Spending one night in a hotel can leave a good first impression, but spending seven nights there tells a more complete story. During my week-long stay at Moxy Alfragide Lisboa, I experienced everything from arriving after an almost 18-hour journey from Singapore to settling into the hotel's unique self-service concept, discovering the surrounding neighbourhood, and deciding whether I would actually stay here again.
🇵🇹 Lisbon Stay Series
Part of the Travelbytez Lisbon Journey, where I share my hotel stays, food discoveries, transport tips and real on-the-ground travel experiences throughout Lisbon.
If you haven't read the overview yet, start here:
Living at Moxy for Seven Nights
While reading a hotel overview tells you what facilities are available and what the property has to offer., actually living there for almost a week is something else entirely.
Over seven days, you begin noticing the little things that shorter stays rarely reveal. You discover whether the bed remains comfortable after several nights, if breakfast still feels enjoyable after the fourth or fifth morning, whether the room layout works for everyday living, and if the location becomes more convenient, or more frustrating the longer you stay.
This post is about my personal experience after spending seven days and six nights here during my trip to Lisbon. From arriving exhausted after an almost 18-hour journey from Singapore on Swiss Airlines to checking out a week later. Here's what it was like to call this hotel home for the week.
Before Arrival: A Good First Impression
Even before arriving in Portugal, Moxy Alfragide Lisboa had already made a positive first impression.
A few days before my flight, I contacted the hotel to confirm my reservation and request a high-floor corner room away from the lifts. Like many travellers, I prefer quieter rooms whenever possible, especially when I'm staying for almost a week.
The hotel's replies were prompt, friendly and reassuring. While they couldn't guarantee my preferred room in advance, they acknowledged my request and noted it on the booking, which was appreciated.
It may seem like a small detail, but responsive communication before arrival often sets the tone for the rest of the stay. In this case, it certainly gave me confidence that my request had at least been heard.
It never hurts to email the hotel a few days before arrival with any room preferences. While requests can never be guaranteed, many hotels, including Moxy Alfragide Lisboa, will do their best to accommodate them when availability allows.
Arriving After an Almost 18-Hour Journey
After an almost 18-hour journey from Singapore, I finally arrived at Moxy Alfragide Lisboa on a Saturday afternoon at around 1:00pm, which is earlier than the hotel's official 3:00pm check-in time.
One of the first things I noticed upon arrival was that the Moxy does things a little differently from the hotels I've stayed at before. There is no large formal reception desk waiting to welcome you. Instead, the check-in takes place directly at the hotel's bar area, which doubles as the reception area.
It's a concept that's very much in line with the Moxy brand: casual, social and designed to encourage interaction rather than formality.
While the lobby might be modern it might not appeal to everyone, and for some it could be a little intimidating as there is no formal reception desk. If several guests happen to arrive around the same time, the queue can quickly build up as both hotel guests and bar customers share the same space.
Checking In... And Waiting For My Room
Surprisingly for the weekend which I arrived (which was a Saturday), there was hardly any queue, only a large family of about 10 people checking in. They took about 15 minutes to get checked in and sort out their rooms, and when it was my turn, the check-in process itself was friendly and efficient.
As expected, my preferred room wasn't quite ready yet since I had arrived almost two hours before the official check-in time.
The receptionist explained that there were already some rooms available if I wanted to head up immediately, or I could wait a little longer for a room that better matched the preferences I had requested before arriving. I decided to wait since I was staying for the next seven days and six nights, waiting another hour or two for a quieter high-floor corner room seemed like a worthwhile trade-off.
Before heading off, I was also given one of Moxy's signature welcome perks which is a Moxy Token that can be exchanged for a complimentary welcome drink at the bar.
Unfortunately, I never got around to using it during my stay, but if you're checking in here yourself, don't make the same mistake. It's a nice little extra that's included with your stay, so you might as well enjoy it.
If you arrive before the official check-in time, it's still worth heading to the hotel rather than waiting elsewhere. Housekeeping releases rooms progressively throughout the afternoon, and you may be given the choice between taking an available room immediately or waiting a little longer for one that better matches your preferences.
My First Meal in Lisbon
So with some time to spare before my room became available, I decided to stay in the lobby and order lunch (a plate of pasta together with a can of apple cider) from the hotel's bar to refuel.
