Your stay — Chez Alex
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The Property — Chez Alex
Chez Alex is a modest three-star guesthouse in a 19th-century townhouse on a quiet street between Baixa and Chiado. The lobby feels like a faded sitting room — old tiles, a worn leather sofa, a reception desk that doubles as a mini bar. It’s clean, friendly, and perfectly adequate for a traveller who plans to spend most of the day outside. The USP is location: you can walk to Rossio in five minutes and the Time Out Market in ten.
Chronicles of Lisbon
Lisbon was founded as a Phoenician trading post around 1200 BC, later becoming Olissipo under the Romans. The 1755 earthquake flattened much of the lower city, which was rebuilt in a rational, grid-like Pombaline style — marked by wide squares and tile-clad buildings. From the 20th century, the city layered on Art Nouveau and later a post-revolution cultural resurgence, with fado, azulejo murals, and a growing tech hub. Today, Lisbon is a sun-bleached, hilly capital that mixes seven centuries of architecture with a young, cosmopolitan energy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Lisbon guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm, sunny days and lower rainfall than high summer, with fewer crowds than in August.
Peak / festival surge
August (and especially the week of Santo António, 12-13 June, and the Lisbon Book Fair in May/June). August sees the highest tourist volume, pushing hotel rates up 30-40%. The main driver is European summer holidays. For Chez Alex, expect to pay around €120-150 a night in peak season.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer mild weather (15-22°C), quieter streets, and rates often 20-30% lower than July. The days are still long enough for sightseeing.
Weather & packing
Lisbon can be deceptively cool in the shade and gusty on hilltops, even in summer. Always bring a light jacket or pashmina for evening winds, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes for the slopes.
Live City Briefing — Lisbon
- The €500 million renovation of Lisbon’s cruise port and waterfront (Alcantara) continues; expect some construction noise and rerouted footpaths near the riverside.
- A new bike-share scheme, 'Gira', has added 500 electric bikes to the city in 2025; you can now rent one at stations near Rossio and Cais do Sodré.
- The Lisbon Metro’s Red Line extension to Alcântara is delayed until at least 2027, so the train is still the best way to reach Belém from Cais do Sodré – line for line.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chez Alex, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Rua Cidade de Cardiff). These mid-floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' on the 1st and 2nd floors — they are positioned directly above the street-facing entrance and suffer from traffic noise and pedestrian chatter from the tram stop outside. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on every floor (usually room 10 or 11) as the old lift can rattle.
Best views
Rooms on the 4th or 5th floor at the rear have a view over the interior courtyard and tiled rooftops towards the São Jorge Castle hill, best at sunset. Front rooms only see the narrow street and opposite apartment block.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest — street noise diminishes above the second floor, and there's no bar or club on those levels. The 5th floor may catch wind noise from the flat roof.
🔊 Noise notes
Rua Cidade de Cardiff is a through-road for local buses (Route 32) and delivery trucks early morning (6-8am). The hotel's main door opens directly onto the pavement, so check-in area noise carries up the stairwell. On weekends, a nearby bar at number 28 plays fado until midnight.
Insider tips
1. Avoid the small lift if you have luggage: ask for a ground-floor room (though noisier) or use the back staircase — it's quicker. 2. Request a courtyard-facing room at booking, not at check-in; the hotel has only 4 such rooms, and they go first.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chez Alex
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typically 50 Mbps download; no login—just accept terms on browser
One small lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital PressReader access via hotel tablet in lobby; no printed papers
Check-in 14:00–22:00 (24:00 Saturday); early bag drop allowed; late check-out until 14:00 costs €25
Free luggage room available until 20:00 on day of departure
Step-free street entrance; lift to all floors; no adapted bathrooms or wheelchair turning space in standard rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public garage – Parkalgar Oliveira (5-minute walk) – €12 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2 per person per night, up to 7 nights
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja Evangélica chinesa em Lisboa (219 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Nova Vida (248 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: ETHIM (765 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Anturio.com (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerias Marquês de Pombal — 1.6 km · ~19 min walk
Museu Medeiros e Almeida — 2.0 km · ~24 min walk
Teatro Villaret — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Parque Infantil do Jardim Braamcamp Freire — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 39 m · ~1 min walk
Farmácia Atena — 45 m · ~1 min walk
Late Night Shop — 223 m · ~3 min walk
Lavra - Rua Câmara Pestana — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in the area for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots as they charge high fees.
Cards widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, and transport; contactless works almost everywhere. Cash needed for small cafes, markets, and some taxis.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, and a euro or two for hotel porters or cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) or galão (milky coffee) at a pastelaria or café – about €0.80 to €1.20.
