Hotel Benfica

Average.

The location was the part I liked most. The hotel is very close to the new basilica and the city só romeiro, and both are easy to reach on foot. I was disappointed with the rooms. They looked larger on the website, but the bedroom and bathroom were very cramped, with nowhere to put our suitcases or bathroom things. There are no snack bars or restaurants nearby, so I expected to be able to get dinner at the hotel after seeing on its website that meals were served. At check-in, though, I was told lunch and dinner are only available during pilgrimage season. That information wasn't on the site. Breakfast had a good variety and was good, but on the Monday of Carnival, when the hotel was full, we had to wait for a seat because the dining area couldn't fit everyone. Some breakfast items weren't replenished. I was let down and wouldn't stay there again.

For what I paid, the hotel was good and met my expectations. The rooms were clean, breakfast was excellent, and I didn't see any rats or anything like what some reviews mentioned. I was a bit worried after reading some of the comments here, but I think everyone needs to set their own expectations. Honest reviews matter to the business and to future guests. The parking is the one thing people should pay attention to. The hotel says it has parking, but for guests arriving by car it's actually an arrangement with a nearby lot. I chose not to leave my car there and used the Santuário parking lot instead, about 300 meters away on foot. That wasn't a problem for me, since I was prepared to park at the Santuário. For the price, I think the hotel works well for people looking for a place to stay.

The price felt fair for what the hotel offers, but you may or may not get a garage space. They don't have spots for every guest as advertised, and that was disappointing since parking was one reason I booked.