Almaria Ex Libris Apartments | Chiado

Almaria Ex Libris Apartments | Chiado, Lisbon (Michelin Key Selected) - A Refined Apartment-Hotel Experience in the Heart of Lisbon

Almaria Ex Libris Apartments in Chiado, Lisbon, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its unique blend of luxurious apartment living and hotel-like services. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional location, beautifully designed and well-equipped apartments, and the attentive staff as defining features of their stay.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Almaria Ex Libris Apartments is overwhelmingly positive, with an "exceptional" rating of 9.5 based on over 900 reviews on one platform and a "Wonderful" rating of 9.0 on another. Guests describe their experience as comfortable, stylish, clean, and often exceeding expectations. The property successfully offers "the best of all worlds; an apartment and a hotel."

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Almaria Ex Libris:

• Location: Its prime position in the vibrant Chiado neighborhood is a recurring highlight, placing guests within walking distance of major attractions, shops, and restaurants.
• Design & Comfort: The apartments are celebrated for their elegant, contemporary design that thoughtfully blends classic Portuguese elements with modern comforts.
• Amenities & Space: The spacious, fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, smart TVs, and espresso machines are frequently appreciated by guests, offering a true "home away from home" feeling.
• Breakfast & Fresh Bread: The daily delivery of fresh bread and a replenished continental breakfast in the fridge is a much-loved amenity.
• Service: The helpful and accommodating concierge and staff receive consistent commendation for their professionalism and willingness to assist.

3. Room Quality

The 17 apartments at Almaria Ex Libris are meticulously designed for comfort and elegance. They feature modern décor, often incorporating pieces by renowned Portuguese artists and designers. Guests can expect spacious layouts with high ceilings, large windows, and wooden floors. Each apartment is fully equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, soundproofed windows, Wi-Fi, smart TVs, safe, washing and drying machines, ironing facilities, and a fully equipped kitchen including a coffee machine, microwave, oven, and dishwasher. Some apartments offer balconies or terraces, with lucky guests enjoying views of the Tagus River. The design often incorporates literary themes, paying homage to Portugal's famous authors.

4. Dining Experience

Almaria Ex Libris operates on an apartment-hotel concept, meaning there isn't an expansive lobby, restaurant, or hotel bar on-site. However, the property excels in providing a convenient and much-appreciated breakfast service. A continental breakfast, including fresh fruit, eggs, cheeses, cold meats, yogurt, and milk, is placed in the apartment's refrigerator daily, along with a delightful delivery of fresh bread and pastries to the door each morning. Guests with dietary restrictions or allergies can inform the staff in advance to personalize their breakfast supplies. For other meals, the excellent location in Chiado means a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bars are available within a short 5-minute walk. Room service with an exclusive gastronomic offer is also available seven days a week from 12:00h to 24:00h.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Almaria Ex Libris is consistently described as "hotel-like in all the best ways." Guests frequently praise the staff for being professional, accommodating, friendly, helpful, and going out of their way to ensure a perfect stay. Concierge services are available from 8 AM to 6 PM to assist with reservations, recommendations, and any guest needs. Guests have particularly appreciated assistance with early check-in and accommodating special requests like gluten-free breakfasts.

6. Location & Accessibility

Situated on Rua da Misericórdia in the heart of Lisbon's Chiado neighborhood, Almaria Ex Libris boasts an "excellent" and "prime" location. This central position offers easy access to a multitude of attractions, shopping, and dining options. Guests are within walking distance of Rossio Square, Avenida da Liberdade, the Santa Justa Lift, and the lively Bairro Alto district, known for its nightlife. The Baixa-Chiado metro station is just a 5-minute walk away, providing convenient access to other parts of the city. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is approximately 8.3 km (5.2 miles) from the property, with airport transfers available or a metro journey taking about 30 minutes.

7. Value & Pricing

While some guests have questioned if the experience is commensurate with the high nightly cost, many consider it good value, especially given the central Lisbon location and the spaciousness of the apartments. The inclusion of a well-stocked kitchen and daily breakfast also adds to the perceived value. Pricing is typical for a luxury apartment-hotel in a prime European capital, though specific ranges are not consistently provided in the reviews. A city tax of EUR 4.00 per person per night (up to 7 nights, children under 13 exempt) applies.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Bathroom Counter Space: A few guests wished for more counter space in the bathroom sink area.
• Noise: Despite excellent double-glazed windows, some guests in apartments facing the street reported hearing street noise, particularly on Friday nights. Noise from neighboring rooms or hallways due to older building insulation has also been mentioned.
• Lack of Public Spaces: As an apartment-hotel, there is no expansive lobby or other public spaces like a traditional hotel restaurant or bar.
• No Private Outdoor Space in all Units: One-bedroom apartments do not typically have private outdoor spaces.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. michelin.com
4. i-escape.com
5. booking.com
6. almaria.pt
7. expedia.com
8. lisbon-hotel.org
9. michelin.com