Belem Design Studio 2: Lisbon's Hidden Gem Unveiled!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average hotel review. We’re diving headfirst into Belem Design Studio 2: Lisbon’s Hidden Gem Unveiled! And trust me, it's a gem, alright. I'm still reeling from the experience, in the best way possible. SEO? We got it. But first… the feels.
Let’s start with the basics, because, well, we gotta.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Potential for Improvement
Alright, so the accessibility… it’s a bit of a mixed bag. They’re definitely trying. There's an elevator, which is a HUGE plus for anyone with mobility issues. They also have facilities for disabled guests, which is encouraging. I didn't have a chance to fully test its wheelchair accessibility, but I did notice some potential issues as I wandered around, the spaces are quite tight in places. It's worth checking directly with them about specific needs.
Inside or Outside? - Restaurants & Lounges
I wouldn't say there are any on-site accessible restaurants / lounges. But Lisbon is bursting with them, all within easy reach.
Internet, Oh Glorious Internet!
Okay, the internet is a star. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! That’s music to my ears. I’m a blogger, so this is crucial. And it wasn't just available; it was actually fast. (Thank you, gods of Wi-Fi.) They also mention Internet [LAN], which is cool for those wired-in types. Internet services seem solid, no complaints. And Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep, all good.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Bliss (Almost!)
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. The spa. Ahhh. Okay, so there's a mention of Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom, but I didn't see any of these options on-site. Lisbon itself offers plenty of these.
The Fitness Fiasco (Kinda)
Okay, the Fitness center… Gym/fitness – didn’t see a fully fledged one. Ah, the Pool with view and Swimming pool [outdoor]! Yes! And seriously, the view is killer.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Comforting Embrace
This is where Belem Design Studio 2 really shines. Anti-viral cleaning products, check. Daily disinfection in common areas, check. Doctor/nurse on call, check. First aid kit, check. Hand sanitizer, EVERYWHERE. They are taking Covid seriously. My inner germaphobe breathed a huge sigh of relief. Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment,…it’s a total fortress of cleanliness.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Foodie’s Playground
Okay, I'm a HUGE foodie. Let's get to the important stuff. A la carte in restaurant? Yes! Alternative meal arrangement? Sounds good. Asian breakfast? Intriguing. Asian cuisine in restaurant? I'd need to explore Lisbon for that. Bar? Yes, and a good one! Bottle of water? They offered one. Breakfast [buffet]? YES! (More on that later.) Breakfast service? Brilliant. Buffet in restaurant? Again, yes. Coffee/tea in restaurant? The coffee was strong, just how I like it. Coffee shop? There's not one onsite, but there is everywhere around the location. Desserts in restaurant? Yes. Happy hour? Check! International cuisine in restaurant? Absolutely. Poolside bar? Yes! Restaurants? A solid selection. Room service [24-hour]? A lifesaver. Salad in restaurant? Yes! Snack bar? Yes. Soup in restaurant? Yes. Vegetarian restaurant? No onsite, but Lisbon is a vegetarian's dream. Western breakfast? Yes. Western cuisine in restaurant? Yes.
The Breakfast Buffet – A Stream of Consciousness
Okay, the Breakfast [buffet]. Breakfast service? Buffet in restaurant? The food? I remember thinking, "Woah." And not in a pretentious, foodie way. It was just…good. Really good. Fresh fruit, pastries that actually tasted like they were made that day… the coffee/tea in restaurant… Coffee shop? I don't think there was one, but the important thing to me was that the coffee was hot, strong, and endless. Eggs, bacon, the works. I probably ate about three plates of it. This is where the whole "stream of consciousness" thing kicks in: I was so busy devouring the food, that I forgot to take pictures! (I KNOW, I’m a terrible blogger. Forgive me, food gods!). The bacon was crispy, the pastries were flaky… I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. It was the perfect way to start the day, fueling me for a whirlwind of exploring.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Comforts
Air conditioning in public area, yes. Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator – all there. Essential condiments? I think so. Facilities for disabled guests (mentioned above). Food delivery? Yes, thanks to Lisbon's many options. Gift/souvenir shop? Not onsite. Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars. Shrine… that was odd. Smoking area? Yes. Terrace? Yup. Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. Check, check, check.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal,… I didn’t have kids with me, but the hotel seemed genuinely welcoming to families.
Security: Peace of Mind
Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room: Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms. I felt safe.
