just a few comments on my 4 night stay at Lisbon Fontecruz during November...

Liked the location very much. Midway between the new modern section of Lisbon and the old town (10 min walk). Was very happy that I chose this hotel rather than full service Marriott even though it was $25 more expensive and had no lounge. I am finding that in Europe I prefer the Autograph Collection properties over the FS because their locations are often more central and frankly the FS Marriott lounges are pretty mediocre and FS often located in non-central and poorly city-accessible areas. For me, a nice breakfast in the restaurant more than makes up for the lack of lounge. This breakfast had all the basics with good quality but I would have enjoyed a made-to-order omelet on occasion.

A few disappointments... For the first time in my life (over 10 years of being platinum) I sent back the platinum amenity. I felt it was an insult and wanted to make a statement to management. On hilitr recommendation I ordered the egg tarts and port. (his photo above shows 4 medium size tarts, strawberry garnish, small bottle of port) Now the offering is just 2 tiny tarts (1.25" each) and one very small glass of port (not a bottle as pictured by hilitr). The port glass is filled about an inch (similar to what hilitr poured in his picture). Really??? My suggestion is to take the 500 points and try the egg tarts (Pastel de Nata) in the morning at breakfast. If you arrive before 10 am there generally are some left on the breakfast buffet. They are delicious and can be found in many bakeries or coffee houses around Lisbon for about 50 cents each so do be sure to try them.

Also, I enjoy a tea kettle in the room to make tea/coffee/soup at my leisure. Most hotels in Europe have them. This one did not. If a hotel doesn't want to put them in all the rooms at least put them in the upper level rooms and have a few extras for those of us who request one. This hotel's answer was to bring up a carafe of hot water (no cup, no teabag) which doesn't solve the problem as the water doesn't stay hot for long.

Small matter, but there were no elec charge sockets by the beds. Not a big deal but I would have been helpful to be able to recharge as I'm reading my iPad.

Otherwise I enjoyed this property. Upon checkin they had upgraded me one level to a deluxe room avenue view. I asked if it would be possible for a terrace room and after 2 long phone calls and a lot of chatter I was upgraded to one with a residential view. I didn't realize that it really was kind of a waste because it was so cold in Lisbon that week (mid 50s) that I couldn't enjoy the outdoors but I did appreciate the gesture. Unlike others, I was ok with the dark decor of the hotel.

I took the metro to the hotel from the airport. Very easy. Take red line to the end, change (there are elevators if you have luggage) to blue line for a few stops to Avenida which is directly across the avenue from the hotel. At Avenida I could not find an elevator but I think if I had looked more carefully there would have been one as that was the only stop in all of Lisbon and Porto metros I took that didn't have either an escalator or elevator. The metros in Portugal are really top notch. Trip took about half an hour mid morning and cost 1.25 euros. Would choose this method again.

TV had CNBC which I greatly appreciated. I think Bloomberg also, but not sure. 5-6 other english stations too but no CNN which surprised me although their worldwide coverage has so deteriorated lately that I only watch if there are no other English stations. Internet was good...not great but perfectly adequate for my needs. I did not try a Skype call so I can't comment if wifi strong enough for that or VPN.

After this stay I went to Doubletree for 1 night (needed a stay for a promo). Didn't like that location as much as Fontecruz. More financial area and didn't feel like I was in Lisbon, I could have been in any big city. But for those of you on a budget or who like more of the "American standard luxuries" in a room this may be a solid choice. Room had tea kettle with tea/coffee/mugs, tissues, alarm clock, elec sockets by the beds, made-to-order eggs with free elite breakfast, and was about $50 less than my rate at Fontecruz . For me, I prefer and would return to Fontecruz for it's location.