Hotel Vetting Before You Book
Vets a hotel before you pay: separates checkable facts from marketing copy, finds recurring red flags in the reviews, reads the cancellation terms and returns a verdict with caveats.
// prompt
You are a meticulous hotel-booking analyst. You can tell a verifiable listing from marketing copy, and you read guest reviews for systematic problems rather than one-off complaints. Vet the hotel I am about to book.
## What I Have
- **Hotel and room option:** {{hotel_and_room_option}}
- **Listing description:** {{listing_description}}
- **Review excerpts:** {{review_excerpts}}
- **Price and cancellation terms:** {{price_and_cancellation_terms}}
- **What matters most on this trip:** {{my_priorities}}
## How to Work
1. **Take the listing apart.** Separate checkable facts (room size, floor, air conditioning, real distances) from marketing phrasing ("cosy", "steps away", "with a view"), and say which claims still need verifying.
2. **Read the reviews like an analyst.** Look for repetition: one complaint about noise is chance, five is a property of the hotel.
3. **Hunt red flags deliberately:** noise at night, smells, construction nearby, photos that do not match the rooms, bedbugs and mould, rudeness at reception, undisclosed fees, deposits that come back slowly or not at all.
4. **Weight reviews by recency.** A problem from two years ago may have been fixed; a fresh run of complaints outweighs older praise.
5. **Check the picture against my priorities.** Complaints about breakfast do not matter if I am not buying it; "you can hear the neighbours" is critical if I am travelling to sleep.
6. **Read the booking terms:** the real free-cancellation deadline, prepayment, deposit, and anything payable on arrival.
7. **Give a verdict on three levels** — book with confidence, book with caveats (and name them), keep looking — and justify it.
## Output Format
- **Verdict** — one of the three levels plus two or three sentences on why.
- **Red flags** — a table: signal, how well confirmed, what it costs me.
- **Ask the hotel** — three to five questions to settle before paying.
- **Before you pay** — a short checklist: cancellation terms, extra charges, documents to keep.
Judge only the data I gave you. Where it is not enough for a confident call, say plainly what is missing.
Fill in the variables
Example run
Generated by Claude Opus 5.5 on September 23, 2026
Inputs used
- Hotel and room option
- Hotel Alfama Mirante (Lisbon, Portugal) — Deluxe Double Room with Tagus River View, Room-Only rate, 3 nights, 4–7 November 2026
- Listing description
- Property description as shown on the booking site (Hotel Alfama Mirante, 4-star boutique, Rua de São Tomé area, Alfama district): "Nestled in the heart of Lisbon's historic Alfama neighbourhood, Hotel Alfama Mirante offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Tagus River and terracotta rooftops. Steps away from the famous Miradouro das Portas do Sol and just a short stroll from the São Jorge Castle, our boutique hotel combines old-world charm with modern comfort. Deluxe Double Room (22 m²): Located on floors 2–4, these cosy rooms feature a queen-size bed, individually controlled air conditioning/heating, a rain shower, complimentary Wi-Fi, a minibar, and a work desk. Most rooms offer partial or full river views (subject to availability at check-in). Soundproofed windows ensure a peaceful stay in this vibrant, historic quarter. Location: 350 m to Alfama tram stop (Tram 28), 900 m to Lisbon Cathedral, 1.1 km to Santa Apolónia train station. Reception open 24 hours. Elevator available. Non-smoking property. Pets not allowed. Facilities: Rooftop terrace bar (open until midnight), breakfast room (buffet available for separate purchase, 08:00–10:30), 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, air conditioning throughout. Guest rating: 8.6/10 (based on 612 reviews) — 'Fabulous' category on the aggregator, 'Exceptional location' badge." Photos show a bright room with exposed stone wall, a river-view window, and a modern bathroom with glass shower. Floor plan is not provided. No explicit mention of window glazing type or which specific rooms have full vs. partial view.
- Review excerpts
- Recent reviews (last 8 weeks, Aug–Sep 2026): - Sep 18, 2026 (verified stay): "Room 304 was lovely but you can hear absolutely everything from the rooftop bar downstairs — bass until almost 1am both nights we stayed. Asked reception to move us, they said the hotel was fully booked." - Sep 10, 2026: "Elevator was out of service for our entire 4-night stay, no discount or apology offered, we were on floor 4 with heavy luggage." - Sep 3, 2026: "Beautiful view but the window doesn't seal properly — cold draft at night and street noise from the alley (tourists, glass bottles) until 2am on weekend." - Aug 27, 2026: "Charged a 'city tourist tax' of €2/night at checkout that wasn't mentioned anywhere during booking — fine once explained, but no advance notice." - Aug 20, 2026: "Deposit of €50 for incidentals was returned after 9 days instead of the promised 3, had to email twice." - Aug 12, 2026: "Loved the location and the staff at the front desk, Marta was incredibly helpful, but the room smelled of mildew — I think from the bathroom drain." Older reviews (2024–2025), sample: - Dec 2025: "Perfect quiet stay in November, no complaints, view was as advertised." - Jun 2025: "Some noise from the street but nothing major, we slept fine with earplugs." - Mar 2025: "Room was smaller than photos suggested but clean and comfortable." - Aug 2024: "Rooftop bar closes at 10pm off-season, no issue." - Jan 2024: "Construction noise from a neighbouring building renovation during the day, didn't bother us since we were out sightseeing." Overall pattern across ~40 reviews skimmed: noise complaints (rooftop bar and street) appear in roughly 6 of the last 10 reviews since July 2026, versus only 2 of 15 reviews from 2024–early 2025. Elevator downtime is mentioned twice in September 2026 only. Mildew/smell mentioned once (Aug 2026). No bedbug reports found in any review. Deposit-return delay mentioned in 2 recent reviews vs. none in older ones.
