São Miguel Guest House

This hostel, set inside an old villa in a picturesque spot, is easily among the top five places I've stayed. People make it feel personal and welcoming. Someone showed me around, helped with my luggage, and was enthusiastic about volunteering there. They also showed genuine interest in me as a guest and fellow traveler. The staff were incredibly sweet and helpful. The spacious yard is a great place to sit outside, and breakfast was really nice. The kitchen was clean and beautiful, with marble tables and original furniture. I'd give this place six stars if I could.

The Nice Way is much more than a hostel. It's well placed for getting to Sintra's sights and exploring nearby, and the staff are both kind and efficient. The atmosphere feels friendly while still being quiet. I'd gladly come back for another great stay in Sintra.

We were excited to arrive at the Nice Way Sintra Palace, which looked like an adorable palace. Even though we'd booked four months ahead, we were told our room was in the "other building," two doors away in a 1970s-style building with no facilities or atmosphere. There was a musty smell in the entrance, and the room's fake strawberry air freshener seemed to be covering the same smell. We felt cheated and were very disappointed. The annex hadn't been mentioned before arrival. If, like us, you're expecting an old-fashioned stay, make sure your room is in the main building. As we settled in, we ended up enjoying the place more. We met people in the main building, had a couple of dinners there and tried the €2 cocktails at the little bar. The staff were the best part of the stay and made things really nice. The bathrooms could have been better maintained.

We felt at home as soon as we got there. It's just down the street from the main center, with a huge backyard where you can relax, have drinks and get to know other travelers. There are plenty of places to lounge, and the bar drinks are cheap. The staff were incredibly friendly, breakfast was free, and the shared "family" dinners and walking tours were great. They also knew a lot about the area. This was my favorite hostel stay, and we were genuinely sad to leave. Highly recommend.