Lisbon Luxury: Iberostar Selection's Unforgettable Escape!
Lisbon Luxury: Iberostar Selection's Unforgettable Escape! (Or Is It?) - A Frankly Honest Review.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the (very expensive) tea on the Iberostar Selection in Lisbon. They call it an "unforgettable escape." Let's see if my memory – usually fueled by caffeine and crippling self-doubt – actually agrees. SEO and metadata be damned (for now!), let's get real.
First Impressions & the Quest for Accessibility (and Sanity)
The Iberostar. Sounds fancy-schmancy, right? Walking in, there’s that typical lobby jazz: polished floors, overly helpful staff (more on them later), and the vague promise of luxuriousness. Accessibility? Okay, that's a real concern for me, since I travel with my grandmother, who uses a wheelchair. The good news? They claim to be wheelchair accessible. The reality? Largely true, but with the usual caveats. Ramps felt a little… steep in places. The elevators were thankfully spacious. Finding your way around, however, took a few tries. It’s definitely better than some places, but if you’re reliant on perfect accessibility, double-check everything beforehand with the hotel. Better safe than sorry, and less stressed.
Getting Online (A Modern-Day Necessity)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" they boast. Praise be! And it's actually… decent. Pretty reliable for streaming and, you know, staying connected to the real world. Internet [LAN] is an option too, for those tech dinosaurs who still cling to wired connections. Public Wi-Fi? Also available, didn't test its strength heavily, as i preferred my own hotspot.
Rooms & Restful Moments (AKA, Where the Magic Happens… Or Doesn't)
The room. Ah, yes, the room. I had a Non-smoking room, thankfully. Features: Air conditioning (essential in Lisbon’s summer!), blackout curtains (AMEN!), a desk (for pretending to work), a mini-bar (for indulging), and surprisingly comfy extra long bed, as i requested. Bathroom: Private, shower and all the standard toiletries. Clean enough, although again, I'm pretty picky. Found fresh towels every day! Now, the real test: the soundproofing. This, my friends, is crucial. Luckily, the soundproof rooms did their job. No screaming seagulls or boisterous neighbors. A minor thing: the window that opens. This is good for fresh air, but I'm always slightly paranoid about falling out.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Or A Pricey Meal)
I'm a foodie, so this is where the rubber meets the road. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes. The usual suspects were there: eggs, bacon, pastries, the works. Asian breakfast was an option! The coffee/tea in restaurant was okay, nothing to write home about. I prefer a strong brew. A la carte in restaurant available! You could order dishes here and there. The restaurant situation: generally fine, but the prices made my eyes water a bit. Restaurants: multiple, including an Asian cuisine in restaurant. Poolside bar – perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail. Happy hour? Blessedly, yes! It helped to soften the blow on my budget. They did offer Vegetarian restaurant options, and even, a Western cuisine in restaurant. The one thing i missed: a good, honest, cheap café nearby. You know, the kind where you can grab a bite without breaking the bank.
Keeping Busy (Or Trying To Relax)
Things to do, ways to relax: okay, this is where Iberostar really tries to impress. Swimming pool: Beautiful. Views of the city. Pool with view: Yes. The Spa/sauna were fantastic and well-maintained. I had a massage that almost made me cry (in a good way). The Gym/fitness was well equipped. They offered a Body scrub, which I chickened out on because I felt self-conscious! The Steamroom did the trick of relaxation. Overall: Good, but the price tag definitely reflects it.
Cleanliness and Safety (In a Pandemic World)
Cleanliness and safety is a must!. They were clearly trying. Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays. Staff trained in safety protocol. They used Anti-viral cleaning products. Safe dining setup, and they provided Individually-wrapped food options. I appreciated all of this, but honestly, I still found myself wiping down everything with my own travel wipes. Just a personal neurosis, I guess.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Extras)
Daily housekeeping : excellent. Room was always perfect when i returned. Elevator: yes, thankfully. Concierge: mixed bag. Some were amazing, others seemed… preoccupied. Doorman: Helpful. The Gift/souvenir shop was there, just in case you suddenly needed a Lisbon-branded mug.
For the Kids (The "Family-Friendly" Factor)
Babysitting service was available, but I didn’t use it. Kids facilities were there. It seemed they were family-friendly at the right moments.
Getting Around (The Lisbon Labyrinth)
Cark park [on-site]: available (if you have a car). Airport transfer was an option. Taxi service at the ready.
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly (My Personal Rants)
Okay, the good: the views, the spa, the overall level of polish is impressive. The bad: the price tag, the occasional stuffy atmosphere. The ugly? Hmm, nothing truly ugly, just… little annoyances, like a lack of spontaneous energy.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Maybe. If I had a serious case of "treat-yo-self" syndrome and wanted to be pampered, yes. If I was on a budget? Absolutely not. Lisbon is an amazing city. You can have an “unforgettable escape” there without dropping a small fortune. So, is the Iberostar Selection "unforgettable?" Parts of it, yes. The rest? Well, it's up to you to decide if the glitz and glamour are worth it. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for the privilege.
Shanghai's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Hanting Hotel Wanda Surprise!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-planned Lisbon itinerary. We're going full-on, messy-but-magical, I-probably-need-more-coffee-fueled adventure in the heart of Portugal! We're talking Iberostar Selection Lisboa, and trust me, it's gonna get real… real quick.
