Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Zuzabed and Breakfast, Lisbon, Portugal
Nominated By: Don and Julie, Hampshire, United Kingdom, September '08

Price Range: 70-95 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 4 Kid-Friendly: yes, but no babies

What makes the Zuzabed and Breakfast so Darn Good? The star attraction at Zuzabed is its owner, Luis. He made us feel incredibly welcome, and was helpful in all possible ways. He even gave us a cell phone so we could call him anytime we needed advice or a reservation. Luis knows the best places to hear fado music, and is very knowledgeable about all things Lisbon. You couldn't feel more at home in a strange city than at Zuzabed.

Location: Located up a steep alleyway near Lisbon’s historic Bairro Alto neighborhood, Zuzabed offers amazing views of the city from its bedrooms. Come nighttime, the neighborhood’s narrow cobblestone streets and 17th century buildings light up with a lively restaurant, music, and shopping scene. The B & B is conveniently located just off Rossio, one of the Lisbon’s main squares, and is very close to the Metro.

Rooms: Zuzabed’s four modern rooms are beautifully appointed and spotless. Two have a shared balcony overlooking the city and all come with a DVD player, heated towel racks, and even a pair of binoculars to admire the view.

Food: Luis serves an excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, local cheeses, meats, breads, and yogurt. For lunch or dinner, you will find no shortage of restaurants on the street just below Zuzabed. The nearby Argentinean restaurant "Café Buenos Aires" is especially good.

Vibe: Luis is an inspired host who simply cannot do enough for his guests.

Things to Keep in Mind: The last 20-30 meters of street leading to Zuzabed’s front door is too steep for cars, so guests will need to be able to climb up and down stairs.