Holiday Inn Express Lisbon - Plaza Saldanha — Hotel in Lisbon

Appalling Service & Lack of Basic Amenities – Avoid This Hotel

If you're considering staying at this Holiday Inn in Lisbon—don't. This was one of the most aggravating and unprofessional hotel experiences I've ever had, and I feel compelled to warn other travelers.

First of all, the rooms don’t even come with a basic microwave or fridge—which is shocking for a hotel that claims to cater to international guests. Because of this, I had to rely on the front desk staff to access the kitchen’s microwave just to warm up my food. A simple, reasonable request, especially given the lack of in-room amenities.

What I encountered instead was indifference, dismissiveness, and outright rudeness. On two separate afternoons—[May 29 and May 30(night shift)]—I was offered this very basic service in a tone that made it seem like I was asking for a favor instead of trying to make up for the hotel’s poor planning. I was made to feel like a burden for requesting what should be standard hospitality. No apology. No solution. Just complete disregard.

The first time, I was able to salvage my food—barely. The second time, I was so fed up with the unprofessional attitude that I chose to throw the food away rather than deal with the staff again. That’s money wasted and an experience ruined—not because of any real limitation, but because of lazy, dismissive service.

As a Black traveler, I could not help but notice the sharp lack of courtesy and warmth extended to me throughout these interactions—something I’ve unfortunately had to be aware of when traveling. Whether intentional or not, the staff’s behavior made me feel unwelcome and singled out, and that should never happen to any guest at any hotel.

If a hotel is going to withhold basic in-room conveniences like a fridge or microwave, the least they can do is train their staff to accommodate guests with some professionalism and human decency. That clearly isn’t the case here.

I’ve stayed at other Holiday Inns and never had an experience this awful. Management at this location needs to take a serious look at their culture and staff behavior. This level of service is a disgrace to the brand. I will never stay here again—and...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at a hotel that left a lasting impression on me. While it lacked certain amenities I've come to expect, such as shampoo, body scrubs, lotion, and sandals, the outstanding service provided by the staff and the comfort of the beds more than made up for it.

Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by the hotel staff, who were incredibly friendly, attentive, and eager to assist. They went out of their way to ensure that I had a pleasant stay, providing helpful recommendations for local attractions, restaurants, and ensuring all my needs were met. Their hospitality truly made me feel welcomed and valued as a guest.

One of the highlights of my stay was undoubtedly the comfortable beds. After a long day of exploring the city, sinking into the plush pillows and sinking into the soft, inviting mattress was a dream come true. The bedding was clean, fresh, and of high quality, ensuring a restful night's sleep.

While the absence of amenities like shampoo, body scrubs, lotion, and sandals was a disappointment, I believe it was more of an oversight rather than intentional neglect. I would suggest that the hotel management consider providing these essentials to enhance the overall guest experience.

In terms of other aspects, the hotel's cleanliness was well-maintained throughout my stay. The housekeeping staff was prompt and efficient, ensuring that my room was spotless upon returning each day. The hotel's ambiance was pleasant and peaceful, creating a relaxing atmosphere for guests to unwind.

Although the lack of certain amenities was a drawback, the exceptional service and the comfortable beds more than compensated for it. The hotel staff's friendliness and attentiveness made me feel like a valued guest, and the quality of the beds allowed me to rest and recharge after a day of exploration.

In conclusion, while the absence of amenities like shampoo, body scrubs, lotion, and sandals was a letdown, the exceptional staff and the comfort of the beds made my stay at this hotel memorable. With a bit of improvement in the provision of essential amenities, this hotel has the potential to become an even more remarkable destination...

Holiday Inn Expresses are basic accommodation with a no-nonsense approach to design and functionality. This new property in Lisbon meets these criteria and is a perfect base for someone visiting the city for tourism on a budget without skimping on quality. A friendly staffer greeted me at reception and within minutes I had my (air conditioned) room after a short block-and-a-half walk from the metro exit on a hot summer afternoon. (Though the hotel uses the district name of Saldanha, use the Sao Sebastiao stn, end of the airport line, and exit via the stairs closest to the last cars of the train and not the one that connects to the blue line. You want to walk toward Ave Marques de Comer.)

The building is new and blends in with the facade of the street, there's no blatant signage but a sliding glass entry door. The hotel is identified by a discrete logo plaque next to the door, so look for a modern grey stone building. Rooms are compact but full function with lots of electrical and USB outlets.

There is a small bar adjacent to reception and the dining area used for breakfast. The inclusive breakfast is your basic European spread of cold cuts, cheeses, juices, breads and pastries, cereals and boiled eggs. Unlike North American HIXs that's the only style of eggs available and there's no sausage or bacon. However, what there is are lots of those delicious Portuguese egg custard tarts!

This closeness to the metro (red and blue lines) makes it ideal for exploring the city and getting from/to the airport. As well, there is the nearby Calouste Guibenkian art museum and main branch of el Corte Inglese department store. Along the adjacent Ave Conde de Valdom are a full range of small restaurants with outdoor tables and a shaded promenade.

This is a most economical, safe and clean pied a terre for a short stay in this charming city. Nothing to...