I stayed here as a weekend add-on to a work trip. Very trendy boutique property with attentive service, modern décor, and excellent location. I’ll definitely come back when next in Lisbon.

Arrival: I took the Aerobus from LIS and was dropped off at the Liberdade stop. Hotel was across the street slightly downhill. The subway would have been convenient too; the Avenieda stop has an exit about 40m from the hotel’s front door.



Check-In: The lobby was packed with stylish locals attending the launch party for a new wine. Check-in lady apologized for the crowd but otherwise followed textbook Marriott procedures. She notified me that I’d been upgraded to a deluxe room and offered the Plat amenity. I chose the “Traditional Portuguese Pastry” and the bottle of Port. As a Plat, she also invited me and my guest to have breakfast (on the weekday and weekend mornings) in the hotel restaurant, and the charged would be removed from the bill.



Hotel Layout: restaurant on the ground floor with courtyard out back. I was in the main tower. Smallish but new stainless steel elevators took me up to my floor. Hallways are jet black with kitschy numbering – kind of like a hipster motif with the mismatched typefaces and mirrored sculptures.




Room: The high-class intentionally mismatched theme continued in the room, with dark walls and treasure chests for nightstands. Room had enough space to spread out but by my American standards wasn’t noticeably large. View out the back was of the Lisbon hills (but no ocean). Beds were on the soft side. The bathroom contained another treasure chest with amenities – disposable slippers, robe, etc. Shower (no tub) had a choice of spray or rain features. Internet was fast enough for speedy web browsing and access to my corporate VPN. Digital safe available and actually secured to the furniture.





Amenity: the pastry and port were delivered about 10 minutes after check-in. Four egg tarts were placed on a hot stone plate with a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar. I almost forgot to take a photo before devouring the sweet, flaky treats.



Breakfast: There were a couple hot items – bacon, (blood?) sausage, eggs. The standard Euro continental offerings were also available, with fruit, cold cuts, bread loaves, and fruit juices. The egg tarts made another appearance, albeit cold.

Check-out: no bill under the door the last morning, so I stopped by the front desk. As promised, the restaurant charges for breakfast were wiped, as well as the internet fees. Got my receipt and was on my way, quick and easy like all Marriotts are supposed to be.

Overall: I’d definitely return to the Fontecruz on my next visit to Lisbon. I spent most of my days out and about, and didn’t really think about my hotel except for the times when they exceeded my expectation (the warm egg tarts, the cool decoration). Highly recommended.