Lisbon's Hidden Gem: SANA Malhoa Hotel - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Lisbon's (Maybe Not-So-Secret) Gem: SANA Malhoa Hotel - Did it Live Up to the Hype?!
Okay, folks, let's be real. Lisbon is gorgeous. And finding a good hotel? Well, that can feel like panning for gold in a particularly dusty creek bed. But I just returned from a stay at the SANA Malhoa Hotel, and the reviews… they were glowing. So, did it live up to the hype? Buckle up, because this is gonna be a long one. Think of it as a travel diary meets a slightly neurotic, coffee-fueled breakdown.
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle: (Spoiler: Pretty Good!)
Getting here was a breeze. The airport transfer they arranged? Smooth as Portuguese custard. (Seriously, that stuff…) The hotel itself is a modern, sleek beast. The lobby? Bright, airy, and teeming with those hushed whispers of luxury that make you feel like you should probably be wearing a hat and holding a tiny dog. (I wasn't. I had a crumpled t-shirt and a backpack. Still felt welcome, though!)
The accessibility was on point. Elevators were plentiful, wide enough to swing a cat (or, you know, a wheelchair), and the staff seemed genuinely concerned with helping. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, which is reassuring. It's important to note that, even though this review covers a lot of ground, I didn't personally experience all the accessibility features, so it's best to check their specific details if that is an important factor. I didn't see any obvious roadblocks, and that's more than can be said for a lot of places. Plus, with things like doorways designed for wheelchairs, the hotel really seems committed. Score one for inclusivity!
Rooms - A Little Slice of Heaven… (Mostly!)
The room! Oh, the room. Okay, I’m a sucker for a good room. I'm looking for a place to spread out, and it needs to be comfortable. The Air conditioning blasted a perfect chill, essential in Lisbon's summer. Blackout curtains meant I could have slept until noon (if I wasn't so addicted to exploring!). They even had a window that opens! (a small, but vital detail.) Free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver. And I'm not just saying that because I'm writing this review! I really enjoyed the Complimentary tea and complimentary bottled water, It made me feel like everything was going to be okay.
The bed… chef's kiss. Seriously, the extra long bed practically swallowed me. The bathrobes were plush. And the shower… well, sometimes I just stood in there for like ten minutes at a time. There's a safe box too, never used it, but it's reassuring.
But (because there's always a "but"), the décor was a little…corporate. Sleek, yes. Stylish, probably. Memorable? Not exactly. (I do think the rooms are non-smoking, but I didn't confirm. Always something to consider!)
Dining & Drinking - A Culinary Adventure? (Or Just a Good Breakfast?)
Okay, here's where things get interesting. The breakfast buffet was a highlight. Seriously. The Western breakfast was on point, and you could get coffee/tea in the restaurant. From bread to pastries, it was all top-notch. A good breakfast can make or break a trip for me, and this one did wonders for my mood.
Restaurants in general are plentiful. The poolside bar seemed popular, but I never actually went there. The restaurants offer A la carte menus and even offer the chance for Alternative meal arrangement. Although I didn't see too many features on Asian cuisine, that may have just been my specific visit.
The happy hour was a welcome touch – perfect for winding down after a day of climbing hills and getting lost in the Alfama district. I didn't get to try any Asian cuisine in the restaurant, but it was there. They also have a coffee shop. The bar was well stocked, but I didn't get to indulge there, either.
I was excited to consider Room service [24-hour], but ultimately, that didn’t happen. The snack bar was my go-to.
The Spa & Relaxation Zone - Bliss or Bust?
The spa… Now, this is where things got a little… messy. I’m a spa person. I love a good massage. And the SANA Malhoa had a whole lineup of options: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom.
I went for the massage. The spa itself was beautiful, calm… but let's just say the massage therapist and I had a bit of a communication breakdown. I asked for “medium pressure,” and I think I got a “gentle breeze.” (I think I was there for a long enough time to notice as I was sitting down.) The swimming pools, including the outdoor pool with view, looked gorgeous, but I didn’t take a dip. I also saw that they have a Fitness center, but I was too busy eating pastries to visit the gym.
So, while the spa environment was lovely, my personal experience was a bit of a letdown. I'm chalking it up to a one-off.