A Prato do Dia (daily plate) with meat, fish or vegetarian option, plus drink, at a tasca – roughly €7–10.
A main course like grilled fish or a bifana at a local diner – around €9–13.
Bifanas and panados from takeaway spots; also try the Time Out Market area for varied stalls, but prices are higher there.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are common budget supermarkets in this part of Lisbon.
Primark, Zara, H&M are on the main shopping arteries a short walk or one metro stop away; also try Feira da Ladra flea market for second-hand finds.
A single Viva Viagem card (€0.50) plus a 24-hour pass for metro, bus, and tram (€6.60) is the cheapest way around. From the airport, take the metro (€1.65) or Aerobus (€4.00) – avoid taxis for budget travel.
Eat lunch at a tasca instead of dinner – same food, lower price. Buy a 24-hour transport pass if using more than 3 trips. Avoid the tourist-trap cafés on main squares for coffee.
Good to know — Lisbon
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Lisbon112 or 808 24 24
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Lisbon, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chez Alex
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 39 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmácia Atena — 45 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Oriente Station (via ANAM shuttle) to Pestana Palace → São Bento / Local neighborhoods
💡 Most economical daily transit; buy a Viva Viagem card for unlimited travel. Tram 28 is iconic and passes near the hotel area.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Pestana Palace Hotel, São Bento
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airport or pre-book through hotel to avoid unmarked taxis. Fixed rates available.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Marquês de Pombal / City Center
💡 Budget-friendly option; get a 7-Colinas card at the airport for discounted local transit within Lisbon.
Humberto Delgado Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Oriente Station, then taxi/metro to Pestana Palace
💡 Reliable and direct airport connection; combine with metro for seamless journey to São Bento neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chez Alex?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Rua Cidade de Cardiff). These mid-floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chez Alex?
Avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' on the 1st and 2nd floors — they are positioned directly above the street-facing entrance and suffer from traffic noise and pedestrian chatter from the tram stop outside. Also skip rooms next to the lift shaft on every floor (usually room 10 or 11) as the old lift can rattle.
Is Chez Alex noisy?
Rua Cidade de Cardiff is a through-road for local buses (Route 32) and delivery trucks early morning (6-8am). The hotel's main door opens directly onto the pavement, so check-in area noise carries up the stairwell. On weekends, a nearby bar at number 28 plays fado until midnight.
Which rooms have the best views at Chez Alex?
Rooms on the 4th or 5th floor at the rear have a view over the interior courtyard and tiled rooftops towards the São Jorge Castle hill, best at sunset. Front rooms only see the narrow street and opposite apartment block.
What are insider tips for staying at Chez Alex?
1. Avoid the small lift if you have luggage: ask for a ground-floor room (though noisier) or use the back staircase — it's quicker. 2. Request a courtyard-facing room at booking, not at check-in; the hotel has only 4 such rooms, and they go first.
What time is check-in at Chez Alex?
Check-in at Chez Alex is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chez Alex have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typically 50 Mbps download; no login—just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chez Alex?
€2 per person per night, up to 7 nights
Where can I eat cheaply near Chez Alex?
A Prato do Dia (daily plate) with meat, fish or vegetarian option, plus drink, at a tasca – roughly €7–10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chez Alex?
A single Viva Viagem card (€0.50) plus a 24-hour pass for metro, bus, and tram (€6.60) is the cheapest way around. From the airport, take the metro (€1.65) or Aerobus (€4.00) – avoid taxis for budget travel.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
May, June, September: warm, sunny days and lower rainfall than high summer, with fewer crowds than in August.
Top Attractions in Lisbon
💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol for morning light, then walk up to Miradouro da Graça for sunset. Avoid the packed tram 28—walking is faster and free.
💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol just before sunset for golden light on the rooftops. Avoid the tram 28 route for quieter streets.
💡 Start at the top (Graça) and walk downhill to avoid steep climbs. Best in early morning for fewer crowds.
💡 Skip the paid museum upstairs unless you're keen on religious art. The church itself is free and the main attraction.
💡 Start at the cathedral and walk uphill towards the castle. The best views are free. Avoid trams 12 and 28 at peak times; locals hate the crowds.
💡 Get a super bock from the bar across the street—it's half the price of the kiosk. Bring a blanket as the pavement gets cold by night.
💡 The greenhouse has a small tropical garden and café — cheap coffee and a quiet spot. The park is breezy, so bring a jacket even in summer.
💡 Free entry weekends. Bring a book for the bench under the giant rubber tree at the far end. Closed for lunch (1pm-2pm).