- Price and cancellation terms
- Total €567 for 3 nights (€189/night), room-only rate, prepaid in full at booking with no refund if cancelled after 4 November 2026, 18:00 local time — free cancellation only up to 48 hours before check-in (i.e., by 2 November, 18:00). A refundable €50 incidentals deposit is charged as a hold on the card at check-in. City tourist tax of €2/person/night (€12 total) is payable in cash or card at checkout, not included in the quoted price. No breakfast included; buffet breakfast can be added for €14/person/day at the property.
- My priorities
- Traveling alone for a 3-day work conference at a venue near Santa Apolónia; I'm a light sleeper and need uninterrupted sleep since I have early 8am sessions each day — noise is my top concern, more than the view or breakfast. Also want working AC/heating since early November nights in Lisbon can be chilly, and I'm carrying a rolling suitcase plus a laptop bag so a reliably working elevator matters. Budget is flexible but I want to avoid surprise fees at checkout.
Hotel Alfama Mirante, Deluxe Double River View, 4–7 Nov 2026
Verdict: Keep looking
Your top priority is uninterrupted sleep, and that is where this hotel is weakest right now. Noise shows up in about 6 of the last 10 reviews, up from 2 of 15 in 2024–early 2025. It comes from two sources: the hotel's own rooftop bar and the alley outside. A September review also says the "soundproofed windows" don't seal. Your stay is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, so one night falls on a weekend, which is when the street-noise complaint says it runs until 2am. The elevator was also out for a guest's whole stay two weeks ago, and nothing says it has been fixed.
What would change this to "book with caveats": written answers from the hotel confirming three things:
- the rooftop bar closes early in November (one 2024 review says 10pm off-season),
- you'll get a room not under or next to the terrace and not facing the alley,
- the elevator is working.
November may well be quieter than summer, and the one November review (Dec 2025) was "perfect, quiet". But that is a single data point, and the recent complaints are too frequent to bet €567 of prepaid money on it. A hotel near Santa Apolónia, outside the Alfama nightlife area, might suit a conference trip better anyway.
The listing, taken apart
| Claim | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 22 m², queen bed, floors 2–4, rain shower, desk, minibar | Checkable fact | Plausible. A Mar 2025 review says the room was "smaller than photos suggested". |
| Individually controlled AC/heating | Checkable fact | No complaints about it failing, but a draughty window would undercut the heating. Not verified. |
| "Soundproofed windows ensure a peaceful stay" | Marketing wording on a factual point | Contradicted (Sep 3: window doesn't seal, draft, street noise). Glazing type is not stated. |
| "Tagus River View" room vs. "most rooms offer partial or full river views (subject to availability)" | Room name vs. hedged description | You pay for a view that isn't guaranteed. The listing doesn't say which rooms get a full view. |
| Rooftop bar "open until midnight" | Checkable fact | A review reports bass until about 1am. The Aug 2024 review says 10pm off-season. November hours are unknown. |
| Elevator available | Checkable fact | Out of service for a full 4-night stay in Sep 2026. Current status unknown. |
| 350 m to tram, 900 m to cathedral, 1.1 km to Santa Apolónia | Checkable, but unclear | Not stated whether these are walking or straight-line distances. |
| "Steps away", "short stroll", "nestled", "breathtaking", "cosy" | Marketing | Unquantified. "Cosy" usually means compact. |
| 8.6/10 from 612 reviews, "Exceptional location" | Aggregate | This average lags the recent decline. The location badge says nothing about quiet. |
Red flags
| Signal | How well confirmed | What it costs you |
|---|---|---|
| Night noise from the rooftop bar | Strong. It is part of the recent run of about 60% noise complaints. One review names a specific room (304) and says reception couldn't move them because the hotel was full. Note: that reviewer calls the bar "downstairs", which doesn't fit a rooftop bar, so which rooms are affected is unclear. | Critical. Lost sleep before 8am sessions, with no guaranteed escape if the hotel is full. |
| Street/alley noise, weekend late nights | Strong. Part of the same recent pattern. Older reviews mention it too, but milder ("slept fine with earplugs"). | Critical on Friday 6 Nov. Moving to a lower floor to avoid the bar may put you closer to the street. |
| Windows don't seal (noise and cold draft) | Moderate. One detailed recent review, but it directly contradicts the "soundproofed" claim. | High. It weakens both noise protection and warmth on chilly November nights. |
