Splendido hotel

Per il nostro primo soggiorno a Lisbona abbiamo alloggiato al Solar Do Castelo, dal 20 al 23 maggio 2006. Eravamo tre coppie di amici e per tutti il soggiorno è stato strepitoso. L'hotel non è facilmente raggiungibile con l'auto, per cui affidatevi ad un taxi e al servizio di caddy dell'hotel stesso, ma la posizione è invidiabile. All'interno dell'area residenziale del Castello di San Giorgio! Belle le stanze, la nostra ( 14 ) non particolarmente ampia, ma attrezzata di tutto e arredata con cura, bottiglia di Porto annessa come benvenuto. Se dovessi tornare chiederei comunque una camera con balcone. Non ci sono minibar nelle stanze, ma nel salotto dell'hotel c'è un bar fornitissimo dove gli ospiti possono servirsi di qualsiasi bevanda, compilando, poi, la scheda con le consumazioni e consegnandola alla reception. Colazione abbondante e ottima servita nel cortile, graziosissimo, o all'interno del salotto. Lo staff cortese e sollecito con qualche elemento che parla italiano, e la cosa non guasta.

I dintorni dell'hotel, che è nel quartiere dell'Alfama, sono veramente pittoreschi. Non rinunciate a fare un giro per i vicoli di ciotoli; noi l'abbiamo fatto solo l'ultimo giorno e ci siamo pentiti di non averlo fatto prima. Negozietti e ristorantini non mancano. Si può raggiungere l'hotel, o meglio la porta del castello, con il bus 37 e poco più giù si può prendere l'E28, il mitico tram. A tal proposito non perdo occasione per avvisare tutti di stare molto molto attenti ai borseggiatori, soprattutto su questo mezzo di trasporto che è notoriamente, pieno di turisti. Noi siamo stati vittime di un taccheggio nonostante fossimo all'erta e allertati. Sconsiglio, inoltre, vivamente di abboccare allo spettacolo del Cafè Luso: pessimo spettacolo di fado con dei prezzi esorbitanti e cibo disgustoso. Per il resto è una splendida città che merita più di una visita. Buon viaggio a tutti.

Very charming little boutique hotel

We flew from London to Lisbon for four nights at Solar Do Castelo, Jan. 3-7, 2006. The hotel itself is incredibly charming and very small, utterly tucked away and hidden into a corner of the castle. It's probably a 10 minute walk down (and then steeply back up) to the main Baixa shopping/restaurant area. I liked the quiet location.

The rooms are on the small side, but nicely appointed with robes and slippers, very clean, and a decanter of port awaiting you. Nice touch. I found the bed to be very hard by American standards, but the staff was very accommodating and padded it a bit with blankets under the mattress pad which worked out fine.

We were greeted one morning by a peacock and five peahens who happened to just be hanging out amongst the lemon trees in the courtyard of the hotel. Definite character, definite ambiance. The breakfast buffet was nice, with mimosas to start our day. The staff even helped us order some food to be delivered when we just wanted to stay in and relax one night.

The hotel was a very good value for the overall experience and the charm. Our first night, we dined at the castle restaurant/pousada the hotel recommended which was so excellent we returned our last evening. Delicious meal. The view at night is spectacular and you have the castle grounds to yourself--a nice bonus.

One word of warning, however, DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive up/down the incredibly narrow cobblestone streets like we did (they are not marked well and it's like an obstacle course) or you risk seriously damaging your car. Driving is very complicated and stressful in this area. Skip it.

I would not hesitate to recommend Solar do Castelo as a great little boutique find. Enjoy!

Service at its best!

We stayed at this fine boutique hotel for 5 days from the 3rd to the 8th of November. The rooms were very nice and the Hotel being within the castle was charming. The best of all was Nuno at the front desk who answered every request we had. He was a terrific help with suggestions for eating and things to do. This hotel was spotless! The morning breakfast was full of variety and delicious. Nuno even helped us find something to eat late at night. Although it was quite a climb up and down the cobblestone streets, all we had to do was ask and Nuno would send a little car down to get us and also always have one ready to take us to a waiting cab. Do not hesitate to stay here. The hotel and setting are most charming and the staff is fabulous! Definitely a five star rating on this one!

Best in Lisbon

This place is absolutely spectacular. There were even "peacocks" strolling about the yard. Super location, right in the castle. Perhaps a bit quiet for some but you're just five minutes from all the action. Beautiful decor, with an interesting blend of modern and historical. Everything is truly tasteful and sophisticated. Not really a place for kids or if you cannot walk up steep cobblestone streets. You won't be able to bring a car here because the streets are too narrow -- however the hotel has a kind of golf cart to bring your luggage from the taxi stand or your parking spot.