Getting Around:
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. Getting around Lisbon is easy, and the hotel makes it even easier.
Available in All Rooms: The Bare Necessities (and Some Luxuries)
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Seriously, you want for nothing.
The Room - A Personal Story
My room? OMG, the room. It was a non-smoking haven of peace. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those late-night sunset escapades, and the bed… oh, the extra long bed! I sunk right in. The shower was heavenly, with perfect water pressure. Free bottled water on tap? Yes, please. Having a refrigerator was beyond useful for keeping
Mysore Palace Luxury Townhouse: Unbelievable City Center Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your perfectly curated, Instagram-filter-ready travel itinerary. This is the slightly-off-kilter, “I-forgot-my-toothbrush-but-found-the-best-pastel-de-nata-ever” version. We're going to Lisbon, baby, and we're aiming for BELEM DESIGN STUDIO 2 by HOMING. Prepare for glorious chaos.
Lisbon, Portugal: The Belem Design Studio Descent (and Ascent! And Sideways Shuffle!)
Day 1: Arrival & Architectural Swooning (and Mild Panic About Data Roaming)
- Morning (Like, REALLY Morning, Because Jet Lag Is a Monster): Arrive at Lisbon Airport. The air? Already smells of something delicious and vaguely promising (could be the Pastel de Nata anticipation talking). I am slightly horrified at the size of my backpack after I struggled to carry it.
- Transportation Fiasco (More of a Mild Mishap): Grab a taxi to Belem. Okay, so I thought I booked a transfer. Apparently, I booked a… well, nothing. Good start, me. Thankfully, Portuguese taxi drivers are generally saints. We navigated the city's charming (and slightly insane) traffic.
- Check-in at BELEM DESIGN STUDIO 2 by HOMING: This is the moment. The pictures online were gorgeous, the reviews… promising. Walked in. Immediately went "Ooooh, yes." (My inner architecture nerd squealed.) The studio is, honestly? Stunning. The light! The views! (And, blessedly, good Wi-Fi. Data roaming prices are the devil.)
- Lunch & First Bites (The Holy Trinity: Pastel de Nata, Coffee, Panic): Found a little pastelaria nearby. Ordered a coffee (because, you know, civilization) and a Pastel de Nata (because, Lisbon). My blood sugar spiked. My happiness level did, too. And then I realized I hadn't actually planned much for the afternoon. Slight panic. But the pastry was good. Very, very good.
- Afternoon: Exploring the Monastery & Feeling Incredibly Small (and Then Hungry Again): Okay, so the Jerónimos Monastery. Majestic. Massive. Made me feel like a tiny ant. The architecture is just… wow. Spent a solid hour wandering around, jaw perpetually dropped, and contemplating the sheer effort it took to build this. Got a bit overwhelmed. Definitely needed more pastry.
- Evening: Dinner, Sunset & Utter Exhaustion (and the Delightful Sounds of Lisbon): Found a little tasca (traditional restaurant) and attempted to order in broken Portuguese. The waiter, bless his heart, put up with me. Had some grilled sardines (a bit bony, but utterly delicious), local wine (which I definitely spilled a bit of), and watched the sunset over the Tagus River. Utterly, completely, beautifully exhausted. Passed out as soon as I hit the ridiculously comfortable bed in the studio.
Day 2: Belem's Hidden Gems & Excessive Pastel de Nata Consumption (No Regrets)
- Morning: The Belem Tower & a Misunderstanding About Ticket Lines: Okay, the Belem Tower. Iconic. Beautiful. The queue? Less beautiful. Actually, the queue was a soul-crushing, sun-baked, tourist-saturated nightmare. I may have muttered a few choice words under my breath. But the view from the top? Worth it. Just… worth it.
- Mid-Morning: Finding the Perfect Photo Spot (and Getting Slightly Judged By a Local): Seriously, the sheer number of Instagrammers trying to get the perfect shot around the Belem Tower was hilarious. I joined in, obviously. But I also got “the look” from a local woman who clearly thought I was a complete idiot. Fair enough. I probably was.
- Lunch: Pastel de Nata Pilgrimage (Operation: Fill My Face): Okay, so I'd read about “Pastéis de Belém,” the original Pastel de Nata bakery, and there was no way I was missing that. The line was INSANE. But then, I had it. The warm, creamy custard, the flaky pastry… honestly? Life-changing. I might have shed a tear. I ate a second one. And then a third. Judge me all you want.