Cleanliness and Safety - The New Normal
In these pandemic times, safety is PARAMOUNT. The hotel has a bunch of measures in place: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol. I felt genuinely safe there. They're doing their best.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
The hotel has some great Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. The concierge was incredibly helpful with recommendations. Seriously, the staff really were a highlight. The daily housekeeping was amazing, and the doorman was always there to greet you.
For the Kids (Or Those Who Like Kids) - Family Matters
I didn’t have any kids with me. I am told that the hotel is Family/child friendly and the hotel's Kids facilities were plentiful. I noticed a Babysitting service.
Getting Around - Getting There & Back Again
The hotel offers an Airport transfer. There is Car park [on-site] and Valet parking.
The Verdict - Would I Go Back?
Okay, let's be real. The SANA Malhoa is a solid choice. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn close. The rooms are comfortable, the breakfast is legendary, and the staff are lovely. Yes, the spa experience wasn't quite what I hoped for. But the overall experience? Positive. Definitely a hidden gem.
Here’s the deal: If you're looking for a comfortable base in Lisbon with excellent service, and a focus on accessibility, then I'd say book it. It may not be the most exciting hotel in the world, but it's a reliable, well-managed, and generally lovely place to stay. And hey, if you go, maybe you can get a better massage than I did. Just, you know, specify the pressure. And for goodness sake, get the breakfast!
The Offer (Because I Know You Want One!):
Ready to experience Lisbon's (almost) perfectly hidden gem? Book your stay at the SANA Malhoa Hotel now and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of Portuguese wine upon arrival (Because, why not?)
- A 15% discount on your first spa treatment (Maybe you'll have better luck than me!)
- Free upgrade to a room with a view (Subject to availability, but hey, it's worth a shot!)
Just use code "LISBONLOVE" at checkout. Let's get you booking!
Siena's Hidden Gem: Hotel Minerva - Unforgettable Italian Escape
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma’s perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is… my attempt at navigating Lisbon, and specifically, the supposed luxury of the SANA Malhoa Hotel. Prepare for some glorious train wrecks, unexpected delights, and the general chaos that is my brain.
Lisbon, Portugal – AKA, Where My Wanderlust Dreams Meet Reality (and Often, Chaos)
Hotel: SANA Malhoa Hotel (…Hopefully a Sanctuary, Not a Sinking Ship)
Day 1: Arrival & Accidental Espresso Overdose
- Morning (ish, because let's be real, jet lag is a beast): Arrive at Lisbon Airport. Find my transfer… eventually. Turns out, "near the airport" can mean a solid 30-minute taxi ride. Cue internal grumbling about poorly worded booking confirmations.
- Afternoon: Check into the SANA Malhoa. First impressions? Slick. Modern. A little… corporate for my taste. Felt like I was walking into a tech conference lobby, not a Portuguese escape. The room! Okay, decent view, thankfully. But the minibar? Oh, the minibar. I’m pretty sure it’s been curated by a sadist who knows you're jet-lagged and vulnerable. Snacks that cost more than my rent.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (The Caffeine Catastrophe): Decided to be cultured. Explore, find a proper Portuguese cafe, you know, drink some coffee, soak up the atmosphere. Found one. Beautiful. The decor was stunning. However, I underestimated the Portuguese love of strong coffee. I ordered an espresso. Then another one. And another… Let's just say, the next three hours were a blur of rapid Portuguese (I don't speak Portuguese), a near-panic attack about the steepness of the hills (Lisbon's a killer!), and the distinct feeling that I could run a marathon.
- Rambling Aside: Seriously, those hills. They're no joke. My thighs cursed every cobblestone. I spent what felt like a solid hour just trying not to tumble down a particularly steep incline, clinging to a bewildered street dog for dear life. It was, in retrospect, hilarious. In the moment? Less so.
- Evening: Managed to stumble back to the SANA Malhoa, convinced I'd unlocked the secrets of time travel. Ate a sad, overpriced burger from room service. Regretted it. Wondered if the minibar had any Xanax. (Spoiler alert: It didn't). Decided to watch some TV. The only channel I could understand was a Portuguese baking show. Concluded that I would learn how to bake instead of drinking.
Day 2: History, Hiccups, and a Heart Full of Fado (and Port Wine)
- Morning: Attempted a walking tour. The tour guide was lovely, but I was still mostly jittery from yesterday. Still, I saw the Jerónimos Monastery, which was magnificent. The history! The architecture! The (thankfully limited) pigeons!
