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Lisbon has an excellent range of accommodations serving just about every market niche, from luxury pads in the historic downtown to workaday, business-oriented hotels in the modern Parque das Nações. Even in the city's hotels, consider inspecting a room before taking it: street noise can be a problem, and, conversely, quieter rooms at the back don't always have great views (or, indeed, any views). Also, some hotels charge the same rate for each of their rooms, so by checking out a couple you might be able to get a better room for the same price. This is especially true of the older hotels and inns, where no two rooms are exactly alike.
Lisbon is busy year-round, so it's best to secure a room in advance of your trip. Peak periods are Easter and June through September; budget pensões are particularly busy in summer. Despite the high year-round occupancy, substantial discounts—sometimes 30%–40%—abound from November through February.
One of the first private houses to be built in Lisbon after the 18th-century earthquake, Casa de São Mamede has been transformed into a relaxed boutique guesthouse endowed with a tiled dining room, a grand staircase, and stained-glass windows. It's been thoroughly renovated, but the old-world charm is preserved in each of the individually decorated rooms.
If you're looking for a great location for sightseeing, check into one of the bright and cheerful rooms on the five azulejo-lined floors of the Residencial Florescente. Try to book well ahead: this is one of the few reasonably priced options in the heart of town, and it fills up quickly. There's a small outdoor pool and sun terrace with a bar serving poolside drinks, and the on-site restaurant offers Portuguese dishes.
Facing a quiet backstreet near Praça do Marquês de Pombal, SANA Capitol offers a central location, lots of creature comforts, and high-tech touches. Located near the financial district, it's a solid business choice, but it also appeals to families because of babysitting and other services. The pleasant Parque Eduardo VII is just 100 yards away.
