Holiday Inn Express Lisbon - Ave. Liberdade by IHG — Hotel in Lisbon

Lisbon was the first stop on our honeymoon, and we chose Holiday Inn Express Lisboa - Av. Liberdade for its location and convenience. While it delivers on cleanliness, efficiency, and practicality, it lacks warmth, comfort, and personal touches, making it better suited for business travelers or short stays rather than a romantic getaway or a family vacation.

If you're looking for a basic, no-frills hotel where you just need a place to sleep, this works. But if you want service, atmosphere, or thoughtful hospitality, this isn’t the place.

First Impressions & Check-in 🏨

✔ Prime Location – Right near Avenida da Liberdade, one of Lisbon’s main avenues. Public transport is nearby, but we found Bolt taxis much faster and cheaper.

✔ Fast & Efficient Check-in/Check-out – No delays, and staff were polite and professional.

🚫 No Early Check-in – We arrived early but had to store our luggage and wait until 2 PM.

🚫 Not Honeymoon-Friendly – No special acknowledgment, no welcome drink, no personalized touches—felt very standard.

Room & Comfort 🛏

✔ Corner Room = Decent City View – Nothing breathtaking, but better than expected.

✔ Quiet & Clean – Good for light sleepers.

🚫 Minimal Amenities Provided – If you like extra comfort, be prepared for a basic experience:

a) No iron/ironing board in the room, which is inconvenient for a multi-day stay.

b) No bathroom slippers, which is surprising for a Holiday Inn Express.

c) Only TWO bottles of water for the entire stay—and if you need more? Buy them yourself from a supermarket nearby.

Breakfast & Dining 🍽

✔ Breakfast Included – A good add-on for budget travelers.

🚫 Repetitive & Limited for Indian Travelers – If you don’t eat beef or pork, options become very limited.

Service & Hospitality 🤵

✔ Efficient but Lacks Warmth – Staff was polite but not particularly engaging or welcoming.

🚫 No Hospitality Extras – No effort to go beyond the basics for guests.

🚫 Strange Water Policy – Only two bottles of water for the entire stay, and when we asked for more, we were told to buy them from a supermarket. A minor detail, but it made the experience feel rigid and unaccommodating.

Location & Nearby Attractions 📍

✔ Well-Connected for Exploring Lisbon – Easy access to public transport, restaurants, and sightseeing., We found Bolt taxis much faster and cheaper.

✔ Hidden Gem Alert! 🥐 Pastelaria Coimbra Lda (right across the street) – Some of the BEST Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts) we had in Lisbon! Highly recommend grabbing some fresh in the morning.

❌ Would I Recommend It?

✔ YES – If you are a business traveler, solo tourist, or just need a basic place to sleep.

❌ NO – If you are a honeymooner, family traveler, or someone looking for thoughtful service & comfort.

📌 Pro Tip: If you do stay here, request a corner room for the best view & fewer disturbances.

📸 Check out my attached photos for the view from our room. Also, I have attached the delicious pastry shop right across the street.

