Solar do Castelo
"So, what sets this hotel apart?This chic lemon-yellow hotel has a few major selling points: It’s inside the walls of Castelo do St. Jorge at the top of Alfama; it occupies an 18th-century mansion; and it's within a stone’s throw of some of Lisbon’s top sights. Those are some pretty distinctive features. Who else is staying here?History buffs who binge-watch travel shows and the History Channel, making them a great resource for colorful conversations—and travel recommendations. Fun! Does the service get high marks?With just 20 rooms, the hotel generally has fewer than 50 guests, meaning it’s rare that you’ll have to spend too much energy competing for staff's attention. Let them know ahead of time when to expect you for check-in. Once you're here, they're friendly and easy to flag down. Excellent. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about the digs.The rooms are appointed with medieval-inspired furniture that have a contemporary twist (wrought iron, oversized cloth headboards). Ooh, we love it. Is there any one in particular we should book?Many of the rooms overlook the Moorish courtyard—be sure to request one. Upgraded rooms have balconies—an ideal reflective perch for starting or ending your day. That's very much our speed—thanks for the tip! How about room service, and the dining options in general?The hotel's quaint cafe offers a hot breakfast buffet (not included in the room rate). Limited room service is also available. Good to know. Any other services or features you'd like to shout out? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Don’t miss the hotel’s own mini-museum, with a medieval cistern and historic artifacts recovered from the site. In the communal space, there's also a small lounge and library. We'll pay a visit to them both. So, bottom line: Why are we booking a room here?Stay here for easy access to local history and sights." - Jenna Scatena
