showed it to the waiter - I mean it's me that was in Portugal speaking English and so I can't expect everyone to understand what I'm saying. Well he glanced at the screen I showed him and I'm pretty sure he didn't read it properly. I asked for poached eggs (without sauce), bacon & sausage on the side (as per menu), and white toast. What I received was two poached eggs swimming in their own water in a tiny bowl, with tiny bits of bacon scattered over them, a green sauce, and chopped sausage on top. There was no toast. I asked again for toast, but by the time it arrived, the rather disgusting bowl of food was cold. There was no butter either, so I had to ask for that as well. By the time the butter arrived, the toast had gone cold. This is just one example. Every member of our party of four either received something completely different from what they ordered or had items that never arrived at all. Every single day. When I ordered overnight oats, I was served the chia seed slop (also on the menu). When I ordered granola with yoghurt, I received a bowl of yoghurt with about a teaspoon of granola sprinkled on top. My husband ordered the same but asked for soya yoghurt. The waiter said he wasn't sure they could do that, even though soya yoghurt was listed as part of another menu item. C'mon guys! My 'iced' latte arrived warm one day and didn't arrive at all the next. Oh man, I could go on and on, but I think I've said enough."

"We stayed six nights at the delightful Palaccio do Governador during searing heat in Lisbon. The hotel is in the Belem area away from the city centre but there is an excellent and frequent tram service (15E) which takes you into the centre and using the Navegente card is very good value. Room 206 on Floor 2 is spacious and comfortable with a large bathroom area with excellent walk-in rain shower (although it was slow to drain). The room has modern furnishings and looks over the front of the hotel, there is some tram noise but it did not disturb us. Breakfast was good with choices of hot and cold food although we did not eat lunch or dinner at the hotel. The real plus for us was the outside swimming pool, comfortable recliners and a lovely 25m pool at a nice temperature - a real godsend in the extreme heat approaching 40C. Staff were all friendly and helpful and could not do enough for you. Lisbon beckons again and we would certainly stay here again."