Meredith & Johno

July 20–23, 2023 • Lisbon, Portugal

Meredith & Johno

July 20–23, 2023 • Lisbon, Portugal

Where to Stay

Lisbon is full of gorgeous hotels from budget to affordable comfort, all the way to extremely high-end and luxurious. There are also many Airbnb options available throughout Lisbon and they seem to be quite affordable if you book early.


We know everyone will have a different budget and expectations for their trip to Portugal so we thought we would share some of our research and knowledge and of course you can plan and book what works best for you! If you choose to book an Airbnb or a hotel different from the hotels we recommend, we suggest you book within the neighborhoods mentioned below.


Important Note-When looking at Airbnbs and any other hotels, we recommend that you make sure they have air conditioning. AC is crucial during the summer months in Lisbon.

Meredith and Johno’s Favorite Lisbon Neighborhoods

Alfama

Alfama-Alfama is one of our favorite areas of Lisbon. It is an adorable neighborhood, full of alleys, steps, lanes, arches and narrow buildings, and new corners to discover. Alfama is unique to any other area of Lisbon. You may find locals selling Ginja (artisanal cherry liquor) out of the windows of their homes or street performers gracing you with their gorgeous tunes at sundown. Cityscape and Tagus River views, as well as the authenticity and grunge (in a good way), make this neighborhood quite special. The welcome party on Friday evening will take place at Portas do Sol, which is located in Alfama. As the hotel we recommend below is an Adults Only Hotel we recommend checking out Airbnbs in Alfama if you would like to stay in this area with a family.

Memmo Alfama Hotel Lisboa

Picture of Memmo Alfama Hotel Lisboa
Tv. Merceeiras 27, 1100-348 Lisboa, Portugal
21 049 5660
Use Code: GUEST

Adults Only Hotel-Tucked away down a quiet alley, the Memmo Alfama is a minimalistic chic hotel. Neither the rooms nor the pool are “large,” however the incredible view of the Alfama neighborhood and the Tagus Riverfront, as well as the delicious breakfast make up for the smaller rooms. When walking into the Memmo Alfama you feel that you immediately become a bit more trendy. The outdoor bar/restaurant near the pool is an amazing place to enjoy a drink or a relaxing afternoon. The service is great and the location is perfect for people who really want to dive into the authentic Lisbon and aren’t intimidated by a bit of incline. They offer a free walking tour of the Alfama neighborhood each morning, which is a great perk! The hotel has a total of 42 rooms ranging in price and size. The rooms and closets are not very spacious, but the location and amenities are lovely!


As this is a small boutique hotel, they do not offer group blocks; however, you can use the promotional code “GUEST” which will give you access to a 15% discounted rate.

Website

Príncipe Real

Príncipe Real-Located on top of one of the 7 hills of Lisbon. This area boasts some glorious views of the city. It is an upscale neighborhood which is known for its shopping and delicious restaurants. Príncipe Real can be reached by foot from Alfama, however it is about a 30 minute walk. Since it is located at the top of one of the hills, you will find some flat areas and parks to wander around here!

Memmo Príncipe Real

Picture of Memmo Príncipe Real
R. Dom Pedro V, 56 J, 1250-094 Lisboa, Portugal
21 901 6800
Use Code: Sgroup

The Memmo Príncipe Real is located in a great area of the city and very close to another lovely neighborhood, Barrio Alto. The Memmo is tucked away off the bustling streets and has a gorgeous view of the city from the restaurant and pool area (which you will absolutely enjoy and appreciate as summer temps in Lisbon are quite high)! The hotel has a total of 41 rooms; their rooms are a bit larger in size and have a much larger closet than the Memmo Alfama. They offer a free walking tour of the Príncipe Real neighborhood each morning, which is a great perk! If you contact the hotel in advance they can assist with babysitting. This service is provided by an outside company for an additional cost and should be requested in advance.


As this is a small boutique hotel, they do not offer group blocks; however, you can go to this link and use the promotional code “Sgroup” which will give you a discounted rate with the following perks:

If you book with this link you will receive:

- Complimentary Breakfast

- City Tax not included (2€ per person, per day)

- Discounted Rates

-Cancellation free of charge up to 14 days before arrival. After this period the full amount will be charged in case of cancelation

Barrio Alto/Chiado Area

Barrio Alto/Chiado- As you head down the hill from Príncipe Real you will make your way into Barrio Alto; these two neighborhoods blend together quite flawlessly. Barrio Alto is a boho residential area full of quaint restaurants, bars, and local shops. As you turn each corner, you never know what you might find next. Street art and steep cobbled streets give this neighborhood its name, “upper town.”

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Luxury Hotel & Apartments

Picture of Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Luxury Hotel & Apartments
Rua das Flores 44, 1200-195 Lisboa, Portugal
21 002 9600

Technically this hotel is located in Chiado, a neighborhood a bit further down the hill from Barrio Alto; however, each neighborhood blends into the next. This hotel is a great option for families traveling with children. They have 37 serviced apartments which are larger than normal hotel rooms. They have living areas and include all of the necessary family-friendly items such as highchairs, washing machines, cribs, rentable strollers, and even bottles! There is a kids camp offered daily and a Pajama Party club offered each evening as well. If your child/children are above the age of three then these childcare options are included in the price of your booking. If your child is under 3, then an additional cost is added (12 euros per hour) in order for someone to watch the younger ones in a baby/toddler specific room during the clubs. They also have many trusted babysitters that work for the hotel and can watch your child/children in your hotel apartment until the wee hours of the morning. The hourly cost for babysitters is dependent on the number of children and hours of the day/night, but it is between 14-18 euros per hour.

Sintra

Sintra-Sintra is a beautiful, quaint, fairytale-like town located in the rolling hills west of Lisbon. It has many palaces scattered around which can be toured and explored as well as cute restaurants and shops to explore. It is a quiet town with minimal nightlife, but gorgeous views. The Wedding Celebration on Saturday evening and Pool Festa Lunch on Sunday will take place at Quinta da Bella Vista which is tucked away within Sintra. We will have buses organized to and from Lisbon (approximately 35-40 min. ride) on the day of the wedding celebration as well as the Sunday lunch. However, if you choose to stay in Sintra on Saturday and Sunday night to be closer to the festivities, then this is one option. Quinta da Bella Vista is not walking distance from the town of Sintra so transportation would need to be organized to and from the venue if you opt to stay in Sintra.


With that being said, we would not recommend staying exclusively in Sintra during the 4 days of wedding festivities as it is a small neighborhood and a couple of days in Sintra is plenty. The life and culture and amazing vibes which drew us in and captured our hearts is found in Lisbon; so don’t miss out on the abundance of color and excitement found in the city of light!

Chalet Saudade - Vintage GuestHouse

Picture of Chalet Saudade - Vintage GuestHouse
R. Dr. Alfredo da Costa 23, 2710-524 Sintra, Portugal
21 015 0055

A quaint century-old chalet, full of character, right in the heart of Sintra. A great place to stay Saturday and Sunday if you want to walk around the town and explore the magic of the surrounding palaces and rolling hills!

Penha Longa Resort

Picture of Penha Longa Resort
Estrada da Lagoa Azul Linhó, 2714-511 Lisboa, Portugal
21 924 9011

A beautiful resort located on a golf course in Sintra. Penha Longa Resort has multiple restaurants, pools, and activities to keep you busy. The resort is not walking distance from the Sintra town or palaces, but if you are looking for a spot to rest and relax in Sintra then this is the perfect place!