| Elevator out of service | Moderate. Two September 2026 mentions, one lasting a full 4-night stay. No repair confirmation. Staff offered no discount or apology. | Medium. Carrying a rolling case and laptop bag up to floor 2–4 at check-in and check-out. |
| Weak service recovery | Moderate. No move when full; no apology for the elevator. Front-desk staff are otherwise praised ("Marta"). | Medium. If something goes wrong, don't expect it to be fixed. |
| Mildew smell (bathroom drain) | Weak. One review, Aug 2026. | Low–medium. Watch for it; ask for a different room if you smell it. |
| Slow deposit return | Moderate. Two recent reviews; one says 9 days instead of the promised 3, and needed two emails to chase. | Low. It's a €50 hold, but still an annoyance. |
| Tourist tax arithmetic doesn't add up | Confirmed discrepancy in your terms. €2 per person per night for 1 person over 3 nights is €6, but the terms say €12. Either the rate is really €4, or the booking is set up for 2 guests. | Low in money, but a sign of exactly the checkout surprise you want to avoid. Also check the room isn't priced for 2 occupants. |
| Cancellation terms contradict each other | Confirmed in your terms. They say "no refund after 4 Nov 18:00" and also "free cancellation only until 2 Nov 18:00". They also say "prepaid in full at booking" without saying the prepayment is refunded. | Up to €567. Treat 2 Nov 18:00 Lisbon time as the real deadline until the hotel confirms otherwise in writing. |
| Neighbouring construction | Stale. Only mentioned in Jan 2024, and daytime only. | Negligible unless it has restarted. Worth one line in your email. |
| Bedbugs | None found in any review. | No cost. |
| Rude reception | Not found. Staff are praised. | No cost. |
Ask the hotel (in writing, before paying)
- Rooftop bar and room placement: "What are the rooftop bar's closing hours during 4–7 November 2026? Please confirm in my booking notes that I'll be given a Deluxe room not directly below or next to the terrace and not facing the street/alley. I'm a light sleeper with early work sessions."
- Elevator: "Is the elevator currently working, and is any maintenance planned for early November? If it's out of service, will staff carry luggage?"
- Windows and heating: "What glazing do the Deluxe rooms have, and has the window-seal/draft issue guests reported recently been fixed? Is heating (not just AC) available in the rooms in November?"
- Charges: "For 1 guest for 3 nights, what exactly is the tourist tax: €6 or €12? Are there any other charges payable at the property? How many days does it take to release the €50 deposit hold?"
- Cancellation: "Please confirm that the full €567 prepayment is refunded if I cancel before 2 November 2026, 18:00 Lisbon time. Your terms also mention 4 November, 18:00; which deadline applies?"
Before you pay: checklist
- Cancellation deadline: Plan around Mon 2 Nov 2026, 18:00 Lisbon time. Portugal is on WET (UTC+0) after 25 Oct. Only rely on a later date if the hotel confirms it in writing. Put a reminder for 1 Nov in your calendar.
- Occupancy: Make sure the booking is for 1 adult, since the €12 tax figure suggests it may be set up for 2.
- Total cost you should expect: €567 prepaid, plus €6 or €12 tax at checkout, plus a €50 hold at check-in. Breakfast is optional at €14 per day, and you don't need it.
- Payment card: Use a credit card for the €50 deposit, not a debit card. A slow release then only affects your credit limit, not your cash.
- Keep these:
- booking confirmation showing the rate, occupancy and cancellation clause,
- screenshots of the listing (especially "soundproofed windows", "elevator available", "river view" and bar hours),
- the hotel's written replies to the questions above.
- At check-in: Photograph the room and window, check for any mildew smell, and test the heating. Ask for a quieter room right away while there are still options. Note the date the €50 hold is placed.
- Packing: Bring earplugs whatever you decide.
What's missing for a confident call
- The hotel's check-in time. The "48 hours before" deadline depends on it.
- Which rooms face the river, the alley, or the terrace. There is no floor plan.
- The rooftop bar's actual November hours.
- Whether the elevator has been repaired.
- The full text of the roughly 6 recent noise reviews. They would show whether it's mostly the bar or mostly the street, and on which floors.
- More than one off-season data point. The rise in noise complaints may be partly because recent reviews are all from summer.
If the hotel's written answers settle the first three points, I'd move this to "book with caveats".
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