Casas do Olival

I work between Lisbon and Toulouse and fly to Lisbon often, so I’ve tried plenty of Airbnb and Booking options as well as big-name hotels. I first found Casas do Olival a few years ago, and every stay since has been great. The apartments are clean, the beds comfortable, the kitchens fully equipped, and the amenities are provided. Customer service stands out most: the owner regularly checks in by message to see how things are going and whether I need anything. She’s warm and hospitable, and we’ve built a personal connection, so I now contact her directly to book. Casas is in the historic Lapa neighborhood, close to restaurants and with easy access to the city’s main attractions. It’s also about equally distant from central Lisbon and places worth visiting beyond it, such as Belem and spots south of the Tejo.

There’s a balcony or patio sheltered from both wind and sun, just right for a glass of wine. The place is central, with restaurants and grocery stores nearby, and the mini-kitchen is well stocked. It turned out to be an excellent place to stay.

A nice welcome and a peaceful, comfortable night. I stayed here for one night because it was handy for my conference the next day, and it was a pleasant change from a hotel. With two bedrooms, it would also suit a small family on a short break.

Clean place, friendly staff who were easy to communicate with, and a very nice location. A win-win.