Where to stay with kids: Martinhal Chaido
Martinhal Chiado is hands down the place to situate yourself with young children. The family-friendly apartment suites in this historic building located in the heart of the Chiado neighborhood are spacious and equipped with everything you need with babies, toddlers and preschoolers: high chairs, baby proofing, portable potties, diaper bins, washing machines and dryers (hallelujah!) and kid-friendly dishes and cups. You get a full kitchen (including dishwasher an stovetop and all pots, pans, utensils and dishware), and child-sized bunk beds that pull down from the wall and stow away just as easily.
Each suite is configured a bit differently, but most have separate living and kitchen areas, a bedroom with queen bed, and pull-out bunk beds in a separate area (such as the hallway or living area). My suite had a full bath as well as shower, though many only have showers. A few suites are one large room, without walled separations between the kids’ quarters and the adults’, and some sleep five (though most sleep four). Most have ‘Juliet’ balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that can be locked or unlocked to open should you ask for a key. Definitely, call Martinhal Chiado before booking to decide your best suite option.
In addition to the kid-friendly suites, Martinhal shines with a family-friendly breakfast service that includes a breakfast buffet (included) in their casual yet pretty cafe called the M Bar. Here, kids will find a Volkswagen bus to play inside while parents’ get plates prepared. The buffet includes plenty of hot and cold options, from eggs made to order, breakfast meats and cheeses, all sorts of breads and pastries and freshly-squeezed juices (you can even squeeze them yourself). Of course, all types of coffee drinks are also on offer.
The rest of the day, the M Bar is open for lunch and light tapas (until 7 pm), and after that, room service can be ordered. Families can also request their breakfast brought to their room in a cute wicker basket for no additional fee. Let’s face it…sometimes it’s easier to eat in the suite (especially when suites have full tables and chairs). There’s a full bar at M Bar (though again, it’s only open until 7 pm).
Even better, Martinhal has a fully staffed kids’ club designed for kids up to age 12 (though this is flexible) that comes included in the rate. The brightly-lit, fun room is filled with toys, craft centers and activity stations. In the evenings, the kids’ club transforms to the Pajama Club, where kids can eat dinner (this part is an extra charge of 10 Euro per child) and watch movies while parents go out. There’s a separate play area and quiet room area where parents can play with their kids (if perhaps your toddler wakes up before the rest of the family or your preschooler wants to play while the baby naps in the suite).
The front desk at Martinhal is fully-staffed 24 hours per day, and the front desk staff doubles as a family concierge, able to provide recommendations, book tours and reserve tables. You can walk to many areas of the city from the hotel, or can easily call a cab or Uber. Rates at Martinhal start at over $400/night, but the value is certainly there in the breakfast offerings, space offered, and childcare options (not to mention the welcome kids get here).
Have you been to Portugal with kids? What did you love?
Disclosure: I experienced Martinhal Chaido as a guest of the hotel, for the purpose of review. All opinion remains my own.
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