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Lisbon was the first stop on our honeymoon, and we chose Holiday Inn Express Lisboa - Av. Liberdade for its location and convenience. While it delivers on cleanliness, efficiency, and practicality, it lacks warmth, comfort, and personal touches, making it better suited for business travelers or short stays rather than a romantic getaway or a family vacation.||If you're looking for a basic, no-frills hotel where you just need a place to sleep, this works. But if you want service, atmosphere, or thoughtful hospitality, this isn’t the place.||1. First Impressions & Check-in 🏨||✔ Prime Location – Right near Avenida da Liberdade, one of Lisbon’s main avenues. Public transport is nearby, but we found Bolt taxis much faster and cheaper.|✔ Fast & Efficient Check-in/Check-out – No delays, and staff were polite and professional.|🚫 No Early Check-in – We arrived early but had to store our luggage and wait until 2 PM.|🚫 Not Honeymoon-Friendly – No special acknowledgment, no welcome drink, no personalized touches—felt very standard.||2. Room & Comfort 🛏||✔ Corner Room = Decent City View – Nothing breathtaking, but better than expected.|✔ Quiet & Clean – Good for light sleepers.|🚫 Minimal Amenities Provided – If you like extra comfort, be prepared for a basic experience:|a) No iron/ironing board in the room, which is inconvenient for a multi-day stay.|b) No bathroom slippers, which is surprising for a Holiday Inn Express.|c) Only TWO bottles of water for the entire stay—and if you need more? Buy them yourself from a supermarket nearby.||3. Breakfast & Dining 🍽||✔ Breakfast Included – A good add-on for budget travelers.|🚫 Repetitive & Limited for Indian Travelers – If you don’t eat beef or pork, options become very limited.||4. Service & Hospitality 🤵||✔ Efficient but Lacks Warmth – Staff was polite but not particularly engaging or welcoming.|🚫 No Hospitality Extras – No effort to go beyond the basics for guests.|🚫 Strange Water Policy – Only two bottles of water for the entire stay, and when we asked for more, we were told to buy them from a supermarket. A minor detail, but it made the experience feel rigid and unaccommodating.||5. Location & Nearby Attractions 📍||✔ Well-Connected for Exploring Lisbon – Easy access to public transport, restaurants, and sightseeing., We found Bolt taxis much faster and cheaper.|✔ Hidden Gem Alert! 🥐 Pastelaria Coimbra Lda (right across the street) – Some of the BEST Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts) we had in Lisbon! Highly recommend grabbing some fresh in the morning.||❌ Would I Recommend It?||✔ YES – If you are a business traveler, solo tourist, or just need a basic place to sleep.|❌ NO – If you are a honeymooner, family traveler, or someone looking for thoughtful service & comfort.||📌 Pro Tip: If you do stay here, request a corner room for the best view & fewer disturbances.||📸 Check out my attached photos for the view from our room. Also, I have attached the delicious pastry shop right across the street.||💬 Did this review help? Hit "Helpful" & drop a...

Good for a Short Stay, But NOT for Honeymooners 🚫

Lisbon was our first stop on our honeymoon trip, and we picked Holiday Inn Express Lisboa - Av. Liberdade for its central location and convenience. While the hotel is clean, efficient, and well-connected, it lacks the warmth, service, and attention to detail that leisure travelers or honeymooners would expect. This is a functional hotel for business travelers or short stays, but if you’re looking for romance, luxury, or personalized service, this may not be the best choice.

✅ What’s Good?

✔ Prime Location – Easy access to public transport, but we found Bolt taxis cheaper & faster for getting around Lisbon. ✔ Fast & Efficient Check-in/Check-out – No delays, staff were polite and professional. ✔ Corner Rooms Are the Best – We had a city view, which was better than expected and made our mornings more enjoyable. ✔ Quiet & Clean – No noise disturbance, making it good for light sleepers. ✔ Hidden Gem Nearby! 🥐 Pastelaria Coimbra Lda (directly across the street) – One of the best Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tarts) in Lisbon! Definitely worth a visit.

❌ What Could Be Improved?

🚫 Not a Honeymoon or Leisure Hotel – There were no special arrangements or gestures for couples. Even a simple welcome note or a small treat would have made a difference. 🚫 Limited Breakfast Options (Especially for Indian Travelers) – The breakfast was basic and repetitive. If you don’t eat beef or pork, your options shrink significantly. 🚫 No Early Check-in Option – Even though we arrived early, we had to store our luggage and wait until 2 PM. 🚫 Essential Amenities Missing : No iron/ironing board in the room, which made it inconvenient for a multi-day stay. No bathroom slippers—unexpected for a Holiday Inn Express. Only two bottles of water provided for the entire stay, and extra bottles? You have to buy them yourself. This policy felt unnecessary for a hotel of this category.

-- Would I Recommend It? 🤔 ✔ YES – For business travelers, solo tourists, or those who just need a place to sleep. ❌ NO – For honeymooners, families, or travelers looking for extra comfort & special service.

📌 Pro Tip: If you stay here, request a corner room for the best view & fewer disturbances.

📸 Check out my attached photos for the view from our room. Also, I have attached the delicious pastry shop right across the street.

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