A Very Pleasant Hotel in the Heart of Estoril (Hotel Londres, Estoril)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Hotel Londres, Estoril
Date:	24/04/09 (164 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great location near all amenities and close to Beaches, Casino, Shops and Cascais

Disadvantages: Freezing Cold water in the Swimming Pool

There are two hotels that I always stay in when visiting Estoril and both recently have had a face lift. The first hotel I am going to review for you is called The Hotel Londres.

This small but cosy hotel is in a good situation in Estoril being only a short walk to the railway station and a down hill stroll to the beach and all the attractions that Estoril has to offer like the casino and gardens.

If like me you arrive in Estoril by car you will find that you have to park your vehicle on the pavement as the hotel doesn't have any car parking facilities. The Estoril Coast is linked to Lisbon (Cais do Sodre station) by a train service taking about 30 minutes between Estoril and Lisbon. The road transport network is run by the Rodoviaria Nacional and there are several departures a day from Lisbon to Estoril/Cascais. You could also take a taxi from Lisbon. Taxis are good, reasonably cheap and fast. You are allowed to hail a cab or you can find one at a taxi stand or station. Always ask the price, negotiate if necessary and agree on a price before you get into the cab.

The facade of the hotel is very 80's - oblong shaped with with lots of windows. The entrance to the hotel is situated on the main road and once inside you have to climb up a few steps to the reception desk which is very long and is made of solid oak with pigeon holes at the back for keys and letters. Usually 2 or 3 staff are on reception and are always very helpful. Booking in is very easy - your details are taken from your passport which is then given back to you and you are given a key and shown to your room. If you wish for your luggage to be taken this can be arranged. We always walk up the stairs to the rooms but there is a lift. Newspapers in different languages can be purchased from reception.

We always try to choose a room overlooking the pool as it is very attractive with various palms, cacti, borganvilla and other Portuguese shrubs and plants bordering the pool.

The rooms aren't huge but attractive in a simple and tasteful way. Curtains and bedspreads match which I am always happy to see. Furniture consists of two seperate beds with pine headboards, a fitted wardrobe built into the wall and a long oblong desk with a mirror above. Well, I say desk but it is more like a wooden work surface on legs. I suppose this is an area for you to sit while you put your make up on , pour yourself a beer or make a cup of tea except that you will have to bring your own kettle etc as there are no tea making facilities. Inside the wardrobe you will find extra pillows and two extra woollen blankets and if you visit early Spring or from September you may need these as it does get chilly in the evenings.

There is an en suite bathroom which has a bath and shower and wash basin. All bathroom accessories are in white with marble tiles for splashbacks. Towels are changed every day and these are a as stiff as a board and tend to scratch your skin as they are so hard. Rooms are cleaned every day by maids and I have to say are left spotless. There is a little terrace or balcao as we say in Portuguese. This is a pleasant area for you to sit as it overlooks the pool and garden.

All rooms have air conditioning but in my experience it takes ages to work out how to turn the damn thing on and then when you get that far you find out it is broken. I have had very frustrating evenings in April in this hotel fighting with the system to try and turn it over to central heating. Also, these systems are very noisy and I usually end up turning it off anyway because I can't hear myself think.

For TV lovers there is also a TV with satelite channels but there are only a few English speaking channels. Still, Portuguese TV is a lot better than it used to be and there are now some very good sit coms. You will be given your remote to the TV when you check in and you have to hand it into reception on your departure. This is a Portugese bit of querkiness.

The lounge area is very pleasant with a seating area set in alcoves with various plants hanging from shelves as well as Portuguese handicrafts on display. I have always found the lounge area to be very quiet which is peaceful and not full of rowdy golfers.

The dining room is large but busy with furniture, plants and knick knacks which gives it an overall homely feeling. Tables seat two people and here you can choose to eat breakfast which is an American buffet style, lunch and dinner. We have only ever eaten breakfast because we always skip lunch and eat out in the evening. I can say that there is a wide variety to choose from the breakfast buffet and it is usually very artistically presented and colour coordinated with the central piece being a huge flower display or a display of fruit that looks like a Matisse painting. Freshly brewed coffee is available as well as fresh fruit juices. There is always an array of fresh fruit, fresh jams and honey, cakes and pastries, bacon, egg dishes, sausages, hot and cold cereal, dried fruits and a vast selection of bread, rolls and croissants. Portuguese breakfast sausages are not like English sausages as they are more like hot dog sausages and have a high garlic content and Portuguese bacon rashers are small, thin and smoked.

The swimming pool is large and spotlessly clean with sun loungers and a bar overlooking the pool for when you need to order your cold beer or glass of wine. Be warned the pool is absolutely freezing even in June and July. I have only ever known the water to be reasonably warm in mid July and August. It is not for the faint hearted and if you have a heart problem stay well clear until August.

Wi-fi is available in the bar and lounge area and if you need to get a new hair do during your stay it can be arranged at reception.

So to sum up the Londres Hotel I would say it is a pleasant and intimate hotel with friendly and helpful staff. The hotel is situated in a great location very near to all the amenities and about a 15 minute stroll into Cascais where there are numerous attractions to see and some fantastic fish restaurants. Close by you will find a bank, cafes, restaurants and shops and a chemist. If you visit in April strawberries will be on sale everywhere in the shops near to the hotel - buy a kilo or two as they are small, sweet and delicious, much nicer than Spanish strawberries and probably the best in Europe!

Summary: A Great Little Hotel