Review of Feels Like Home Rossio Prime Suites: Lisbon
This February Justin and I took a short trip to Spain and Portugal after scoring an absolute steal on tickets from a travel site we follow. It was a very spontaneous decision and we didn't have much time between when we purchased the tickets to when we needed to leave. As such, I launched into planning mode and immediately tackled my favorite part of trip planning: finding accommodations. Our go-to method is to book budget lodging for the majority of our trip (hostels, guesthouses etc) with one splurge accommodation for a few days. This trip I booked us at hostels in Spain and decided that our splurge would be in Lisbon towards the end of our trip. Now anyone who knows me knows I agonize over lodging and spend days to weeks researching the heck out of everything. Well, after all that research Feels Like Home Rossio Prime Suites won out and we had a perfect stay. As such, I wanted to write a review for those of you who are like me and have a hard time picking lodging. Sometimes reading a review that's not from, say, TripAdvisor is what you need to make a final decision.
General Info
USD $80s - mid $100s (we paid $86 a night with breakfast included)
Closest metro stations are Restauradores (blue line) and Rossio (green line)
It took us about 15 min by taxi to travel from Rossio Prime Suites to the international airport
There is a 24-hour front desk so late or early flights are no problem
The address is Rua Barros Queiros 47
We arrived mid evening and took the metro from the airport to the Restauradores metro station. From there it was only about a three-minute walk to Rossio Prime Suites which sits at the edge of Largo de São Domingos (a square) right beside Igreja de São Domingos, a church dating from 1241. While the front of Rossio Prime Suites was clearly visible when we entered the square, the entrance was actually on a side street marked by a subtle sign and red door.
Entrance to Rossio Prime Suites
After entering we immediately ascended a long narrow flight of wooden stairs with the reception desk at the top. The staff member who checked us in was absolutely delightful and quickly escorted us to our room on the third floor. Our room was small but we loved the vibe. Chic and minimalistic with a velvet chair beneath an oversized window that looked out over beautiful old buildings. And get this - the window opened fully and there was no screen. You may be gasping in horror but I thought it was amazing. Probably not a place to bring kids though since the window was quite low and wouldn't be hard to fall out of.
Heading to our room
Our lovely room
Our bathroom, although private for our use only, was directly across the hall from our room due to Rossio Prime Suites being in a very old building that has been remodeled into a hotel and therefore has some little quirks. I don't know about you but I'd way rather stay in a place with real character and a bathroom across the hall then something cookie cutter. If having a separate bathroom is abhorrent to you, they do have rooms with connected bathrooms but you do have to pay more. Crossing the hall to the bathroom was no biggie though with the provided robes and the bathroom was gorgeous with a tiled floor, oversized towels, and super cute succulents lined up by the sink. It's all in the details.
Our bathroom
The next morning we were super stoked to try out the included buffet style breakfast. All the tables in the dining room were set so we chose one tucked in a window alcove and proceeded to eat an absolutely delicious breakfast of fresh juice, fruit, bread, cheese, croissants, cereal, yogurt, bundt cake, and tea (cold cuts and coffee were also available). When it comes to food I think doing a few things really good is better than tons of mediocre options, as is often the case. Our only sadness was that we never ate quite as much as we wanted because everyone looked so posh and seemed to just nibble on their food so we felt ashamed. Sometimes we probably care too little about what other people think and sometimes we definitely care too much.
The dining area
You know what else was amazing besides breakfast? The complimentary tea, coffee, and cake served all day in the "common area," although there's nothing common about a beautifully appointed lounge with floor to ceiling windows looking out on the square while jazz music plays from an old fashion radio. You can't help but feel elegant and refined in a place like Rossio Prime Suites even if you don't look it (I spent the entire trip stomping around in rain boots and an oversized coat with my hair in a scraggly ponytail).
The uncommon common area
View out the windows in the common area
Complimentary tea and coffee service complete with sweets
The few nights we spent at Rossio went by way too fast and we were pretty grumpy that our flight to Barcelona left at 6:30 am so we didn't get to eat breakfast our last day. Our 4:00 am departure was easy though with all the taxis lined up along Largo São Domingos practically across the street from Rossio. Rossio Prime Suites may not be the flashiest place and it doesn't provide any activities for guests, but we would recommend it hands down if you're ever in Lisbon and are looking for a refined place to stay.
Pros
Great location close to the airport and the famed Alfama district
Within easy walking distance of several metro stations and Rossio train station
Extremely personable staff who were able to answer all our questions
Delicious included breakfast
Complimentary tea and coffee service all day
Complimentary cellphone with data given to all guests for use outside the hotel
Good WiFi throughout the building
Free baggage storage
24-hour front desk
Cons (for some people)
Not really a place for young children
No pets allowed
No onsite restaurant