Good value in an odd package and interesting location.

Having chosen this hotel for its location relative to some business appointments, we were pleasantly surprised. For a reasonable rate we got a very modern room, an excellent buffet breakfast, competent staff, swift service, and an airy, refreshing lobby.

The hotel is located near the riverside highway and almost under the bridge over the Tagus (the Ponte 25 Abril). At first glance, this looked bad. Fortunately, the hotel seems to be well-sound-proofed against the heavy traffic noise. Then, on our off days, we found that the sea wall promenade was only a short walk away. Along the promenade we were able to walk to several sites (the Torre de Belem, the Discoverers monument, the presidential palace, the monastery). For food and entertainment, we were also able to walk to the Docas restaurant development on the river and the famous Pasteis de Belem. Of course, the views along the river are grand.

Since our business involved alot of car travel, we found that the hotel was convenient to the bridge, to the highway into Lisbon, and the expressway north to the airport. Moreover, streetcars into Lisbon and Belem run less than a block from the hotel. Thus it was easy to get downtown for an afternoon among the famous sites.

The hotel's operatic theme was interesting but inconsistent. Nice paintings and costumes on display, but no opera music in the halls. Our only complaint was poor sound-proofing between rooms.

Overall, excellent value in a four-star hotel that seems out of the way but is still convenient to some good destinations.