Pestana Rua Augusta

Pestana Rua Augusta, a Michelin Key Selected property in Lisbon, Portugal, consistently earns high praise from guests for its prime location, exceptional service, and chic design. The hotel combines modern aesthetics with classic Portuguese charm, featuring distinct plant and floral themes on each floor and a striking lobby adorned with a mirrored bar and a blue and white tile mural by artist Eduardo Nery.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Pestana Rua Augusta is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "excellent," "exceptional," and "gorgeous." Review scores on various platforms typically range from 9.2 to 9.6 out of 10, with specific high marks for location, cleanliness, and staff performance. The hotel is a "Michelin Key Selected property," underscoring its commitment to quality and a superior guest experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Pestana Rua Augusta:

• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently highlighted as "friendly," "helpful," "competent," and going "above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay. Multilingual staff are readily available.
• Location: The hotel's "perfectly positioned" spot on Rua Augusta, a lively pedestrian street, is a major draw. It's "central to everything" and just "steps from the Rua Augusta Arch," Commerce Square, and the Tagus River waterfront.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "modern look with vintage details" and "chic boutique style" are appreciated. The lobby, with its mirrored bar and tribute to Eduardo Nery's tile art, creates a distinctive atmosphere.
• Amenities: Complimentary minibars with initial beverages, free and fast Wi-Fi, and soundproof rooms are highly valued.

3. Room Quality

The 89 air-conditioned rooms at Pestana Rua Augusta are generally described as "welcoming, comfortable, and quiet," with a "modern feel." They are often highlighted for their cleanliness and soundproofing, ensuring a relaxing atmosphere despite the central location.

Rooms are well-equipped with amenities such as iPod docking stations, minibars, LED televisions with cable channels, laptop-compatible safes, and complimentary wireless internet access. Bathrooms feature showers with rainfall showerheads and hair dryers. Many rooms boast balconies overlooking the historic streets, with some even offering views of São Jorge Castle. However, some guests have noted concerns regarding "bathroom privacy" and a few found rooms to be "too small." While beds are generally comfortable, some guests found the pillows to be less so.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a positive dining experience with two restaurants and a bar.

• Breakfast: The breakfast is frequently praised as "delicious" and "amazing" by guests. It is available for a surcharge, approximately EUR 18 for adults.
• Olive Restaurant: Located on Rua Augusta, this restaurant focuses on "healthy food with seasonal and local produce" and features a terrace offering views of the Rua Augusta Arch.
• Morsi: This restaurant serves New York-style pizzas, available whole or by the slice.
• Nery Bar: A sophisticated setting where guests can enjoy unique cocktails, featuring a notable tile mural. While the dining is generally well-received, some guests have mentioned that the hotel's food and bar drinks can be "a little expensive." One older review also noted a lack of room service for coffee or breakfast.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Pestana Rua Augusta is consistently rated as exceptional. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "friendly," "helpful," "competent," "polite," and "respectful." There are numerous accounts of staff going "above and beyond," providing thoughtful touches like complimentary champagne and cake for special occasions, or gifts upon checkout. The presence of multilingual staff further enhances the guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is undoubtedly one of its strongest assets, scoring an impressive 9.9 out of 10 for location on Booking.com. Situated on the vibrant pedestrian Rua Augusta, it places guests in the heart of Lisbon's Baixa district.

Key attractions and transport links are incredibly accessible:

• Immediate Vicinity: Steps from the Rua Augusta Arch, Commerce Square, and the Tagus River waterfront.
• Walking Distance: Rossio Square (6-7 minute walk), Santa Justa Lift (5 minute walk), São Jorge Castle (7-13 minute walk), Lisbon Cathedral (3 minute walk), and the Baixa and Chiado districts are all easily reachable on foot.
• Public Transport: Public transportation options, including the Metro and bus stops, are within 50 meters, and the Baixa-Chiado underground station is just steps away, making exploration of Lisbon very convenient.
• Airport Access: Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is approximately 7.3 km away.

7. Value & Pricing

Pestana Rua Augusta is generally considered to offer "good value for the money." Room rates can fluctuate, with prices typically starting from around $108 and going upwards, depending on the room type and time of year. Guests looking for more budget-friendly options might find better deals during the low season, particularly in January and November. It's important to note that a city tax of EUR 4.00 per person, per night (for up to 7 nights, excluding children under 13), applies. For guests traveling with pets, a fee of EUR 30 per pet, per night, is charged for specific room types. While generally good value, some guests found the overall pricing, particularly for hotel food and bar services, to be on the higher side.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Noise Levels: Despite soundproofed rooms, some guests, particularly those in rooms on lower floors or facing the bustling street or hotel lounge, reported issues with noise.
• Room Size: A minority of guests found their rooms to be "too small."
• Bathroom Privacy: Some reviews mentioned concerns regarding privacy within the bathrooms.
• Pillow Comfort: While beds are generally comfortable, some guests expressed dissatisfaction with the comfort of the pillows.
• Inconsistent Housekeeping: Isolated complaints surfaced about housekeeping inconsistencies, such as not vacuuming the room floor, or forgetting to refill toiletries or water bottles.

Sources

1. kayak.com
2. booking.com
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4. michelin.com
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6. lastminute.com
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10. luxuryescapes.com
11. expedia.com
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16. lisbongreathotels.com
17. toplisbonhotels.com