Palacio Ramalhete

The rooms were a very different experience from the hotel’s main areas. We asked for a lower floor but ended up on the top floor, up an extremely steep staircase. At checkout, no staff member was available to help with our bags. The beds were uncomfortable, and the bathroom felt hazardous, with slippery tiles and a strangely designed step up into the shower and toilet. The door locks were difficult to work. About half the time, we had to go all the way back downstairs to get someone to open our door. The staff were nice, but that didn’t make the stay worth what this place charges. I’d look for somewhere else at that price.

Service was impeccable, with polite, friendly staff who made us feel like guests at a B&B, which we liked better than an anonymous hotel. Breakfast came in a lovely room, with a small, balanced, carefully chosen menu. The location is quiet and romantic, but just a five-minute walk from the bohemian bars and cafés on Rua de Santos O Velho. You should visit; we liked nearby Yallah and Bloom. The restored 17th-century palacio had the marble, masonry, and tiles we were hoping for, and candles lined the stairs at night. The courtyard looked lush for a summer swim, though the weather wasn’t right for trying the pool. Our superior room was spacious and nicely decorated, with a comfortable bed. But the dated bathroom and worn towels and dressing gowns felt below the quality I expected from such a luxe stay. There was only one mirror in the bathroom, which made getting ready as a couple harder; another near the vanity would’ve helped. Still, we were very happy.

We arrived to find the door locked, with no answer on the phone, at the door, or on WhatsApp. After 15 minutes, we received an SMS code, but reception was empty. We waited another five minutes before someone came to check us in. The day before, we’d called about parking and were told it was two minutes away. On arrival, we were sent a location 15 minutes away and had to carry our luggage across town. We asked for a late checkout the next day to make up for the problems, and were quoted 20 euros per hour. We reluctantly agreed before heading out. Then, at the original checkout time, we got a message saying we had to leave because someone needed the room, so we rushed back for our things. One of the most unprofessional staff experiences we’ve had.

Such a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, with a lovely host. We had an amazing stay, and the breakfast was really good and healthy.