Best hotels in Lisbon
-
Loading... - louie lilly
- 06 Jul 2022
- 118 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Lisbon is a city that feels unlike any other in Europe. Perhaps that’s down to its position on the edge of the continent, gazing out over the Atlantic, or the fact that it’s been the jumping-off point for many of the world’s early explorers, but it remains a place apart. You’ll feel it wandering the labyrinthine cobbled streets of Alfama, or returning from a night out in Bairro Alto that started with a swig of ginja cherry liqueur in a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood bar and ended with a performance of fado in a candle-lit Lisbon basement. It also offers some exceptional places to stay, and the accommodation offering expands year on year. There are slick modern operations with spas and rooftop cocktail bars, and small guesthouses with original features and antique furniture. Most will squeeze in some sort of view of the famously hilly city – and you should spend part of your stay in Lisbon just taking it all in.
1. Memmo Alfama, Alfama
Converted from a shoe-polish factory and bakery on a cobbled street in the Alfama district, the adults-only Memmo is a study in calm. The building is a seamless blend of the old and the new: the weathered floorboards, rough stone walls and wooden window shutters remain but have been joined by a rooftop infinity pool and wine bar, and a library and lounge filled with mid-century furniture. Guestrooms are all whitewashed simplicity, with oatmeal throws and polished-concrete bathrooms. Start and end the day on the rooftop terrace, with stonking views down to the River Tagus.
2. 1908 Lisboa Hotel, Indente
The fortunes of the 1908 Lisboa building have mirrored those of its neighbourhood; north of the city centre, formerly neglected Indente is now on the up, with bars, restaurants and shops peppering its streets. Occupying an art nouveau townhouse that had fallen into disrepair, the 1908 is now one of the finest boutique hotels in Lisbon. Art installations and industrial styling add a dash of urban cool to the original antique floor tiles and lofty ceilings of the bar and restaurant. Its 36 rooms, with tall windows and Juliet balconies, are eminently comfortable places to retreat to.
3. Palácio Ramalhete, Lapa
Step into the cocoon of the Palácio Ramalhete and you’ll forget you’re in a city at all. The building’s soul is retained in the detail: in the hand-painted azulejo tiles covering the walls, and the stone steps worn smooth by centuries of footfall. Each of the rooms and suites has its own personality, though all have antique furniture and wood or flagstone flooring; the standout is the Executive Old Kitchen, with a lounge area tucked into the original fireplace. Add in a delightful little bar, plant-filled courtyards and outdoor pool and you’ll find little reason to leave.
4. Santiago de Alfama, Alfama
Not many architects have to grapple with an original Roman arch when they’re planning a renovation, but that’s just one of the historic remains unearthed and celebrated during the conversion of this 15th-century palace into one of Lisbon’s finest luxury hotels. Original features have been preserved, but the Santiago de Alfama is a thoroughly modern place, with peaceful guestrooms and a café, bar, restaurant and beauty parlour housed within the building’s thick walls. Service is exemplary, with many unique experiences on offer; for a special occasion, book a private tour of the Tagus on the hotel’s 1953 speedboat. Read More…