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| A snippet of the food I've had over the course of my stay. |
After spending the better part of a day travelling halfway around the world, sitting down with a warm plate of food and something cold to drink felt extremely satisfying. Sometimes it's not about what you're eating, but where you are and what you've just been through to get there.
One thing worth noting is that the Moxy follows a fairly self-service concept throughout the property. So once I was finished with my meal, I had to return my tray to the designated collection point myself rather than leaving it on the table for staff to clear it.
If you're used to the more traditional full-service experience, then this is one of the small differences you'll notice during your stay. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does emphasize the casual, lifestyle-focused approach that defines the Moxy brand.
Personally, I didn't mind it and it simply became part of the experience.
Finally Getting My Room
Less than two hours later, my room was ready. Considering that I had arrived early, I thought that was a very reasonable wait, especially knowing that the hotel had tried to accommodate my room request rather than simply assigning the first available room.
With room key in hand, it was finally time to head upstairs and begin what would become my home for the next seven days.
My First Impression of the Room
Moxy Alfragide Lisboa has just three guest floors, so despite not being a particularly tall hotel, I was pleased that the hotel had honoured my request for a quieter corner room on one of the higher levels and away from the lifts.... at least, that was what I thought until I stepped out of the lift.
The walk to my room was not physically far (in fact it was less than two minutes), but somehow it felt much longer. The corridor seemed to stretch on endlessly, with several turns along the way that made it surprisingly easy to lose your bearings during the first day or two.
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| This was one of the longest hallways I've ever walked from the lift to the room. It was about a 1-3 minute walk to get to / from the room / lift. |
By the second or third day I had memorised the route, but I still found myself thinking the same thing every evening after returning from sightseeing: "Surely my room isn't this far..."
It's one of those small observations that sounds strange until you've experienced it yourself. The corridor isn't actually long but due to the layout and design it just feels much longer than it really is.
A Compact Room That Works Surprisingly Well
When I walked into the room for the first time, my initial impression was that it was exactly as the listings and reviews on Tripadvisor show it to be. It is not very big but I found it adequate enough. It was bigger than the room I had at the Dorsett, Hong Kong so no major complaints.
As Moxy hotels are designed around efficient use of space rather than generous room sizes, the room delivered exactly what I expected.
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| The overview of the room. And yes, I even brought my own travel bedsheets to make it feel a little more like home. 😁 |
There was enough space to move around comfortably, enough room to open my 24" luggage, and more importantly, everything I needed for a week-long stay without feeling cramped.
The Moxy Room Layout
On place of a conventional wardrobe, there's an open hanging rack system mounted against the wall, complete with only 3 hangers, and a luggage rack mounted on the rack.
The hangers were useful for hanging my jacket, the clothes for the next day and pajamas for easy access. It was a little bit challenging but with the luggage open on the rack, it worked out better then expected.
As for the the peg board and pegs, they were useful in hanging reusable shopping bags, and my travel bag which held essentials like facial products etc...
It isn't luxurious, but it's practical in a minimalistic kind of way which might not suitable for everyone. By the end of my stay, the table and space below the TV were filled with my things. 😂
One item that unexpectedly became invaluable during this trip was my set of travel storage bags with built-in hooks. Instead of placing everything on the floor or across the room, I simply hung the bags directly onto the luggage rack and pegs. It kept my clothes organised throughout the week and made unpacking and repacking much easier.
Power Outlets Done Right
One detail which was appreciated was the placement of the power outlets: unlike some hotel rooms where you'll find yourself crawling behind bedside tables looking for a socket, the outlets here were positioned exactly where you'd expect them to be.
Charging my phone, smartwatch, power bank and camera batteries each evening was effortless, and I never once found myself wishing there were more sockets.
The slimmer design of the UGREEN EU adapter provided a much more stable connection and gave me greater peace of mind whenever I left my devices charging.If you're travelling from Singapore or anywhere outside Europe, I highly recommend bringing a dedicated European plug adapter rather than relying on a bulky universal travel adapter.
I used my UGREEN EU Adapter throughout the trip and it worked flawlessly. European sockets are recessed into rounded wall fittings, and many universal travel adapters are simply too wide or awkwardly shaped to sit securely inside them.
TV Casting Made Jet Lag Recovery Much Better
One feature I wasn't expecting to use as much as I did was the television's built-in casting functionality.
