I had a wonderful three-night stay at Palácio das Especiarias! The property has a beautiful, old-world ambiance but with modern upgrades.
My experience started with an airport pick-up the hotel arranged (30 euros); my driver, Bruno, was a delight and so helpful. Check-in was a breeze, and the staff was welcoming. My room was one of the smaller rooms, but it was beautifully appointed. I was right off the street, but I didn't hear anything—those windows are soundproof! I had a slight issue with the shower, but it was addressed quickly the following day.
There are many common spaces within the hotel; I especially liked the garden outback, where I enjoyed a glass of the hotel's wine (there are three varieties, and all are tasty). The breakfast spread was bigger than I imagined and a great way to start the day.
My favorite part of the hotel was its location. It felt very central, so walking to all the different neighborhoods was easy! There were also a couple of streetcar stops just around the corner. It was very hot while I was there, so I was able to explore and then pop back to the hotel for a break before heading out to enjoy Lisbon again!
Obrigada, Palácio das Especiarias, for providing a fantastic home base during my first visit to your amazing city! I can't wait to come back.