VOLUME 3 - ISSUE 13: July 14, 2025

I recently had some okay hotel stays and realized there are certain things that I need besides a clean hotel room like a comfortable bed to sleep in. Here are mini reviews for hotels I’ve stayed at earlier this year. Yes, it’s well overdue for these reviews but I have memory like an elephant so these reviews will feel like I just was there!

LISBON

Location: Situated between Barrio Alto and Chiado neighborhood in Lisbon. Very lively area where there are a lot of shops, restaurants and historical sights nearby

Room: This is a boutique hotel so the rooms are on the smaller side but well designed and decorated. The windows in the room opened giving the opportunity to get fresh breeze or listen to the sounds outside. Overall considering it is in a busier part of the city, I didn’t find it too loud and didn’t hear nearby guests in the other hotel rooms for the most part. Hotel slippers and robes are provided and the bed is comfy IMO. The hotel does provide turn down service and offers more unique items such as supplements

Service: Really great and everyone was so helpful, one of the staff members gave me great dinner recommendations and assisted with making the reservation at the chosen restaurant

Food: I had breakfast and pre-dinner drinks at the hotel. I really appreciated the offerings at the hotel for breakfast as they had something for just about everyone. For pre-dinner drinks I didn’t eat too much lol and I did enjoy the wine I had. The hotel restaurant is a rooftop one so there is a great view of the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge

PORTO

Location: Although affected by construction in the city, it is well located in the city centre and makes it easy to get around to various locations

Room: The room is a good size and is decorated in a more traditional style. The beds were so comfy that a couple of times I didn’t want to get out and would have been fine to stay in bed all day. There are minimal noises that you can hear and overall it’s a quiet hotel. Hotel slippers and robes are provided here. Turn down service occurs as well with tasty treats that I couldn’t say no to!

Service: Everyone was helpful and always able to answer any questions that I may have had. There was an issue with check out due to technology but the front desk staff member told me it was okay and they would e-mail me my receipt

Food: I had lunch at the hotel and thought it was a good meal and the bar at the hotel serves food too. I didn’t have any issues with my meal at the hotel bar. I do recall that they did run out of certain menu items so people in my group needed to choose a different item on the menu. Good selection of cocktails and wine, irc there were mocktails too

Price: 💵💵💵💵💵 - If you think Erewhon is expensive then meet Jayde’s Market. I’m not sure you can find ‘reasonably’ priced here but the produce and other products seem to be the best of the best you can purchase

Ambiance + Friendly/Knowledgable Staff: 👤👤👤👤 - When I was deciding on what type of drink to get at the coffee bar, I was given friendly advice on what the staff liked and what was popular. From my interactions everyone smiled/ nodded and then paused to see if you had any questions etc

Fresh & Organic Produce: 🌽🌽🌽🌽 - Great selection on produce that is in season although I don’t recall seeing anything unique and different

Unique Selection of Items: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - No stand out items but there are some items that you may not see at other stores that are more curated to the shoppers at the store + there is a good size wine shop

Prepared foods/Hot Bar: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 - Many options to purchase whether hot or cold in the store or at the coffee bar

(Fun Category) Athleisure and Range Rovers: 🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙 - This is the Beverly Glen area so if you are familiar with LA I don’t think I need to say more haha

Going Out

New York, NY - Bemelmans Bar 

New York, NY - Baretto New York

Staying In

Old Guard 2 (Netflix) - Love a good popcorn movie and was delighted to see the sequel to the first movie finally came out. Overall, I enjoyed the movie but a couple of times it did drag out. I mean that not in a terrible way but more so like can we move on from here. I wasn’t a fan of the ending as I’m not sure I’m down to wait until 2030 for the third movie considering it took five years between the first one and second one

Squid Games (Netflix) - I’m really happy with the way this series ended. There were a few of ‘predictable’ moments but overall I appreciated the risks that were taken with the way players were eliminated. I did like the cameo at the end as a nod to how ‘global’ Squid Games is. At the same time though, I do not want any spin offs of this show unless it’s like a prequel on how it all started but even then I’m okay with things ending here

So many new albums dropped on Friday, so a music lover like me is very happy at the moment. I also wanted to share this Playlist by fashion muse Amanda Murray for all my Love Island lovers inspired by nicolandria!

Click for Spotify and Apple Music 

Albums

‘Let God Sort Em Out’ by Clipse (Hip-Hop/Rap) - From start to finish this album is a message to many or just a few. There’s a lot I could say (in a great way) but I’m sure others can/will do it justice better than I can. I also enjoyed the appearances of Pharrell on many of the tracks and the selection of featured artists is 👌🏽👍🏽👍🏽🫰🏽 for me 

‘SWAG’ by Justin Bieber (Pop) - A Pop album with a soul, gospel, and R&B influence. This album is Justin giving insight into how he really feels and what life is like for him. Definitely a few songs I enjoyed more so than others but nice to see Justin creating music again on his terms

‘ELEMENTS Vol. 2’ by TOBi (Hip-Hop/Rap) - This is a great blend of rap, afrobeats and soul into one album. It’s a album that’s great to play when you’re looking for a vibe to lift the mood or just enjoy the ride while sitting in traffic

‘moisturizer’ by Wet Leg (Alternative) - I discovered this duo this year and I like their sound/vibe. They remind of The Linda Lindas where they give ‘classic rock’ with a fun twist and this album is a reflection of that

‘Loner’ by Barry Can’t Swim (Electronic) - I feel like I’m at warehouse party at 4AM in DTLA for an afters or in the South of France/Ibiza at a beach having fun with friends depending on the song. Either way this is the album to listen to for a ~summer vibe~ when it comes to electronic/house music

‘Until Night Comes’ by Larry June & Cardo Got Wings (Hip-Hop/Rap) - This album is a vibeeeee. I could definitely see this being played at cookouts and kickbacks at home this summer to start the day or night off. When the album finished I was like wait, that’s it?!

‘BELOVED’ by GIVĒON (R&B/Soul) - Really enjoyed this album! Flows so well I didn’t realize I was in the middle of my second listen until I looked to see the name of a song I was listening to. Classic R&B album

‘with all due respect’ by kwn (R&B/Soul) - I’m not the type of person to censor what I’m listening to around other people. As I grew up singing Gin n Juice and turned out fine for the most part haha. This album though…um yeah don’t play it around your parents, grandparents, or children. It is very adult very adult. It’s a chill yet sexy and sensual album that goes by pretty quickly since it is only 24 minutes long

Other Songs I’m Enjoying: Syd (R&B/Soul) - Die For This, Olympia Vitalis (R&B/Soul) - Painted Smiles

CHARITABLE GIVING

Not me not having a nice banner for this category 😅. Don’t worry, I’m working on that now. Due to recent events going on the US, I wanted to highlight some charities

Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

TEXSAR

World Central Kitchen

Órale

Unión del Barrio 

Austin Pets Alive