Graham Penrose

Review of Lapa Palace Hotel

The hotel is in an excellent location and all the ...

The hotel is in an excellent location and all the staff were extremely pleasant. The food at breakfast and the range and choice is superb but one does find one's self constantly interrupted by staff who are cleaning plates as you are taking your last mouthful. The indoor pool area is small but adequate. The steam bath and sauna are small but fit for purpose. The gymnasium is reasonably well kitted out. The shiatsu massage in the Wellness Centre is one of the best that I have had. The rooms are fine and the bathroom is of a good size. The views from the hotel to the Tagus are beautiful. The gardens are well-tended. I would return against if on business in Lisbon.

Because the property is 5* graded and listed in "The Leading Hotels of the World" one is obliged to pick out the smallest items for consideration. As follows:

1. Ashtrays in the Smoking Room are not regularly attended to
2. Ashtray on the room balcony is not emptied on a daily basis
3. The room safe is too small for a 5* property
4. The complimentary water bottles should be placed in the fridge and not in full sunlight on the room desk
5. The in-room fruit basket contained spoiled fruit on consecutive days and was not removed until it was pointed out
6. The bar service ceases at 1730 on certain days with no alternatives
7. The reception area is freezing cold and if one is working during early morning or late evening the open doors adversely affect the temperature no matter where one sits in
8. Soundproofing in rooms needs significant improvement, standard chat and noise from the neighbouring room was clearly and annoyingly audible at all times
9. The noise from the piano bar is clearly audible in the room even some distance from the piano bar and late into the night
10. There is a consistent noise of rave music on the docks clearly audible in the room
11. There is congestion at the entrance to the property for both cars and arrival in taxis
12. The flagstone steps around the pool area are very poorly designed and dangerous
13. The room service menu is somewhat limited

Room tip: Choose a room that is far away from the piano bar and reception as noise travels at this property