Arrival/Check-in: We arrived early at Lisbon Airport (LIS), and after finally finding the car rental attendant, we were off and running. The hotel is halfway between the airport and downtown, so we pulled up in front of the property in a jiffy. The porters took the car and our bags, and we were ushered into the hotel. The front desk personnel were incredibly friendly and attentive. Fortunately, our rooms were available and we were able to get settled, shower and enjoy breakfast in the lobby restaurant, Lobby Bistro. (29/30)

Guest Quarters: The rooms at the Sheraton have been recently renovated and are very comfortable. The color scheme is a warm shade of purple — quite stylish. The bathrooms are unique, as they are totally glassed in and set off to one side. A large tub is against the left wall. As you bathe, you can see through the glass to the room and right out the window, which allows natural light into the bathroom. For modest guests, a shade is available for privacy. Bliss products enhance the experience.

We had a large, comfortable, king-sized bed with a warm duvet matching the color scheme. During the renovation, the hotel added the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed and down pillows. We had a nice view from our room, which was on the front of the building; and the room included all the expected extras such as a minibar, a coffeemaker, a cordless phone and a comfortable work area. (28/30)

Services/Amenities: The cuisine at the hotel was excellent. We enjoyed the Lobby Bistro breakfast buffet daily. I must say it was one of the best breakfast spreads I’d ever seen. The swanky Panorama Bar and Restaurant was also wonderful — our dinner there included great Portuguese wines and fresh seafood. Because this is the tallest building in Lisbon, the restaurant has the best views in the city.

The ultra-modern Spirito Spa covers a total area of 1,500 square meters and offers eight treatment rooms, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a hammam, chill-out areas, a juice bar and the signature Sheraton Fitness facility.

We were a short taxi ride from the central Lisbon historic area for shops, cafés and touring. We took a day, under the hotel’s direction, for an in-depth tour of the city, including the fortress and other sites. (39/40)

The Experience: The Sheraton Lisboa is well worth a visit. The facilities, the staff and the management give this 5-star property a local feel, an element missing from some other top name-brand properties in the city.

Total Score: 96/100

Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa
Rua Latino Coelho 1
Lisbon 1069, Portugal
tel 351 21 3120000