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As I told you before, during my recent trip to Portugal in May I had the pleasure of staying in Lisbon for four nights at two different hotels. One of them, Hotel Solar do Castelo, was a truly unique experience.

If you have ever been to Lisbon, then you know that nothing there is as it appears. Once the front gate opens, you walk into a white oasis of simple elegance and class. I travel the world, visit high-end hotels,and usually have some point of criticism…but not there.

We were met with open arms upon arriving, and by the time we left we wanted to bring everyone home with us. We were greeted by one of the nicest ladies I’ve ever met (I’m very sorry, but I forget her name). Before checking if our rooms were ready she gave us a map of Lisbon and provided us with some tips on sites to see, how to get there, and where to eat. We tried to do them all but she just gave us so much to do for the two days that we were in Lisbon.

As for the location, it puts you right in the heart of Lisbon, surrounded by some of the best restaurants and nightlife, and you wouldn’t even know it due to the quiet quaintness of the beautiful property. You really can have it all here.

We are so glad we booked there and only wish we had more days. The only hotel within São Jorge Castle’s walls at the top of Alfama, Solar Do Castelo is a small mansion built on the site of the former kitchens of the Royal Palace. This was our first trip to Lisbon and from there we could easily walk to most of the tourist destinations. There were a lot of spots nearby where you can see the best panoramic views, such as Miradouro do Recolhimento, Miradouro do Castelo de São Jorge, Miradouro de Santa Luzia,and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol Observation Deck.

As we explored the city during the day, we had little time to actually stay in the room. Nevertheless, we made the best of it by relaxing in our cozy room and staying in the lobby with delicious Pasteles de Nata, arguably the most famous dessert in Portugal.

I cannot forget to mention the complimentary carafe of port brought to our room as agift. This was such a lovely gesture from the management team.

Our room was spacious and in a good state of decoration. The room faced a beautiful courtyard, but there was no problem with noise (except for a peacock that lives in the adjoining castle – it was a wonderful surprise for us). There was a king-size bed and a well-stocked mini bar. The bathroom was a decent size, complete with hair dryer and towels that are replaced daily. We always felt safe, and the people in Lisbon are the friendliest we have ever met. And almost all of them speak English. There are so many wonderful people to thank at Hotel Solar do Castello, and I’m sure I will leave some of them out, so all we can say is thank you to everyone for making our stay in Lisbon the best.

If you want a place that has boutique and luxurious feel, this is the place to stay!

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