Entrance to Hotel da Estrela (CRM)
The hotel lobby (CRM)
To find myself spending a night in Lisbon's Hotel da Estrela was definitely a bit of serendipity. Part
of the Thema group of hotels and SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), it is situated next to two iconic Lisbon schools, the Liceu Pedro Nunes and the former Escola Machado de Castro which I watched being transformed into Lisbon's new school of hospitality and tourism. The hotel building itself is a former palace which has been turned into a fully accessible modern hotel with an educational theme - evident in the design, the many artifacts and interesting salvaged school furniture. Definitely a place to be recommended to my mathematician friends.
Detail of bedroom carpet (CRM)
The staff, some of whom are training in the tourist school next door, are charming, friendly and helpful and the rooms are very comfortable and very well equipped. Free wifi is available in the public areas. If the weather had been better, the views across the Tagus would have been wonderful. Breakfast was served in
the 'cantina' - fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereals, fresh breads, cheeses and hams, scrambled eggs and good strong freshly brewed coffee!
My room (above and below) (CRM)
The lounge bar with soft white leather sofas (CRM)
The 'cantina' with a mix of modern and salvaged furniture and interesting artifacts (CRM)
Wine of the week on offer
More artifacts in the upstairs lounge (CRM)
Lovely view of Estrela Cathedral - pity it was such a grey wet morning (CRM)
Must try the restaurant which is open to non-residents. It claims that you pay what you want based on what you think it is worth!
What excuse can I use to stay again? Mislay my house keys???
I'd certainly enjoy another stay! Cost for the room, including breakfast: €76
