Choice Privileges - Choice Hotels in Portugal ??

I am going to Portugal in Sept for 2 week vacation and wanted to know what the Choice properties are like. I know they only have a few. I do not need the Ritz, but like clean and comfortable.

Also, I am not an Elite Choice member, but do have 80+ K points. How difficult is it to get an Award reservation with Choice. I think I only can do so 60 days in advance.

I haven't been to any of the Choice properties in Portugal, but availability for award redemption is generally not a problem with choice. In general, as long as there is a standard room (and sometimes more than just standard rooms) available for cash, you can book one for points, subject to that annoying 30/40/60/90 day advance booking window.

We stayed at the Clarion Suites Lisbon a couple of years ago.

While it's not a Ritz, it's even better than as you say clean and comfortable. It's a 5 minute walk to the subway. I'd go back in a minute. Even my wife liked it. :o :cool:

I've stayed at the Quality Inn Porto on Praca da Batalha. It's a decent place, centrally located; in 2007 it was a terrific bargain at 6000 points a night; I see that they've raised it to 10,000. I booked it at the 60-day mark without trouble, and the city was packed for an air show.

I had a paid stay at the Comfort Inn Embaixador in Lisbon. Again it was fine; the breakfast room is on top with a nice view of the city. It's in the area of wide boulevards, with good access around the city either with a long walk or public transportation.

Thanks so much. Amazing how much info one can get on FT.

Although may be 10k points -- the normal rates for an ave. hotel are likely about $120 -- so a good deal in my opinion. Now I just have to wait until I am 60 days out.

Off subject (but saw comments on other threads) -- my choice stay points have been posted about 2 days aftet the stay in past week. More than acceptable! And all properties were a 8+ out of 10.