- Quirky Observation: The Jerónimos Monastery… it's so vast. So imposing. You can practically feel the weight of history. And everyone was looking at it, except this little kid who just stared at the pigeons. Priorities, people!
- Afternoon: Lost in the Alfama district. This area is a maze of narrow streets and colorful buildings. Absolutely magical… and also, terrifyingly easy to get lost in. Wandered for what felt like hours, bought a ridiculously oversized ceramic rooster (because, Lisbon), and almost got run over by a tram. (Seriously, those trams are sneaky.)
- Anecdote: Found a tiny, hidden courtyard filled with bougainvillea. Took a moment to breathe, to feel the sun on my face, and thought, "This is why I travel." Then, immediately afterwards, remembered I had no idea where I was going and my phone was dying. Classic.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Fado show! Oh. Em. Gee. This was the highlight. The music. The emotion. It was almost painful, in the best way possible. Sat there, eyes stinging, desperately trying not to cry (success! Mostly…). Followed it up with copious amounts of port wine.
- Doubling Down on Experience: The Fado. The Fado. It felt like my soul was being wrung out and put in a beautiful, sad song. The vocalist… she didn’t just sing; she lived the lyrics. You could feel every heartbreak, every longing. Every sip of port felt like another layer of understanding. I’m not even sure I understood all the words, but I felt them. It was a primal, visceral experience. Forget the tourist traps, the museums this, the cathedrals that, go find Fado. Find it, and let it wash over you.
- Evening: Stumbled back to the hotel. This time, I ordered room service Portuguese Stew (it was amazing!) and slept like the dead.
Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra & The Great Pastry Heist
- Morning: Train to Sintra. Prettiest place! Seriously, it's like a fairytale exploded. Pena Palace? Jaw-dropping. Quinta da Regaleira? Mystical and strange. Got completely lost wandering the gardens, which took me a while since my sense of direction is not the best, and my feet hurt.
- Emotional Reaction: (Good!): Sintra is breathtaking. Everything is so colorful and vibrant. I swear, the castle seemed to be mocking me with how pretty it was.
- Afternoon: Pastries (specifically, pastéis de nata, AKA custard tarts). Specifically, a lot of pastries. Specifically, a slightly shameful number of pastries. Let’s just say I may have… accidentally bought a whole box. Then, while waiting for the train, I may have… accidentally eaten them all.
- Messier Structure & Rambling: Okay, here’s the thing. Pastéis de nata are the reason I came to Portugal. They’re crispy, creamy, sweet… basically, little bites of heaven. Found a hole-in-the-wall place, and the lady gave me a look, which was my signal to eat more.
- Evening: Back in Lisbon. Reflected on pastry consumption. Went to bed early.
Day 4: Belém Tower, Belem, and Goodbye
- Morning: Explored Belém, visited the Belém Tower, which was beautiful! The view of the sea was just breath-taking.
- Afternoon: Checked out of the SANA Malhoa, with a lingering thought that it was just a hotel, nothing more.
- Late Afternoon: Headed to the airport.
Final Thoughts:
Lisbon. What a city! A whirlwind of history, hills, coffee, amazing food, and emotional experiences. I’m a little bit bruised, a little bit broke, and a whole lot more in love with Portugal… despite the sheer caffeine-induced chaos and my perpetual state of being lost. Would I recommend the SANA Malhoa? It's a solid hotel, it did the job. But the city itself? Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. And I’ll be back. Just… maybe with a much smaller box of pastries next time. And maybe a map. And definitely a long, hard look at my coffee consumption.
Unwind in Paradise: Mercure Nagano's Stunning Mountain Spa Awaits!
SANA Malhoa Hotel: Your Lisbon Dream... Or is it? Let's Spill the Tea!
Okay, spill it: Is the SANA Malhoa *really* as luxurious as the reviews say?
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually a "hidden gem"?
The Pool - Worth the Hype?
Breakfast: Yay or Nay? Give it to me straight!
The Spa - Is it any good? I need to know!
What are the rooms like? Are they actually nice to stay in?
Is there anything NOT to like about the SANA Malhoa? Give me the bad bits!
Food - What about the restaurant? Worth it?