- Afternoon: The Coaches Museum, Because, Why Not? Okay, so I’m not normally a “museum of coaches” kind of person. But the Coaches Museum in Belem is… well, it’s actually really interesting. Shiny, opulent, and surprisingly awe-inspiring. I spent longer than I thought I would staring at these things, getting a sense of the history (even if I did get slightly lost at one point).
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Finding Peace (and Maybe a Portuguese Guitar): Wandered the gardens of the Jerónimos Monastery again, this time just to enjoy the tranquility. The evening light was so good. Decided to find some live music, preferably a Portuguese guitar. Got lost. Got found. Listened to some beautiful Fado (the traditional music of Portugal) in a tiny, dimly lit restaurant. Ordered more wine. Felt utterly blissful.
Day 3: City Exploration & Departure (with a Heart Full of Portugal & a Stomach Full of… You Know)
- Morning: A Quick, Panic-Induced Dash to Find Souvenirs Okay, remember how I said I’d planned nothing? Well, I also haven’t bought anything. Panic set in. Raced around, buying little ceramic roosters (the symbol of Portugal, apparently), a scarf, and some postcards. I am the epitome of the last-minute souvenir shopper.
- Mid-Morning: A Fateful Ride on Tram 28 (and the Near-Death Experience): Decided to take the infamous Tram 28. The one they warn you about. The one that winds through the impossibly narrow streets of Lisbon. It was… quite the experience. Adrenaline pumping (thought I was going to die at one point), beautiful views (when not being crushed by another tourist), and all the while trying to stay on the rail as the tram flew around the city.
- Lunch: A Last-Minute Pastel de Nata (Because, Obvious): One last Pastel de Nata. Just one. Okay, maybe two. Okay, I might have bought a whole box to take home. Don’t judge.
- Afternoon: Packing, Reflecting & a Mild Existential Crisis: Packed my (now overflowing) backpack. Sat on the balcony of the studio, looking out at the view, and feeling overwhelmed with bittersweet emotions. Lisbon had charmed me. Its chaos, its beauty, its food… I was going to miss it. Maybe, just maybe, I’d plan next time. (Probably not, though.)
- Evening: Heading Home: Goodbye Lisbon, until we meet again.
Quirky Observations, Rambles & Emotional Reactions:
- The Language Barrier is Real: Even though I tried, my Portuguese is atrocious. I’m convinced I spent most of the time gesticulating wildly and hoping for the best.
- The Cobblestones Are a Hazard: Those cobblestones! They're beautiful, yes, but they're also treacherous. Almost face-planted multiple times.
- The Light in Lisbon is Magical: Seriously. The way the light plays off the buildings, the water… it's just… wow. I could stare at it all day. (And, sometimes, I did.)
- I Love This City: Despite the minor mishaps, the language fails, the slightly-too-much pastel consumption… Lisbon has stolen my heart. It's messy, it's chaotic, it's beautiful, and it's completely, wonderfully human. I can’t wait to come back (and bring a smaller backpack). And maybe learn some more Portuguese. (Maybe.)
This itinerary? It's not perfect. It's not always pretty. But it’s real, and it’s mine. And that, my friends, is what travel is all about. Now go, explore, get lost, and eat all the Pastel de Natas you can handle. You deserve it.
Johor Bahru Netflix Getaway: A2807 Grand Medini Studio w/100mbps!
So, like, what IS the *point* of [Life's Little Curveball]? Seriously, I’m supposed to be enjoying this?
Ugh, if I had a nickel for every time I asked *myself* that question... Okay, so here's the (probably-not-helpful-but-honest) truth: There *isn't* a single, neat, perfectly-packaged "point." It's more like… a messy, chaotic, sometimes-brilliant, sometimes-soul-crushing adventure. Think of it like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions. You’re probably gonna end up with a spare screw, a bruised ego, and a wobbly cabinet, but hey, you *built* something. And maybe, just maybe, that wobbly cabinet is a metaphor for... well, everything.
Okay, let's say I'm IN the curveball, stuck in the spin cycle. How do I… you know… *cope*? I’m drowning in feelings and I’m not sure if I'm feeling the right ones!
