Lumen Hotel & The Lisbon Light Show — Hotel in Lisbon

Let me start with the pros:

The location was great. It’s not smack in the middle of the old city, which I actually liked. It’s a super walkable area with easy access to Estufa Fría and lots of solid food options nearby. It felt like a more local slice of Lisbon but still very accessible. I also really liked the color scheme and decor throughout the hotel—it has this sleek, modern vibe that kind of transports you. Visually, it’s a cool space.

The bed was also very comfortable and spacious. I love that bed!

The room was generally clean. I’d give it a 6.5/10—nothing awful, but nothing to write home about either. I’m a housekeeper myself, so I am more picky.

Now for the cons…

First, I didn’t feel entirely welcome during our stay. Some of the staff had a bit of an attitude. I don’t know what it was but there was definitely a vibe. For example, when we checked in (literally at 2:56pm), the person at the front desk made a point to say he was “going out of his way” to check us in early because check-in is at 3. Like… okay? Big whoop. Every time we asked the front desk a question, it felt like we were bothering them. It wasn’t the worst treatment I’ve ever experienced, but I definitely didn’t feel comfortable or welcomed.

Then there’s the light show. I went in with low expectations, but even then I was underwhelmed. The hotel is named after it, and it was hyped up like it was a can’t-miss experience. People even pay extra to have rooms facing the courtyard for this show. My honest opinion? Don’t waste your money. Just go downstairs and stand there for 20 minutes. It’s some mildly cool projected lights. I just felt it was overhyped.

The last thing that rubbed me the wrong way was their whole housekeeping/coupon setup. If you decline housekeeping, they give you a $5 voucher to use at the hotel bar or restaurant… but only if you spend more than $5. You can’t use multiple vouchers at once, and you can’t apply it to your bill at checkout. It’s needlessly complicated. We ended up not even using ours because of all the restrictions. Also, they printed the info about it on like five separate sheets of paper, which feels a little ironic if their supposed goal is environmental sustainability. The whole thing came across as more cost-saving for the hotel than planet-saving. Plus, the tone of the messaging had a guilt-trippy vibe like, “If you care about the environment, don’t ask for towels.”

Bottom line: our stay was okay. There were definitely things to enjoy, especially the location and aesthetic, but between the lukewarm hospitality, overhyped light show, and annoying nickel-and-dime policies, I wouldn’t go out of my way to...

My husband and I had the most amazing time and experience in the Lumen Hotel. From the moment you step in to the reception, they welcome you with pure joy and big smiles. Their willingness to help and make your stay the best. They are always available for any request and they are the NICEST people.

In the hotel there's an amazing patio that's open throughout the day (and night) that is also used for the evening Light show. The light show is a really cool experience and it is a must go! It is projected inside the hotel on the patio walls. The show itself is unique and we were amazed by it.

The room is color coded, aesthetically pleasing and has a really big bed, with a big smart TV screen and lots of places to store your belongings and suitcases. It also has different light settings that really change the vibe inside of it to your liking.

They keep the hotel constantly clean. We always felt free to ask the housekeeping for things we needed and they instantly provided it to us with a smile (toilet paper, towels, etc.) The bathroom has 5 different types of soaps and lotions for your hands and your body so you can leave yours at home :) The hotel is also very eco-friendly with cleaning, and has separated bins for recycling in the rooms.

The lounge has a bar and a TV with lots of places to sit with really beautiful decor.

My husband and I really enjoyed the rooftop pool, we've been there daily sunbathing and swimming. It has its own bar as well so you can grab a drink and relax.

The restaurant is really recommended. They offer a buffet in the morning with plenty of fresh food to choose, from savory breakfast to sweets like fruits, pancakes, freshly baked bread and much much more and it's delicious!

The location is spot on - it has a lot of restaurants, bars, and attractions within a walking distance and a lot of public transportation around like metro, buses and taxis, but in the same time it is extremely quiet and peaceful.

Overall, we would definitely come back to this hotel. They have shown us kindness and warmth, hospitality and generosity. We would love to thank the Lumen Hotel Lisbon staff from the bottom of our hearts for everything they're done for us. We will definitely be back and we hope to see you soon. From bellboys to hotel manager, every one of you is a diamond!

You made us feel like home. Muito obrigado por tudo...

This is a really special hotel. We came from the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris to the Lumen Hotel in Lisbon. I think the Lumen is every bit the Park Hyatt’s equal - for one-tenth the price. If anything, my memories of the Lumen are fonder because of how far it exceeded expectations. ||The big pros: |- Rooms are spacious, modern, and clean. Great shower pressure, AC, and exceptionally comfortable bed. |- The service. It’s a young multilingual staff, and they all go out of their way to help. As just one example, they brought us some fruit and cookies for our anniversary. |- The small, thoughtful details. You can decline housekeeping for a 5 Euro voucher per night (good for the restaurant or bar). They’ll give you fresh towels and free bottled water whenever you want. Most of the floors are hardwood, rather than carpet, so it’s easier to roll your luggage. |- The breakfast. It’s a really nice spread! The scrambled eggs are particularly good. (P.S. This was better than the Park Hyatt’s!) |- The light show. It’s not a gimmick - it’s actually a really nice 15 minute mini-opera about the history of Lisbon. It’s pretty awe inspiring. Also, drinks are cheap! Wine and beer are 2 to 5 Euros, and cocktails are around 7 Euros. |- The location. It seems a little out of the way, but it’s actually only a 10 minute walk to Liberdade shopping district. And you can take an Uber to anywhere in the city for less than 10 Euros. |- The price. It’s honestly an exceptional value, for the quality of the hotel and the service. ||Cons: |- Our room didn’t have much of a view. We didn’t spend much time during the day, so we didn’t care. |- Our water went out on our last night due to a water main issue. It was fixed by the next morning. It wasn’t a big deal for us because we were already going to bed, but I’m sure could have seen a hassle for others. ||I would rank this hotel among the very best I’ve stayed at. It reminds me of a small boutique in DC called Yours Truly (before it was acquired by IHG). The reviews are right - this place is special. We can’t...