Lawrence's Hotel

Located between the restaurants of Sintra's pleasant historic center and the grand mansions and palaces Sintra is known for, Lawrence's Hotel was an excellence base from which to explore the area... if you can make it away from the comforts this hotel offers! Lawrence's claims to be the oldest hotel anywhere in Portugal or Spain, dating back to the 1750s. In its tranquil setting in sublime Sintra, it has rightly been host to figures such as Lord Byron (where he began writing Childe Harold's Pilgrimage) and Eça de Queiroz. The cozy hominess of its rooms and public spaces are perfect for curling-up with a book and a nice glass of port. The creaky wood floors, tiles, and antique furniture are enough to make one feel at home in another era... but updated where essential! The fixtures in our suite's bathroom, and the water pressure, were ample, and there were many outlets to charge those devices that, hopefully amidst the scenery of Sintra, at which you will scarcely care to glance. Just as special as the comforts of the hotel are its people: rarely have we ever been made to feel so welcome! From Amanda's enthusiastic greeting at the front desk, to the volunteered assistance up the stairs with our bags by the staff from the kitchen, to the delightful breakfast buffet serving the freshest fruit and some of the best pastries in Portugal (if that's possible), and a packed breakfast for our all-to-early departure, our only regret was that we could not stay longer.

A visit to Lawrence's is best for those without a car: they can arrange transportation, and a car is hardly needed to see the sights around town. Parking is available (in a 500-year-old historic building no less, when the free street parking is taken), but as with any driving in the historic center of town, streets are steep and narrow, and maneuvering can be a bit tricky, plus a pass is necessary to drive on the hotel's street (which must be obtained before arrival, so ask). We look forward to our next chance to stay with them!

Breakfast

Hotel Happy Hour ended early and we missed it!

Fabulous hotel!

Hotel has tons of history and is a lovely property in a great location.

Hotel was understaffed, with front desk staff who couldn't think of a restaurant to recommend besides the hotel's own (which was closed). They didn't have our reservation, which we had pre-booked, and made us wait while they figured it out. The breakfast started at 7:30 am -- when we came down at 8 am, nobody was there. They explained that there weren't a lot of people staying at the hotel so they had only one person cooking and serving. The hotel staff also didn't tell us that the town is closed to cars on Saturdays so we couldn't get a cab to the airport.

Comfortable and smart guest lounges and restaurant. Really disappointing room and bathroom. Needs decorating and attention to comfort and detail. Noisy air con.

Historic hotel was established in 1764!

Hôtel charmant et historique avec un cachet indéniable. Très bien situé au centre de la ville.

Sehr gepflegte Ausstattung. Individuelle Einrichtung und Ambiente. Toller Service. Ausgezeichnete Lage. Restaurant gut.

Aus dem Abflüssen im Bad roch es bei Nutzung nach faulen Eiern.

Great location. Charming room