Hello Lisbon Castelo Apartments

The electronic check-in went smoothly, and the apartment was spacious, clean, and well equipped. We found the furniture and appliances intuitive to use, and didn’t have to worry about kitchen basics like a toaster or corkscrew, or bathroom items like shampoo, soap, and conditioner. The air conditioner worked fine, but the air dried out quickly, and February nights could get a little too chilly.

We asked for a quiet apartment but got one right beside the road and a tram stop. You can hear everything through the night, and we ended up sleeping badly. If you want a decent night’s sleep, I’d avoid this place. The virtual check-in was broken, and the phone they’d installed had a dead line. We had to call them on a mobile instead, which could mean costly roaming charges.

The rooms have an IKEA feel, but they did the job. We arrived at 8:30 a.m. and went out to explore Lisbon. Be careful with the luggage storage: it isn’t secure and won’t fit bigger suitcases. When we came back a full hour after check-in time, our room still wasn’t ready. Two of the three windows had come off their hinges, and they were six feet tall. That wouldn’t have been such a big deal if we could have used more of our suite’s balconies, but only one of the three was usable.

The apartment was well equipped, with a self-service washer and dryer, and there were places to eat nearby along with nice scenery. But getting checked in was a hassle. There’s no person at the machine, and when I had trouble with my booking number and credit card PIN, I had to call for help. The guy on the phone was friendly and patient, but it still took quite a while to sort out. Parking is another issue. They directed me to a nearby garage that cost €69 for less than 48 hours. I wouldn’t drive if staying here.