Tivoli Lisboa Delivers Five Star Luxury in Lisbon

If you picked your hotel stay based on roof top views, the Tivoli Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal, would be very high on your list. And while the view from the Sky Bar is terrific, the rest of this 5-star hotel is as well.

Located in the heart of the capital city on the Avenida de Liberdade, the hotel is well situated for business or leisure travelers. The hotel lobby features a room full of comfortable table and chairs, spaciously scatterred, making it as perfect for a quick business meeting as it is for lingering over a glass of port. Full meeting facilities are also available, and the hotel also serves as the city hotel for Viking River Cruises shore excursions.

The public areas of the hotel are what you would expect in a luxury European hotel, although slightly less fussy than many, but the rooms were a real surprise.

I stayed in a classic double, an entry level room, that has a bed configuration that can be set up as one or two bed (a typical European configuration). The room was a remarkably modern contrast to the public areas, and was spacious, almost spartan in appearance. It had plenty of well located plug ins for re-charging your gadgets, and was outfitted with the expected amenities, but there was little art on the wall or decorative touches. I’d describe it as sleek with no clutter.

Although the room overlooked the main street, street noise was not a problem unless the window was opened. Room darkening blinds kept city lights out when wanted.

The bathroom had robes, a bidet, and the expected upscale products. The room was larger than typically seen in European hotels, but still not large enough for two people getting ready at the same time. It was equally spartan in decor, with no art or fussy little things cluttering up the place.

A few cautionary things to note:

• The hotel adheres to a strict no early check in policy. If you want in your room before 3 pm, it’s going to cost you. I’m not sure the logic behind this, since if the room is available there really isn’t an issue, but anecdotal information confirms that they are strict with the policy.
• The water and coffe in the room is not complimentary. The signage is small, and easily missed.
• Wifi starts at 15 Euro/day, and and is often slower than molasses.
• The hotel offers nightly turn down service. Both nights I stayed, the hotel maid knocked on the door to do the turn down service at about 5 pm, just as we had returned from a day of sightseeing and were getting ready to head out for the evening. When I asked if she could give us a little while and come back she was surly and said she didn’t know if she would have time. Turn down service wasn’t a deal breaker for us, but the attitude wasn’t endearing. Your mileage may vary, others traveling in our group didn’t have this attitude.

During your stay at the Tivoli Lisboa, make time to head to the top floor to visit the Sky Bar. Walk outside from the Terraco Restaurant and around the corner, down some steps, and around another corner to find it. It sounds complicated and easy to miss, but finding it is well worth the effort. Try a white sangria or some of the local sparkling white wine, Both are delicious and are as easy on the palate and the view of Lisbon is on the eyes.

The Tivoli Lisboa room rates start at about $150/night (estimate based on current dollar-euro valuation). Most room rates include a full breakfast buffet, complete with hot breakfast entrees, savory and sweet accompaniments, fruit, and beverages. You can also compare rates and book through Hotels.com, Expedia or Booking.com.

Photo credits:  Top photo via Hotel Lisboa. Remaining photos courtesy of author.

NOTE:  The author received a complimentary stay at the hotel for purposes of review. As always, all opinions are her own.