As I arrived over the weekend, Sunday was intentionally kept as a slower day while I recovered from jet lag after the long flight from Singapore. So rather than immediately rushing out to explore Lisbon, I spent part of the day relaxing in the room, catching up on shows from iQIYI by casting them directly from my phone onto the television.
Everything connected quickly and worked surprising well throughout my stay. It might be a small feature, but after nearly eighteen hours of travelling, having the ability to unwind with familiar entertainment made the room feel far more comfortable than simply having a standard television with local channels.
Amenities: Keep Your Expectations Realistic
One thing to remember before booking is that Moxy is not positioned as a traditional full-service hotel. Its self-service concept extends into the room amenities as well.
The bathroom came equipped with wall-mounted bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash, which covered the essentials. However, don't expect the usual collection of complimentary toiletries: there were no toothbrushes, toothpaste, vanity kits or body lotion provided.
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| The bathroom does come the usual body wash, shanpoo and conditioner in dispensers. |
Personally, this wasn't an issue because I almost always travel with my own toiletries anyway, but it's definitely something worth knowing before you pack.
Although compact, the bathroom never felt cramped during my stay, and everything was still in excellent condition thanks to the hotel's relatively recent opening. Being a newer property is one of the hotel's biggest strengths. Everything still looked fresh, well-maintained and far newer than many similarly priced hotels I've stayed in elsewhere.
The shower provided consistent water pressure, while the overall cleanliness remained excellent throughout the week.
The Hairdryer: Functional... But Not Perfect
A hairdryer was provided in the room, which was certainly appreciated. However, using it turned out to be a little more awkward than expected.
Unlike many hotel hairdryers that can be comfortably used in front of the bathroom mirror, this one needed to be plugged in outside the bathroom, and the cable itself was surprisingly stiff. Trying to dry the left side of my head while looking into the mirror became an unexpected balancing act involving awkward angles and a rather uncooperative power cable.
It's hardly a deal-breaker, but after seven mornings it became one of those amusing little quirks I found myself remembering.
Sleeping Comfortably After Long Days Exploring Lisbon
After spending most days walking around Lisbon, getting a good night's sleep became increasingly important.
The bed itself although a little too soft for my preference, was comfortable enough, and I had no issues sleeping throughout my stay. The pillows, however, were a different story... They had an inferior quality and were pretty flat (not fluffy or firm). That said, they were noticeably fluffier than the pillows I encountered during my stay at Mercure Hotel München Neuperlach Süd in Germany.
So while they weren't particularly luxurious, they still provided a better night's sleep than I had initially expected.
The room lighting also deserves a quick mention. It wasn't exceptionally bright, but it was certainly an improvement over the lighting at the Mercure, making the room feel noticeably more welcoming during the evenings.
Working From the Room
If you're planning to spend several hours working on a laptop every day, the room may not be the most comfortable place to do so. There isn't a large traditional work desk, and the layout prioritises relaxation over productivity.
Rather than encouraging guests to stay inside their rooms, the hotel's spacious lobby is designed as a communal workspace where people can work, socialise or simply enjoy a coffee. It's a very different philosophy compared to conventional hotels, and once you understand that, the room layout makes much more sense.
Personally, I spent very little time working during this trip, so it wasn't something that affected my stay. But if you're travelling on business, it's worth keeping in mind.
Breakfast Over Seven Mornings
As my room rate included breakfast, it became part of my daily routine before heading out to explore Lisbon and the surrounding areas.
Breakfast is served daily from 7:00am to 10:30am, giving guests a fairly generous window whether they're early risers or prefer a slower start to the day.
The selection wasn't extravagant, but it covered most of the essentials. There was a good variety of breads and pastries, several cheeses and cold cuts, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruit, salads, scrambled eggs, bacon, baked beans and a selection of hot and cold beverages.
After seven mornings, I found the breakfast to be adequate but it was always the same thing so it became a little repetitive towards the end of the week.
One inconsistency I did notice involved the breakfast registration process: on my first three mornings, a member of staff was stationed at the entrance to record guests' room numbers before they entered the restaurant. However, for the remaining four mornings, however, there was no one there at all.
It didn't affect my stay in any meaningful way, but it was something I couldn't help noticing after spending an entire week at the hotel.
One thing that did affect was my experience of the quality of the scrambled eggs. If you arrive later in the morning i.e. after 9:30am, the scrambled eggs might develop a slightly stale (and sulphuric) odour from sitting under the heated serving trays for an extended period. If you arrive earlier in the morning. the scrambled eggs are still palatable.