Oh honey, I get it. The feels? They’re a *lot*. First, breathe. Deep, shaky, ugly-cry-in-the-bathroom kind of breaths. Then, here's my totally unprofessional but emotionally informed advice:
- Allow Yourself to Feel ALL the Things. Seriously. Sad? Good. Angry? Also good! (Just, maybe, don't punch anyone… unless they *really* deserve it. Kidding! …Mostly.) Don't try to shove those feelings down. They'll just bubble back up later, angrier and smellier.
- Find Your Tribe (or a Single, Tolerant Person). Talking helps. Even if it's just venting to your cat (I’ve done it, she’s a surprisingly good listener, though she judges my vocal fry) or your supportive aunt who always sends the best meme. You are not alone.
- Embrace the Mess. It's okay to be a hot mess. It's okay to eat ice cream for dinner and watch reality TV until 3 AM. It's okay to have a day (or a week, or a month) where you just… struggle.
- Seek Professional Help (If you Need It). Therapy isn’t some shameful secret. It’s like having a super-smart, emotionally-intelligent friend who also knows a whole bunch of evidence-based coping techniques. Seriously, it's been a game-changer for me.
This is all well and good, but I have to FUNCTION! Life doesn't stop just because I'm in a tailspin. How do I… get my act together at least *enough* to, like, pay the bills?
Ugh. Adulting. Right? Okay, this is when I have to channel my inner… slightly-more-together-than-I-feel-right-now self. Here's the practical-ish stuff:
- Prioritize the Non-Negotiables. Food. Shelter. (Ideally) Some form of hygiene. These are your bedrock. Ignore the perfect instagram selfies; focus on keeping yourself *ALIVE*.
- Break Everything Down. Overwhelmed? Break your tasks into tiny, manageable chunks. "Pay electric bill" becomes "Find electric bill," "Log into account," "Enter password," and so on. Celebrate each mini-victory.
- Ask for Help. Seriously. From the grocery store clerk to your best friend. It's OKAY to ask for help. People *want* to help (sometimes). And if you don't ask, you're just digging yourself a deeper hole.
- Lower Your Expectations. This is a big one. Everything doesn't need to be perfect. Your house doesn't need to be spotless. Your outfit doesn't need to be runway ready. Give yourself grace.
Speaking of low expectations, I made it through the curveball! Now what? Will I be a 'better' person? Will I 'learn' anything? (Are these even important questions?)
Oh, the aftermath... It’s like… the post-apocalyptic landscape of your emotional life. And honestly? There's no guaranteed prize at the end of the curveball tunnel. You *might* be "better." You *might* have "learned" something. You might also just be exhausted and ready for a nap. And *that's* okay too!
Look, I will tell you the truth. I went through a really nasty breakup a few years ago. I mean, soul-crushing, ice-cream-for-breakfast-for-weeks kind of nasty. I was a mess. I remember being in my apartment, staring at the ceiling, and just feeling… nothing. I was so incredibly empty. All the "life lessons" felt hollow. And I remember thinking, "Well, this is it. This is all there is."
But here's the thing: I got up. (Eventually.) I slowly put the pieces back together. And while I *didn't* become some perfect enlightened being, I *did* learn a few things. I learned I was stronger than I thought. I learned I could survive heartbreak. I learned... to buy extra ice cream, just in case. Ha!
So, focus on *what you need right now.* Are you hungry? Eat. Are you tired? Sleep. Are you feeling the urge to put off responsibilities? Well, do you *really* need to? If not, get off of your butt and at least *pretend* to be functioning. Maybe you’ll actually feel good, maybe you won’t. No big deal.
So, if this is all a giant mess, why bother at all? Why not just… you know… give up?
Okay, real talk? I get it. Every single damn day. There have been times where I have stared at the ceiling and thought "What's the point?" and just wanted to crawl back in bed. It's exhausting. It's disheartening. And sometimes… it *is* tempting to just throw in the towel. So, what do I do when I feel like that?
- I Allow Myself to FEEL the Feeling. Instead of fighting the urge to quit, I actually sit with it for a moment. I let myself recognize the pain. Which is kinda freeing.
- I Remember the Little Moments. Tiny joys. Like a perfect cup of coffee, a really good song, a hug from someone I love, your pet being cute, all of the little things that make life worth living. Some days, the little joys are all you have.
- I Look for Connection: I text a friend, call my mom. You don’t have to be alone.
- I Try. Even with every fiber of my being wanting to quit, I try. I force myself to take a step forward, no matter how small. Because, at it's core, you can't quit something you are still a part of.