The rooms were rather on the small side, but that didn't bother us because they made up with everything else. The staff was very friendly -- I don't understand people who say Portugese are not service oriented. We wouldn't stay any place else if we came back to Lisbon.

Oasis in the heart of the City

I can't believe what I just read from another reviewer regarding this hotel.! Internet connectivity thats what you do in Lisboa? I think not. This hotel is an oasis. Beautiful rooms and a stunning court yard and breakfast included! Central to downtown Lisboa. Staff excellent, the night manager outstanding. The hotel is located beside a historical fort on one of the seven hills in Lisboa, its actually the kiitchen but don't let that fool you. Great restuarants and entertainment within walking distance. Take Trolly 28 for a memorable ride. Have dinner in a Fado restaurant. We were here in early Sept O5 and will come back again. This is a 5 star property and if 28 cents a minute is what you base a review stay home. If you want comfort, location, class and service this is it. Just look for the big blue door!

It's not worth what you pay for what you get

The hotel is full of charm and history but this is all. You don't get services. You only pay for a room with a bath.

They have wireless internet service, but if you don't bring your computer you have to hire one, it costs 0,28€/minute.

I think that you pay too much for so few services. It's not worthwile.

Very charming hotel

My husband and I stayed in this hotel in February 2003, and found it to be an extremely charming and delightful place. You enter the hotel through a large wooden door, and everything inside, from the lobby to the hallways to the courtyard, is beautiful and exquisitely decorated. Our room was small, but very chic with French doors opening onto the courtyard. There was even a complimentary decanter of tawny port on the bedside table. Our bathroom was marble and luxurious, with beautiful tiles. We loved the neighborhood the hotel was located in, within the castle walls. The tile shops right inside the castle gate were wonderful, and we found a beautiful tile painting in one of the shops for a reasonable price. We definitely recommend this hotel and would stay there again.

A wonderful surprise at the top of Lisbon near the Castle!

We just returned from a late March 2005 stay in Portugal and chose this hotel for our two nights in Lisbon. We were so delighted when we saw what a lucky choice we'd made. This small property is in the very shadow of the castle that sits at the top of the main hill in Lisbon. It is very modern, but with incredible old-world charm. The rooms are small but well appointed. No in-room coffee or tea, but there is a decanter of port and two glasses awaiting your arrival. The decanter is refilled every day. The rooms have lovely baths as well. It is a very steep walk to get up the hill to the hotel, and don't try to drive up there in a rental car -- the streets are too narrow and are crowded with tourists going up to tour the castle. Let a taxi take you to the top of the hill and then walk around the corner to the hotel. It won't be easy to find on your own, so be sure to get adequate directions before you leave home. The breakfast was not included in our rate and we found it to be very expensive at 14 euros -- primarily a continental breakfast but with eggs in a chafing dish. There is a television in the room that gets BBC, CNN and several English speaking channels on which you can watch popular American TV series and movies. Did not see a fitness center, but walking up and down the hills of Lisbon should be enough excercise for you. The hotel does not have a full restaurant, but several small bistro-style restaurants are within a five minute talk.

Immense charm

A remarkable hotel in a city where accommodation is not always good value or quality. It makes you feel privileged....

Unusual find

We went to Lisbon on the spur of the moment just for a Saturday night. Having such a short time we wanted to stay somewhere central to what we thought would be the main tourist attractions, namely the castle, the Alfama and Baixa. The Solar do Castelo certainly met that criterion, located as it is within the walls of the Castelo Sao Jorge. This might be a bit quiet for some people, cut off as it is from the main town below, but we had no problems getting taxis in either direction and the vintage tram route 28 runs pretty close too.

Usually we prefer to stay in large hotels for the anonymity and (hopefully) level of service. The Solar do Castelo is actually an inn, albeit 4 star, with just 14 rooms. The building is beautifully appointed as was our good sized room. A nice touch is that they leave a decanter of complimentary port in your room and there is an honesty bar with very reasonable prices in the lounge (no minibar). The number of staff was a bit on the low side, even for such a small place, and we had to wait a couple of times for the receptionist to come back from performing some other duties. On the whole they were friendly and helpful though I have to say in general we did not find the Portuguese to be very service oriented.

Given the reasonable price we paid (110 euros) I would have no hesitation in recommending the Solar for your short break in Lisbon.