The hype
Guests are obsessed with the design and the pool area but consistently confused by the layout and frustrated by the lack of daily cleaning.
Locke de Santa Joana
$150-250/ night
Book this if You want the 'White Lotus' aesthetic with a kitchenette in a central Lisbon location, and don't mind a maze-like layout.
Why People Love It
- Stunning conversion of a 17th-century convent with Instagram-gold interiors
- Resort-style amenities including a pool and coworking space in the city center
- Rooms feature high-spec kitchenettes (Smeg appliances) perfect for longer stays
Quick Take: A visually spectacular labyrinth that feels more like a high-end dorm for digital nomads than a traditional full-service hotel.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'sewage smell' in the corridors (a common Lisbon issue, but potent here) and the 'maze-like' hunt to find your room are frequent complaints.
- You are a digital nomad needing a cool coworking space and strong Wi-Fi
- You appreciate high-design interiors and don't mind self-catering
- You want a pool scene without leaving the city center
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Weekly schedule confuses guests; expect to reuse towels and empty your own bin on short stays.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally sparkling new, but watch for 'sewage smells' from drains in lower-floor rooms.
- Maintenance: Brand new, so physical condition is excellent, though some 'teething issues' with AC and key cards reported.
- Linens & towels: High quality, crisp and fresh.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells amazing (signature scent), but corridors can suffer from intermittent drain odors.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Echoing voices from the central courtyard (especially in lower-floor rooms)
- Corridor doors slamming
- Ventilation hum in some interior rooms
Before you book
Good to know
- Housekeeping is weekly for stays over 7 nights; shorter stays get a 'light tidy' only upon request/fee.
- The pool is unheated and seasonal (April-October)—it's freezing in shoulder months.
- Breakfast is cheaper (€19 vs €23) if you book it the day before at reception.
What to pack
- slippers (floors can be cold and hard)
- Eye mask (blackout curtains are good, but courtyard lights can bleed through)
- Your own toiletries (provided ones are mounted and sometimes empty)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Locke Studio on upper floors (Block A or B) for better light and privacy
- Suites with private terraces (not the shared walkway ones)
Rooms to avoid
- Ground floor 'Courtyard' rooms (zero privacy, people walk right past your window)
- Block D rooms if you hate stairs (often no direct elevator access)
- Interior rooms with 'atrium' views (can be dark and claustrophobic)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a room on a high floor in Block A or B, specifically avoiding the ground-floor courtyard units due to privacy concerns. Please ensure the room has direct elevator access without internal stairs.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool heated?
No, it is a seasonal outdoor pool and unheated. Refreshing in July, icy in April.
Do all rooms have kitchens?
Most do (Studios and Suites), featuring Smeg appliances and dishwashers. The basic 'Locke Room' type does NOT have a kitchen.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is an on-site garage, but it costs around €35 per day.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, it is very dog-friendly. There is a one-time fee of €40 per stay.
Is breakfast included?
Usually no. It's a buffet at Santa Joana restaurant, costing ~€23 per person unless booked in a package.
Is there AC?
Yes, all rooms have climate control, though some guests find the ventilation system a bit noisy.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'museum' area in the basement displays artifacts found during construction—worth a quick look.
- ✨
Use the 'Spiritland' bar for a quiet drink; it's often emptier than the pool bar.
- ✨
Ask for a 'city view' room to avoid the 'fishbowl' effect of the internal courtyard.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'maze' is real: You might need to take two different elevators and a flight of stairs to find your room.
💡The sewage smell in the hallways is a recurring issue, likely due to old Lisbon plumbing meeting new construction.
💡The 'gym' is actually excellent and better equipped than most 5-star hotels in the city.
💡You have to take your own trash out if you want it gone before the weekly clean.
💡The pool area gets very little direct sun in the late afternoon due to the high surrounding walls.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Locke de Santa Joana is located and what's nearby.