Our first visit ever to Lisboa and Portugal. Airline tickets were bought at 99,00 EUR around Christmas time and my Christmas present. I had the task – I love – to find a hotel. There were some to choose from – Lisboa not being heavily overpriced like London or Paris – and my online searching – on tripadvisor etc. soon made it obvious that Memmo Alfama Hotel (MAH) was looking like the right choice.
Besides the GREAT location in what is described mostly as the best quarter of Lisboa to visit and enjoy, Alfama with it bars, cafes, restaurants, art shops and small alleys and picturesque corners and squares everywhere – the hotel offers modern interior design,
plus a 3 level roof terrace with stunning views of Lisboa and the river and cruise ships coming and leaving on a daily basis.
We were blessed with nice weather as you can see. And having breakfast outside at 12 degrees – in the sun with a jacket, was maybe met by a small (you are crazy) nod from the ever-smiling and very service-minded waitress Carina, who offered red blankets to the crazy northerners. The sun soon rose as did the temperatures to 16-20 degrees so we felt we were for sure doing the right thing.
As good as it gets
Thats the missus, right there in the middle 🙂
The breakfast (Included in price) was with all you can expect and a la carte egg dishes, pancakes or whatever you more or less wanted including freshly pressed juice in small old fashioned milk bottles.
The hotel offers a complementary tour every morning, all you need to do is sign up and be there at 10.00 . And we did just that. 5 out of 7 people were there at 10.00. And the last two British ladies had to be called in their room and soon after they too emerged.
Our tour guide, Rogerio Bento, was witty – entertaining and with a glimpse in his eye and a love for Portugal and Lisboa and Alfama he did not manage to hide very well. Here are some shots from that tour.
At the end of what turned out to be close to two hours, Rogerio was giving an individully chosen amount/tip from all for his efforts and time spent. You can reach him at Tailor Made Travel under +351 91 9902430
I shall finish this little post with my conclusion of the hotel, and just prior to that say: We love Lisboa and will be back for sure. You meet friendly and service minded people everywhere if you are lucky but somehow the level was just higher here in Lisboa. And the vibe of the city really impressed us. Nice taxi drivers, affordable prices for cab, food, wines and a nice selection of shops – not only H&M, Springfield etc. but also local shops and brands usually not seen up here.
My conclusion:
The moment we entered the hotel a warm welcoming Pedro and his colleague made us feel at home. Showed us all the areas of the hotel and told us about the name “Memmo” and how you can yourself personalize your stay and memory. He showed us the terraces – the bar, and our room later when it was ready. He was very helpful in finding the right places to eat or to confirm me in my choices. He suggest a waterfront restaurant, showed pictures of the place from the internet, and when I said I want THAT table, that was the table I got when we walked into the restaurant 6 hours later.
The bar and breakfast team being on top of their toes to meet your every wish and especially Carina was a light to see every morning for breakfast, joking and smiling. We wish you all the luck in the world.
When we checked out we were asked to fill out a form, and Astrid asked me if I had any comments. I only wispered, I think this is just about the best hotel I ever stayed in. And mind you there has been a few Hyatt’s and Four Seasons along the way.
The terraces all beautiful, however on the first day a very annoying Dutch family occupied two sofas and one chair all by themselves and made no move to re-arrange themselves when we visited the top terrace. The following day while breakfasting next to us outside, the same woman, talking very loudly on her mobile phone with loudspeaker on, so she could eat and talk at the same time !!!! Horrible and rude behaviour that had all other tables looking at her as well. Idiots everywhere I guess. But funnily enough kids under 16 are not allowed in hotel. That’s sad. Because this means we cannot show them this place next time around. And I think personally rude people should not be allowed. Our kids certainly behave better than this.
But back to the MAH. The people here, all staff makes this place come alive like I have never seen a hotel alive before.
Add stunning views and great selection of taps and wine in the bar and you feel more than at home. And we thank you all for that.
Only things to complain about apart from the Dutch family – is the however modern and well working – VERY tiny bathroom. It was simply very small. But great beds and an eye for detail throughout the room.
But Memmo Alfama Hotel, we sure will remember you and Lisboa with great smiles – and your fine little hotel comes with our highest recommendation. I did not want to leave, and what more can you achieve as a hotel. We salute you. And Portugal. We love you.
Food, Wine and Rock´n´roll 