ibis Porto Cen. M. Bolhão Hotel

The air conditioning wasn’t working on our first evening, but they fixed it right away. The hotel was very clean, service was excellent, and the staff were so friendly and helpful. The location is perfect, with everything easy to reach. I had a wonderful stay at the ibis Porto Centro Mercado do Bolhão. Highly recommended! ⭐️

The location is lovely and close to everything, but the room wasn’t comfortable. We had a problem with the sink and reported it several times, but nobody came. The room didn’t seem very clean to me, and at night you could feel bed bug bites 🥲 There weren’t extra pillows for couples. The windows were very loud, and cold air came in even when we made sure they were shut. It was hard to figure out the heater because it was locked, so reception had to adjust it for you. As silver members, we expected a better experience 🤷🏻‍♀️

Laundry is across the street, and there’s a super fancy gym with day passes two blocks away. Everything we needed was nearby, so the hotel didn’t need to have it all inside. It’s a budget hotel, but I liked it more than nicer brands I’ve stayed at in other cities. From check-in to being allowed a late checkout, the staff were great, and we got a small room upgrade to one with a balcony. It’s close to everything. I’d definitely recommend it and can’t wait to go back and stay in the same place.

Rain hitting the window made a really loud noise, which could bother some people. The mattress was thin but at least clean and comfy, and the towels were so thin they felt disposable. The shower room is poorly designed, with such a big opening that water will splash everywhere. The paper bags in the bins didn’t fit properly and wouldn’t close. The paper cups in the bathroom are ridiculous. They go soggy before you can reuse them, and trying to prop up a toothbrush in one makes it tip over straight away. I threw mine away and they didn’t replace them. A cheap plastic cup would work better and be less wasteful. I was horrified to see rotten fruit on display at breakfast (refer pic). The other offerings were mediocre or below average. When I checked in at night, nobody welcomed me with a smile. It felt like they dreaded their job and hated being there. After staying at another 3-star hotel in Lisbon, Holiday Inn Express, the difference was like night and day. For the same price, I’d recommend another option.