Destination Europe

Martinhal Chiado – the perfect base for a family holiday in Lisbon

Posted on
February 22, 2018

Over half term we were lucky enough to spend a few days in Lisbon, Portugal with Martinhal Resorts.
We split our time in Lisbon between two of their family friendly resorts, Martinhal Cacais on the coast,  and Martinhal Chiado, in the city itself.
As you might expect, the two resorts offer very different breaks, but both were perfectly suited to family travel and offered all the home from home comforts that you need when travelling with children.
Martinhal Chiado is the world’s first city centre family hotel, situated in the old town and offers a real “WOW” factor as soon as you walk through the door, with impressive brick arched ceilings and a very warm welcome. Like in Cacais, the kids were given kids were given a gift each of a drawstring bag containing toys and games, which they were delighted with.
Chiado ceiling
I am loath to call it a hotel, as what Chiado really offers is huge, comfortable apartments with floor to ceiling windows, beautiful decor and all the mod cons.
Martinhal Chiado
Each apartment is slightly different and arranged to cater for families of all sizes and then even have a small two bedroom one for the grandparents to stay in, if they fancy joining you for a short break. In ours we had a lounge / dining area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a functional kitchen.
Chiado
Our room had a huge queen sized bed with an adjoining bathroom, but it was the kids room that had everyone squealing with delight – quadruple bunk beds with padded bed guards, so no arguing over who was sleeping in the top bunk!
Kids Bedroom Chiado
The kitchen had everything you need to keep the family comfortable including a washer / dryer, dishwasher, cooker, microwave, coffee machine and large fridge freezer. In fact, if there is anything missing, Martinhal pride themselves in being able to get it for you.
Chiado Kitchen
Each apartment comes with a welcome pack perfect to keep weary travellers going, including chocolate biscuits and chocolate milk for the kids (and some grown up ones), orange juice, milk, tea / coffee and bottled water.
Welcome Pack
For those that prefer not to cook, there is the M Bar downstairs, a cosy family café lounge which offers a buffet breakfast as well as a tasty selection of healthy homemade snacks and light meals for lunch and during the day, up until 7pm. They also offer room service if you prefer to eat in your apartment.
M Bar Chiado
Being a family friendly hotel, Martinhal Chiado have thought about the small people too. Not only are there books for them to borrow in the M-Bar and lobby, but there is a secure kids club which can accommodate children from babies to early teens, looked after by their fabulous staff – my kids have a particular fondness for one called Marshmallow!
Kids Club
There is also a play area which is accessible morning, noon and night for restless children to play with their parents. There is even a small indoor climbing wall.
Play area Chiado
The kids club is open from 9.30 – 22.00, allowing parents to leave their kids if they wish to explore Lisbon without small people in tow.
Kids Club Chiado
Although we love to explore with the kids, we did take advantage of the pyjama club which they run from 18.30 – 22.00, giving the kids an option of dinner during the evening. They had fun crafting, played games and settled down later in the evening to watch films………..they were all asleep on the comfy sofa’s and beanbags when we got home, but we learned after the first night to have their beds turned down before we carried them up!
Castelo sao jorge
We really enjoyed exploring Lisbon by night and took full advantage of some child-free time, although we did end up in the fabulous By The Wine bar opposite the hotel, whose ceiling is decorated with an impressive 3264 empty wine bottles.
By The Wine
It also serves the most amazing tapas food and their desserts are also delicious. TIP: Get the Lime Pie!!
By the Wine food
If you are looking for a city break, then Martinhal Chiado is the perfect location to explore Lisbon. Staying here also gives you access to the facilities at their Cacais resort if you want to spend a day enjoying the facilities which include a spa, large park and pools. Transfers are not included, however, they can arrange a car for you for a small additional cost.
Martinhal Chiado invited us to stay with them for the purpose of the review, but all opinions are my own.
 

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17 Comments
  1. Reply

    Samantha

    February 22, 2018

    I’ve never been to Portugal before, but I’d love to go some day! One of my work friends is Portuguese and it sounds like a beautiful country. That apartment looks lovely!

  2. Reply

    kels

    February 22, 2018

    That’s such a good idea to split the holiday between different hotels! I’ve never thought of that! I always am so torn between a city break or a beach/relaxing break. I love, love, love the decor and character the hotel and wine bar have it sounds amazing! The kids look like they had a blast too! x

  3. Reply

    Kayleigh

    February 22, 2018

    Looks like a brill holiday & the decor in the apartment is fab!

  4. Reply

    Mellissa Williams

    February 23, 2018

    The Martinhal Chiado looks like a fabulous place to stay when visiting Lisbon. Lisbon is a beautiful city to go and explore and you want somewhere nice to stay – this looks like it ticks all the boxes. I think I love those quadruple bunk beds a little – what a fab idea!

  5. Reply

    Emma

    February 23, 2018

    Oh my goodness, this looks incredible. It can be so difficult finding hotels that cater for children in city centres, so this is just incredible. I love how much space there is and it is always a bonus being able to prepare food as it saves so much money.

  6. Reply

    Rhian Westbury

    February 23, 2018

    It makes such a difference having your own space with a living room and a kitchen. Such a nice space you had x

  7. Reply

    Starlight and Stories

    February 23, 2018

    Oh wow I love the play area. We visited Lisbon on a cruise this summer and would love to go back, I will be checking this hotel out if we do x

  8. Reply

    Rachel

    February 23, 2018

    Wow looks like a great place to stay – comfy cosy and clean – the perfect three C’s! Love the kids play bit!

  9. Reply

    Super Busy Mum

    February 24, 2018

    I have never been to Portugal before, but this hotel looks great! I especially love the dedicated space for kids! It looks adorable.

  10. Reply

    Bella and Dawn

    February 24, 2018

    The sizes of the rooms are pretty epic! We’re going to have to track down Martinhal Chiado as we love all the family features x

  11. Reply

    laura dove

    February 24, 2018

    Wow what an amazing hotel for families! It’s a real home away from home!

  12. Reply

    Sheri - A Busy Bee's Life

    February 25, 2018

    Looks like a great place to stay that is catered to families. I has a great time when we went to Lisbon.

  13. Reply

    Amanda

    February 27, 2018

    I still haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Lisbon yet. Would love to try and go this year. I also much prefer staying in apartments rather than hotels and this one looks lovely! Great for families!

  14. Reply

    Stephanie

    February 28, 2018

    What a brilliant family friendly place. They have thought of everything.

  15. Reply

    Nadia

    March 1, 2018

    Lisbon is high on my list of places to visit and this looks like a great place to stay with children. Thank you for sharing.

  16. Reply

    Becky

    March 9, 2018

    It sounds like they have thought of everything for going away with children. My kids would particularly love the climbing wall!

  17. Reply

    Newcastle Family Life

    March 11, 2018

    As a family of five who struggle to find hotel rooms this looks perfect. My teen visited Portugal last September and has been begging us to return as a family and we are thinking of visiting next year and this hotel sounds ideal. The kids club sounds perfect for my little two and those bunk beds look great for children x

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KARA GUPPY
Bournemouth

Are we nearly there yet? is a new online blog run by me, Kara Guppy, and is named as such thanks to my daughter Eliza who always asks that very question when we are less than 5 minutes up the road heading off on our adventures. You may know me from my other family blog chelseamamma.co.uk