Facilities
The hotel focuses on providing comfortable communal spaces where people can relax, socialise or work throughout the day. So the lobby quickly became one of my favourite parts of the hotel.
It always felt lively without becoming overly noisy, and the modern industrial design created a relaxed atmosphere whether guests were enjoying a drink, working on their laptops or simply waiting to check in.
Other facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, meeting spaces, indoor parking and the hotel's all-day bar serving drinks and light meals.
Although I didn't use every facility during my stay, everything continued the same casual lifestyle concept that defines the Moxy brand.
Exploring the Neighbourhood
Although Moxy Alfragide Lisboa isn't located in Lisbon's historic city centre, I found the surrounding neighbourhood surprisingly practical for a longer stay.
Within a short walk of the hotel are several restaurants and cafés if you prefer something different from the hotel's own menu. There's also a supermarket less than five minutes away, which proved extremely convenient whenever I needed bottled water, snacks or other essentials without making a trip back into central Lisbon.
Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended because Lisbon's hilly landscape can take a toll on your feet if you wear the wrong type of shoes.
The supermarket was one of the unexpected conveniences I appreciated most during my stay. Being able to pick up bottled water, fruit and snacks after returning from a long day exploring Lisbon saved both time and money compared to relying entirely on the hotel bar.
The Staff Throughout My Stay
From check-in to departure, I found the staff consistently friendly, approachable and willing to help whenever needed. Whether answering questions, preparing food at the bar or simply greeting guests throughout the day, everyone I interacted with contributed to a welcoming atmosphere.
Moxy deliberately adopts a more relaxed style of hospitality than traditional hotels, and the staff reflected that personality well. Although service is naturally less formal than what I was used to, it never felt unfriendly or indifferent. If anything, it suited the overall character of the hotel.
Checking Out
Just like the check-in process a week earlier, checkout was refreshingly straightforward. Within only a few minutes everything had been settled, allowing me to head outside and book an Uber for the journey back to Humberto Delgado Airport.
Final Verdict After 7 Nights
After a week at Moxy Alfragide Lisboa, here is my takeaway on my experience at the hotel.
Things could be better but overall it was acceptable.
- Pillows could be more comfortable.
- Room amenities are minimal.
- The corridors somehow feel much longer than they actually are.
- The rooms are compact.
- The casual self-service concept won't appeal to everyone.
On the other hand, there were plenty of positives that stood out throughout my stay.
- A very new and well-maintained hotel.
- Friendly staff throughout my visit.
- Excellent TV casting functionality.
- Thoughtfully positioned power outlets.
- Clean modern rooms.
- Good value compared with many hotels in the same price range.
While the service style and room amenities are limited, the property was newer, cleaner and generally better value than many equivalent options available locally.
Would I stay here again? Yes, especially for shorter holidays, or business trips. I think Moxy Alfragide Lisboa offers very good value overall.
🏨 Travelbytez Hotel Snapshot
| Hotel | Moxy Alfragide Lisboa |
|---|---|
| Brand | Marriott – Moxy Hotels |
| Hotel Category | 3-Star Lifestyle Hotel |
| Opened | 2021 |
| Guest Floors | 3 |
| Guest Rooms | 218 |
| Location | Alfragide, Amadora (Greater Lisbon), Portugal |
| Address | Rua dos Três Lagares 13, 2610-181 Amadora, Portugal |
| Nearest Airport | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) |
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM |
| Check-out | By 12:00 PM |
| Breakfast | Available depending on your room rate. |
| Facilities | Restaurant & Bar, 24-Hour Fitness Centre, Meeting Rooms, Indoor Parking, Free Wi-Fi |
| Best For | Business travellers, Marriott Bonvoy members, couples and travellers looking for a modern stay outside Lisbon's city centre. |
Final Booking Note
Before booking, it's always worth comparing prices between the hotel's official website and online booking platforms—you never know where the better deal might be waiting.
🇵🇹 Continue Your Lisbon Journey
Moxy Alfragide Lisboa Review
A complete overview of the hotel's facilities, room types, location and whether it's the right Marriott property for your Lisbon trip.
More Lisbon Guides
Flights, food, attractions and practical travel tips from my complete Lisbon journey.
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