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Built on the hills above the Tagus River, Lisbon offers everything from cobbled streets to get lost in and a rich history to mouthwatering cuisine and friendly people. Couples can explore historic castles and fascinating museums, take a day trip from Lisbon to the magnificent Sintra Palace, or just while away the hours sipping coffee in one of the lovely squares. Of course, you’ll need a base for enjoying it all, and among these hotels, you’re sure to find the perfect pick.
Olissippo Lapa Palace
One of Portugal’s most stunning resorts, The Olissippo Lapa Palace was originally built in 1870 as a private residence, set atop a hill overlooking the Tagus River near Sao Jorge Castle. Nestled among lush gardens that provide an oasis in the city with its tropical flowers, streams, a pond, and a waterfall, it’s truly fit for royalty. In fact, it’s even hosted Sir Paul McCartney, Cher, and Sting. There’s an outdoor pool to lounge around while the on-site Lapa Restaurant serves an outstanding menu that features Mediterranean fare, and the spa provides a menu of decadent treatments. Rooms are impressive, with the top picks being the Royal Suite and Tower Room which has a Jacuzzi for two, a private turret for alfresco dining with a panoramic view of the city, and a pop-up TV at the end of the bed.
AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado
This intimate boutique hotel is located in the heart of Lisbon in an 18th-century building overlooking Municipal Square. The AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado is less than a 5-minute walk to the waterfront and hosts 28 rooms for an intimate stay, all of which are unique and jam-packed with historic character, including the original flagstone floors. You’ll enjoy modern comforts, too, including high-speed Wi-Fi, REVO super signal radios, and Smart TVs. The suites have kitchenettes too. The on-site Delfina Restaurant has a terrace on the square for alfresco dining and serves an excellent buffet-style breakfast with hot-and-cold items, including made-to-order eggs, bacon, and local ham. There’s also a small, well-stocked bar serving Portuguese wines and cocktails.
memmo Alfama
memmo Alfama sits just below Sao Jorge Castle in a magnificently restored 19th-century building that offers a mix of historic character with modern comforts. At the entrance are exposed ancient walls, while the minimalist rooms have beds with luxury linens, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. The Alfama Superior Rooms are a favorite, with views of the Tagus River and Alfama. Guests can take advantage of the free daily guided walk through Alfama’s narrow streets and the seasonal lap pool on the terrace or enjoy the complimentary breakfast with local delicacies. The Wine Bar offers dining with a view over Lisbon’s rooftops.
Valverde Hotel
Set along one of the main thoroughfares in Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade, the Valverde Hotel will put you steps from many of the top shopping and dining spots in the capital. It sits within a heritage building and includes an on-site restaurant and bar where live traditional Fado music is often hosted, a must-have experience in Portugal. Boat rentals can be booked at the concierge desk, while the patio is ideal for afternoon tea. There is no spa on the premises, but in-room massages can be arranged. Rooms vary in size and layout, but all come with standard amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and chic bathrooms with cast iron stand-alone tubs and rainfall showers. Some have balconies too.
Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel
Located along the bustling tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade in the center of Lisbon in an 18th-century building, the Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel provides an ideal base for exploring uptown and downtown, with Alfama, the oldest part of the city, nearby too. There are many eateries just steps away, while the hotel’s bar serves as the breakfast area, and 24-hour room service is available. Although there is no restaurant on-site. A fitness room and a lap pool with jets are in the basement, and the rooms are all spacious, with historic touches and modern amenities. Many feature Juliette balconies overlooking the lively street.
Pousada de Lisboa
Facing Praca do Comercio Square, Pousada de Lisboa is known for its hospitable staff that provides exceptional service and its impressive list of amenities. It hosts an indoor pool, a small spa, a sauna, and a fitness room, along with multiple dining options with menus ranging from burgers and steaks to vegetarian dishes. Guests can enjoy a generous complimentary breakfast buffet served daily in the glass-ceilinged courtyard. The rooms ooze elegance with features like high ceilings, parquet flooring, and many with balconies showcasing views across the square out to Tagus River. The duplex suites have views of Sao Jorge Castle, a Portuguese castle straight out of a fairytale.
