Just got back from Lison a couple of days ago and stayed at the Tivoli Lisboa. There is still some renovation work going on in the Lobby. Our room was a nice size, but furnishing is a bit tired looking and need to be up dated. The breakfast buffet was nice, especially the one day they moved it up to the penthouse restaurant; it had a great view of the city. However, this was only for one day because of allof the work being done in the lobby. We didn't get a change to use the pool; we were too busy. The fitness center was temporarly located in room 108 with only a few free weights and one treadmill and bike. Initially, our key wouldn't ope the door to the gym and we had to go down to the front desk twice and still our key didn't work. Finally, they opened the door for us and just left it open. Overall, the lobby area is looking great and the location you can't beat, but they still need to work on the rooms.

I came to stay at the Tivoli Lisboa because the Tivoli Jardim was still a building site (see my review on that experience). The Tivoli Lisboa is the Grand Dame of Lisbon hotels. I stayed here many years agoand basically not much has changed. Check in was rather slow due to the reception area being tiny and the photocopier where they copy your passport broken down. Once I got to my room (423) I realised that my memories of the Tivoli were actually better than the reality. The room was bijou, petite or just tiny, whichever you prefer. It featured a small bed, lumpy pillows, desk area and ancient TV. The bathroom was of equally small dimensions. Nothing was wrong with the room as such but if you think of a five star hotel this room did not cut it. It reminded me of a typical New York hotel room (tiny and overpriced) The staff are knowledgeable but most have that ingrained arrogance of an old world 5 star property. Not altogether pleasant. The lobby bar staff were surly to the extreme and very unfriendly. The restaurant staff were busy talking to one another during the breakfast service leaving me having to wait for coffee and pastries on 3 mornings in a row. Breakfast is ok but nothing special. The best service I had was actually from the room service team where a very nice lady served the meal and the turn down service. Anything more senior and you encountered attitude (except for the occasions I was in my business attire when the attitude was changed from disdain to tolerated, how bizarre). The main problem with my stay was the noise. I hoped to escape the building site of the Tivoli Jardim but the Tivoli Lisboa is also being renovated. So while there is no noise at night-time promptly from 9 am – 8 pm there was drilling and hammering. And that included Sunday morning! Would I recommend it? No is the answer, no amount of renovation will plaster over the questionable style of service and the fact that rooms are tiny and overpriced. If you want luxury in Lisbon try the Sofitel further down the road.

After reading previous reviews, we were a little worried about our booking at this hotel. I emailed them before our visit about the pool situation and they replied very promptly, reassuring me that the pool was indeed open. There is still some refurbishment going on but this is very minimal. The Restaurant at the top of the hotel still isn't open but the new Brasserie where we had breakfast, has been beautifully renovated. Our room was spacious, clean and nicely decorated with a good size bathroom. Breakfast was excellent. Fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, ham, smoked salmon, fresh bread, rolls and pastries. Impeccable service. All the staff were extremely helpful and accommodating. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, thought it was good value and would recommend it.

We have just cancelled our booking for 4 rooms for next weekend because luckily we found out about the refurbishment. After trying to contact the hotel 3 times we were finally told that the pool is shut, the rooftop terrace bar and the Piano bar are closed - the pool and rooftop terrace being the main reason we booked. They were not going to inform us even through the reception is being rebuilt next week including Saturday. Either cancel any bookings, or go to the Sheraton which we have managed to book, at not much more.

As of the 28 Feb when we arrived, the hotel is undergoing major refurbishment. We were given a letter from the manager at the reception when we checked in, about the work. It was simply an weak apology. We quickly discovered that the pool and gardens were closed, that the tivoli Jardin (same group hotel next door but actually attached to this hotel) was all but being demolished outside our room window. The noise of drills was everywhere, we askd to be moved to another room and there we discovered that the wi fi access that I had just paid 17 euro's for in the first room was not available in the second room. Why? The wi fi provider Swisscom (the hotel staff called them and made me talk to them no Idea why) explained that because of the renovations all the rooms above us were closed and there was no power of wi fi access in that area. That was it, we just checked out. Please be aware if you have booked this hotel for the loverly pool etc you wont get it at least not for a while yet. Worst of all no information appears on the hotel's site to warn guests before they book