We recently stayed at Hotel Mundial in Lisbon and unfortunately, our experience was far from ideal. While the location is central—right next to the famous Tram 28 stop—it also borders a park that is frequently visited by homeless individuals and people dealing with drug addiction, which made us feel uneasy, especially in the evenings.
The hotel itself is quite dated and clearly in need of refurbishment. The room carpets were stained, and the general condition of the facilities reflects its age. We stayed in an executive room, but even there, the quality was disappointing. The sofa bed was broken and unusable, and there was visible mold in the bathroom. We called 3 times for an iron and iron board and it was never delivered to our room. We were even denied an additional bottle of water in the evening (even though we would have paid for it). This is not what you would expect from a room that’s supposed to be a higher-tier offering.
On the positive side, most of the staff were friendly and welcoming, which we appreciated.
Breakfast was very basic. There are two breakfast areas: we can recommend the one on the 8th floor, which has a better atmosphere and service. The one on the 1st floor, however, was underwhelming. The food variety was average—not bad, but certainly not impressive.
The most serious issue we encountered was a theft from our hotel room. Two pairs of earrings were taken from a beauty case in the bathroom. We suspect a member of the cleaning staff, as there was no sign of forced entry and only hotel personnel had access. What was most upsetting was the hotel management’s reaction. Initially, they discouraged us from involving the police. After insisting, the police were finally called and arrived within 20 minutes. They were very professional and helpful. However, by the time they arrived, the hotel had already allowed the suspected staff member to leave the premises, which was extremely frustrating and concerning.
It almost felt like the hotel manager in charge didn’t actually want to resolve the issue and was not genuinely interested in helping us. When I asked for the contact details of someone in upper management to escalate the matter, the manager was very hesitant. Instead of giving a specific name or direct contact, they only shared a generic hotel email address. This means any complaint can easily be ignored or deleted without follow-up. They did eventually provide the name of someone supposedly responsible, but that person never responded to our emails. This only reinforced our impression that the hotel is not interested in solving such incidents—or even in taking steps to avoid them in the future.
The police mentioned that thefts in Lisbon hotels have been increasing, particularly involving small valuable items that are easy to sell for quick cash. This is something travelers should be aware of when choosing where to stay.
Overall, while the staff’s friendliness and the central location are positives, the outdated condition of the hotel, the broken and unhygienic room facilities, and—most importantly—the serious security issue and lack of accountability from management mean we cannot recommend Hotel Mundial. It’s in urgent need of both refurbishment and a thorough review of its security and guest...
Read moreThis hotel has a great location to visit some of the best tourist spots in Lisbon. It is easily accessible to the street car, subway, and is close enough to walk to many great restaurants and other tourist attractions. That being said, the location is the only redeeming quality. There are far better places to stay. My husband and I checked in after a day on the beach outside Lisbon. While there are multiple bellhops standing around, not one offered to help us with our bags. We were visibly frustrated after trying to drive our rental car into the city and blatantly ignored. We checked into our room on the 8th floor and the power promptly went out. The electricity was on and off multiple times. I called the front desk and was told that a construction crew was shutting off power to the hotel for the next hour. We were very hot from the beach, not to mention I am 18 weeks pregnant. The 8th floor is EXTREMELY loud due to the hotel rooftop bar on the same floor and the full renovation ongoing on the 9th floor. The bar is playing loud music until late at night, we even called the front desk to ask what time the music went off. During the day there is incessant jack hammering coming from the 9th floor, I was shocked rooms were even available on these floors due to the constant noise. We were awakened by the cleaning service slamming doors and yelling to each other in the early hours of the morning despite having the do not disturb sign on our door. Our bed was rock hard, leading to poor sleep quality and our room was not cleaned while we were out sightseeing in Lisbon. There was a plate of food left in the room, visible crumbs on the floor, and trash not placed into the trash can. Basically the bed was made, towels replaced and that was all.The water in the showers also goes from scalding to freezing multiple times throughout one shower without adjusting the temperature. The hotel manager was very kind and receptive when we voiced complaints about the noise level. He offered us free dinner in the hotel restaurant. The restaurant manager was also very accommodating when we visited to redeem our free dinner, although there had been a miscommunication and the front desk had never told them about our reservation. While the dinner was free, there was a limited menu to choose from, the food was bland, and it was arguably the worst meal I had in 14 days in Portugal. For the price of this hotel, and what it is actually like, I would encourage everyone to look at alternative options. My husband and I were completely disappointed with our stay and will...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel Mundial in Lisbon, and I cannot express enough gratitude and admiration for the exceptional service provided by two remarkable individuals, Jose and Ruben. Their dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of my family, particularly my beloved grandmother, was truly outstanding. From the moment we arrived, Jose and Ruben made us feel welcomed and valued. Their warm smiles and genuine care set the tone for our entire stay. However, it was their swift and decisive action during a moment of crisis that truly made them stand out. One Morning, my grandmother encountered a medical emergency during breakfast. Without hesitation, Jose sprang into action. He ran to her aid with a sense of urgency that immediately put our minds at ease. His calm and composed demeanor reassured us that we were in capable hands. Both swiftly coordinated with medical professionals and ensured that she received the prompt attention she needed. Throughout the ordeal, Jose and Ruben remained by our side, offering support, comfort, and regular updates on my grandmother's condition. Their unwavering commitment to her well-being was truly remarkable. They went above and beyond their duties as hotel staff, demonstrating genuine compassion and empathy. Beyond their exceptional response to the emergency, Jose and Ruben consistently provided outstanding service throughout our stay. They were attentive to every detail, ensuring that our needs were met and that we felt comfortable and cared for. Their friendly and accommodating nature made us feel like valued guests. I cannot recommend Jose and Ruben enough. Their professionalism, compassion, and quick thinking were truly exemplary. They turned a potentially distressing situation into one where we felt supported and well-assured. Their actions not only reflect their personal qualities but also speak volumes about the Hotel Mundial as an establishment that values its guests' safety and well-being. If you have the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Mundial in Lisbon, I urge you to seek out Jose and Ruben. Their dedication and genuine care will undoubtedly enhance your experience. They are a true asset to the hotel and exemplify what exceptional service should be. Thank you, Jose and Ruben, for making our stay memorable and for running to my grandmother's safety. You have our deepest gratitude.
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