My first stop of this crazy European Adventure of mine was Lisbon, Portugal. I had the opportunity to stay with Gat Rooms Hotel in Rossio. I can’t tell you how nice it was to have such a great hotel to stay at while in Lisbon. Not to mention one as comfortable as this one to help me get through my jetlag.

Speaking of jetlag – it doesn’t usually hit me on the way there. It always gets to me when I return home, but this time was different. The jetlag hit me hard the first few days abroad.

Back to the important stuff. I know it's sometimes a challenge finding a hotel during your trip research, so I’m writing this in hopes of making your selection that much easier when looking to select your lodging for your next trip to Lisbon.

LOCATION

I really don’t think you can get a better location for a hotel in Lisbon. Hotel Gat Rooms is extremely centrally located. It was a 10-minute walk from the iconic Rua Augusta Arch, the Alfama area and the Chiado. It was also just a 20-minute drive from the airport which was really refreshing considering airports are usually outside of the city limits making the commute pretty long and tiring after a flight.

Do be sure that if you take an Uber, they drop you off on the main street where you then can walk between the restaurants to access the front of the hotel. I was dropped off in the back, in front of a church and was a bit confused on how to enter the building.

ROOMS

I was really impressed by the great design of the hotel. Well, to be honest, I’m conviced Lisbon should be known for its great sense of design. Everything is so well thought through. Even in the rooms, everything is very strategically placed with a minimal, hip look. My room had this amazing window sill that looked out on the city with a great view of the São Jorge Castle perched on the hill.

I hope you noticed the empty birdcage with feather decals falling on the wall. Gat rooms. Get it? A cat got the bird? I'm thinking Tweedy and Sylvester right about now.

FOOD

I think “breakfast included” is one of the best things hotels can offer. I mean breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is something Gat Rooms knows how to do, well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a spread that vast – meats, cheeses, breads, pasteis, eggs. I’m still dreaming about the melty ham and cheese sandwich I was able to make and press myself. Not to mention the freshly squeezed orange juice station. I don’t think I could get through this without also mentioning the self-serve, make-your-own hard or soft boiled egg station.

HOTEL

I think I imagined a smaller hotel not having very many areas to socialize. Gat Rooms really encourages social interactions in their many lounge areas. The breakfast area has a bunch of bench tables. The room room has a great modern vibe with all red seating areas. The two outdoor terraces are possibly at the top of my list of cutest outdoor lounges. One of them even has shade coverings that can be used during the day and pushed back at night. I also loved the pops of color and multiple shades of green to follow with the Gat Rooms branding. Did I sound like a Graphic Designer there? Guilty.

Check out Gat Rooms Rossio, here.

And if you didn't notice by the name alone (gat=cat), there are subtle or maybe not so subtle cat icons throughout the entire hotel. Exhibit A, the cute cat icon on the hotel key card. If you like neon, too, you're even more in luck. The hotel is illuminated in a green neon light day and night.

Yours Truly // Shannon

*Sponsored Post: My hotel stay was provided in collaboration with Gat Rooms Hotel! All opinions are my own.

Gat Rooms Hotel - Lisbon, Portugal