Impulsive Christmas Trip

[LadyC]

The Balthazar menu looks great (taking notes in case we go to LHR anytime soon).

 

[amaroo]

BA LHR T5 FLounge

 

[amaroo]

IB J LHR-MAD .... more whY than J class



That’s a lot of parked speedbirds!



Wind turbines galore!

 

[Flashback]

BA LHR T5 FLounge

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I love how they keep the white wine stored like that ...... not, makes it a suitable candidate for the ice cube brigade

 

[get me outta here]

Those wind turbines seem to be spaced close together in a very long run thereby ensuring that any birds flying through them would not have a chance.

IB J LHR-MAD ....

[

 

[amaroo]

Those wind turbines seem to be spaced close together in a very long run thereby ensuring that any birds flying through them would not have a chance.

They are massive structures. Not sure I’d Like living anywhere near them.

We’re now driving through the Nth of Spain and they are everywhere..... as far as the eye can see in some locations.

 

[amaroo]

Unfortunately the downside of booking a holiday on an impulsive urge, at the last minute - limited options for bookings. We are making tracks to Lisbon, Portugal, however all direct flights LHR-LIS were booked solid. Therefore we had to transit via MAD... killing 5 hours can be a drag!

MAD T4 IB lounge



IB MAD-LIS .... worst than the last flight. Why do I waste money on Euro J



Photo courtesy of mrsamaroo .... I was saving myself for Lisbon. Apparently, the steak was ok.



Stunning views on approach into LIS, but for some reason I just wasn’t quick enough to capture on the phone.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Euro J tends to be pretty poor. Had decent food and service from BA, but it’s just Y seating with the middle seat left free. Guess it’s better than having 3 crammed in the same space.

 

[amaroo]

By the time we got to the hotel it was 9:30pm and I was hungry! We had already made plans with the hotel concierge to eat at a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations. However the hotel has a special relationship with the restaurant and provides the “magic key” to fast track the massive queues ... and I mean queues.

Queue #1 is the massive lineup outside

Queue #2 the holding yard on the staircase

Queue #3 wherever you can squeeze into along the hall

Typical wait at peak times can be 2/3 hours.... we were in and seated within minutes.

The concierge told us to ignore the queues and just walk on in - it did feel good

Cervejaria Ramiro - if you like seafood .... this is
the place to eat!



Their signature dessert is a steak sandwich I couldn’t resist. Delicious, and a wonderful way to introduce yourself to Lisbon.

Definitely put this one on your list!

 

[RooFlyer]

What was the ahem, 'recognition' required, at the hotel and at the restaurant? ( Or an indication)

 

[LadyC]

Good to see you finished with the steak sandwich!

 

[amaroo]

What was the ahem, 'recognition' required, at the hotel and at the restaurant? ( Or an indication)

It was a handwritten note on hotel “letterhead” card, basic info like date, name, number of people. Written in Portugues on the spot and given to me ... I showed it upon entering and it got handed on at each queue junction. The last fellow that seated us confiscated the card unfortunately.

Proof that always discussing your plans with the hotel concierge is a must .... it wasn’t offered until we mentioned we wanted to eat at that particular restaurant.

We stayed at The Four Seasons .... maybe other hotels also offer the “magic key” (that’s what they called it at the hotel and restaurant)

 

[Pushka]

Good to see you finished with the steak sandwich!

For me, start and end!

 

[amaroo]

Euro J tends to be pretty poor.

<snip>

Guess it’s better than having 3 crammed in the same space.

Yeah, I keep forgetting that bit. We just did our first TAP flight - must say their J product exceeds BA and IB.

 

[RooFlyer]

It was a handwritten note on hotel “letterhead” card, basic info like date, name, number of people. Written in Portugues on the spot and given to me ... I showed it upon entering and it got handed on at each queue junction. The last fellow that seated us confiscated the card unfortunately.

I was being a bit coy ... 'discrete' ... i was asking how many Euros changed hands at the hotel and possibly a surcharge at the restaurant? It was a BIG privilege! But an indication, not cash amount ...

I stayed at the Britannia Hotel in Lisbon - help-yourself decanters of port in every room, and at breakfast! Lisbon under-rated as a destination; I loved it (and all Portugal).

 

[amaroo]

I was being a bit coy ... 'discrete' ... i was asking how many Euros changed hands at the hotel and possibly a surcharge at the restaurant? It was a BIG privilege! But an indication, not cash amount ...

I stayed at the Britannia Hotel in Lisbon - help-yourself decanters of port in every room, and at breakfast! Lisbon under-rated as a destination; I loved it (and all Portugal).

Wasn’t the case. Just a service the Four Seasons offer.... we paid menu prices as far as I could make out.

We had a great time in Portugal.... my parents lived in Portugal for a few years (dads business), but I never came over .... bloody silly decision, kicking myself now.

 

[RooFlyer]

Wasn’t the case. Just a service the Four Seasons offer.... we paid menu prices as far as I could make out.

Sensational

 

[amaroo]

The Four Seasons (Hotel Ritz) - Lisbon

Interesting history. Started life as one of Salazar’s demands, opened 1959 and still hold its own. Four Seasons took over management in 1997.

The grand scale of the hotel and marble is OTT, but it still works 60 years later. More than 40,000m2 of the finest marble was laid.... it’s everywhere!

Premier King Room



Superior Twin Room... please excuse the kids untidy look

 

[amaroo]

Given this was one of Salazar’s babies .... the hotel holds one of the country’s best art collection.

The public spaces are massive.

Foyer







Foyer on our floor - simply massive!



The hall on our floor - at least triple the width of a modern hotel

 

[amaroo]

Both rooms had a large walk out / table and chairs balcony. We got sunrise from ours and sunset from the kids

Views from our room...













Views from the kids room...