My Lisbon Labyrinth: An Imperfectly Perfect Diary
Day 1: Arrival & That Damn Elevator (and Pastel de Nata HEAVEN)
Morning (because jet lag is a BEAST): Arrive at Lisbon Airport. Ugh, the airport is… well, an airport. Found my ride (thank god for pre-booked transfers, otherwise I'd be wandering around looking lost, which… I probably will anyway). The Iberostar looms into view – sleek, modern, with a promise of comfy beds. Check-in? Smooth as butter. Except for the elevator. THE. ELEVATOR. Keeps. Stopping. Between. Floors. Like, seriously? We're talking the elevator being test of my patience here. First impression: Good hotel, potentially demonic elevator.
Afternoon (Carbo-Loading Alert): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered what looked like a simple sandwich. Turns out it was a gourmet masterpiece. Suddenly, the elevator's sins are forgiven. Mostly. But the true test of Lisbon? Pastel de Nata. Wander out, find the nearest bakery. Bite one, and… cue angel choir. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I saw actual sunlight bursting from my eyes. My inner foodie screamed with joy. I mean, I promptly ate three. (Don't judge!)
Evening (Lost and Loving It): Wandering around the neighborhood. Got a bit disoriented – classic me. Ended up in a charming little square with a tiny cafe. Sat down, ordered a glass of vinho verde (that green wine? Divine). Watched the locals go by, feeling that first, intoxicating wave of Portugal. This is why I travel. This is why I live. Dinner? Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place. Best. Seafood. Ever. (Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but it was close.)
Day 2: Castles, Cathedrals & That Tram That Nearly Squashed Me
Morning (Trying To Be Cultured, Failing Slightly): Decided to be a good tourist and visit São Jorge Castle. Stunning views of the city. Spent a ridiculous amount of time just staring. Got distracted by the peacocks – they're sassy, loud birds. Then the train. I thought I was on a nice, slow ride to the castle. What I didn't know was, it was the infamous tram. And it moves fast. So fast. And then I almost got squashed by one when it came running back. I swear, it was a Hollywood stunt gone wrong.
Afternoon (Cathedral Chaos): Next up: the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). Beautiful, imposing. Tried to look spiritual and contemplative, but mostly I was wondering if I could get away with wearing my sunglasses indoors. Ended up sitting and watching the pigeons outside: they're quite entertaining.
Evening (Fado & Feeling): Time for Fado! Found a tiny, dimly lit restaurant. The music? Heart-wrenching. The food? Okay. (Let's be honest, the Fado was the main event.) The singer's voice, it was just… pure emotion. Tears welled up – probably more from the red wine than anything, but hey, the drama was real. Walked back to the hotel, feeling strangely melancholy and also incredibly happy, all mixed up. Yeah, Portugal is doing things to my soul, man.
Day 3: Sintra, Fairytales & the Return of the Elevator Curse
Morning (Sintra Dreamin'): Day trip to Sintra! The Pena Palace… is like stepping into a cartoon. Seriously, the colors! The architecture! I spent hours wandering around, feeling like I was in a real-life fairytale. The gardens were equally stunning. Also, the crowds were insane. Soooo many tourists. But, hey, the views were worth it. (Pro tip: Go early, beat the hordes.)
Afternoon (Mountain Madness): Climbed to the top of the Moorish Castle. My legs are killing me! The view from up there? Unbelievable. The wind whipping around, feeling like I was on top of the world. Then, the walk down the steep, uneven steps. My knees are not happy.
Evening (Elevator, Part Deux): Back to the hotel. Guess what? THE ELEVATOR. IS. STILL. ATROCIOUS. Spent an eternity waiting. Seriously, they need to hire a technician. Or, maybe just build a really, really long staircase. Ate a late dinner at the hotel bar, nursing my aching legs and elevator-induced frustration.
Day 4: Shopping, Street Art & Goodbyes (for Now)
Morning (Retail Therapy): Hit up the shops in the Chiado district. Found some amazing souvenirs. (Okay, maybe more for me than anyone else…) Got lost in the maze of streets, discovering hidden boutiques and charming cafes. Ended up buying a ridiculously expensive leather bag I probably didn't need. Worth it? Maybe. Probably not. But hey, it's a good story!
Afternoon (Street Art & Sighs): Explored the backstreets, admiring the street art. Lisbon is full of amazing murals and graffiti – a burst of color and creativity. Spent ages taking photos. Felt a pang of sadness knowing I was leaving soon.
Evening (Final Feast & Farewell): One last incredible meal. Tried a different seafood place – because, why not? Walked along the waterfront, watching the sunset paint the sky in vibrant hues. Lisbon, you absolute stunner. It's been messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. Iberostar, you provided a comfortable base for all my shenanigans (minus the elevator). As I packed my bags, I knew… I'd be back.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- The Elevator: Seriously, Iberostar needs to sort that out. It's a minor tragedy.
- Pasteis de Nata: I gained a solid five pounds. Worth it.
- Lisbon: Brilliant, chaotic, beautiful, and utterly captivating. Go. Just go. You won't regret it. (Unless you get stuck in that elevator. Then, maybe a little regret.)
- Me: I need another vacation.
Lisbon Luxury: Iberostar Selection’s Unforgettable (Mostly!) Escape - Your Burning Questions Answered (with a Side of My Brain's Commentary!)
So, is this whole "Luxury Escape" thing at the Iberostar actually, you know, *luxury*?
What about the location? Is it actually in a good spot?
And the food? Gotta know about the food!
Any unexpected downsides? Spill the tea!
Okay, the pool situation? Tell me *everything*.
Would you go back? Be honest!