Bairro Alto Hotel
In the vibrant quarter of Bairro Alto in one of the city’s prettiest squares, Praca de Camões, the Bairro Alto Hotel offers stylish, quiet rooms with the original units featuring impressive details like hand-painted birds on the walls and views overlooking the square. The newer rooms have bold pops of color, like eggshell blue walls and red leather desks. All come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some include balconies, while suites add whirlpool tubs. A wellness center on-site has a menu of pampering treatments, a double massage room, a sauna, a sensory shower, a Technogym, and a kinesis wall. Breakfast is served on a fabulously chic rooftop terrace while the cafe/bar features nightly music.
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
The Altis Belém Hotel & Spa is a five-star riverfront hotel. It stands out with its impressive architecture and lavish spa with a large indoor pool, hammam, Turkish bath, and Oxygen Spa therapy treatments. The hotel’s rooftop also has a pool where guests can relax with a view of the Tagus River. All rooms have river or garden views designed to evoke the regions that the Portuguese once explored, such as West Africa and Brazil. The Superior rooms and suites have balconies, with the Presidential Suite one of the most luxurious, featuring a whirlpool tub. Among the myriad dining options is the Michelin-starred Feitoria, the only Michelin-starred eatery in a Lisbon hotel.
InterContinental Lisbon
Located just above the Marques de Pombal Square, the InterContinental Lisbon offers rooms and suites with sophisticated decor spread over 19 floors. Those on the upper floors provide exceptional views, including Sao Jorge Castle, the Christ the Redeemer statue, the city’s red-tiled rooftops, and the Tagus River. All come with free Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, Nespresso machines, and marble bathrooms, while suites come with separate living areas and kitchens. The on-site restaurant, Akla, offers a menu of plates for sharing, while the adjacent Uptown Bar features a wide selection of Portuguese wines (and Portuguese wines are some of Europe’s best!) and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.
Hotel Avenida Palace
An opulent Chiado hotel in a neoclassical building dating back to 1892, Hotel Avenida Palace knows how to pamper its guests. Its rooms and suites include many thoughtful amenities like well-stocked minibars, espresso machines, luxe bedding, and soaking tubs. All are decorated in Old World style with ornate antique furnishings and gilded detailing. There is no restaurant, but an outstanding buffet-style breakfast is served in the dining room beneath sparkling chandeliers, and there is a bar that serves a range of cocktails and other drinks, often enjoyed with live music hosted in the adjacent lounge.
Solar Do Castelo
Solar Do Castelo sits within the walls of Sao Jorge Castle at the top of Alfama, located inside an 18th-century mansion. A stay here puts guests just steps from many of the city’s top sights and things to do while enjoying an intimate retreat with just 20 rooms. All have medieval-inspired furnishings with a contemporary twist, and many overlook the picturesque courtyard. Some have balconies that are well worth the upgrade. There are limited facilities due to the size of the hotel, but in the basement, there is a small museum with a medieval cistern and pottery fragments discovered during the hotel’s construction.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
An iconic luxury hotel across from Parque Eduardo VII sitting atop one of the city’s seven hills, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon offers elegant, spacious rooms and suites, most of which have a terrace or balcony, many with an exceptional city view. All have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, robes, and slippers. Some suites have multiple bedrooms and fully equipped kitchenettes too. Two well-reviewed restaurants are on-site, one serving Japanese dishes and another focused on Portuguese fare. The wellness offerings are impressive, too – no surprise there being in one of Europe’s best spa destinations. The offerings include an indoor lap pool, a spa, and a rooftop fitness center with a running track.
Martinhal Chiado Lisbon
Set within a 19th-century townhouse, Martinhal Chiado Lisbon is an ideal luxury hotel for couples who are traveling with small children. It hosts 37 self-catering suites that come with the comforts of home, including full kitchens and washing machines. The hotel offers a fantastic free kid’s club with activities designed for various age groups, and there’s even a baby concierge for pre-booking equipment you might need for your little one. Plus, the Pyjama Club that operates in the evening is free and allows parents to enjoy some alone time while the kids have fun.
The One Palácio da Anunciada
The One Palácio da Anunciada sits within a beautifully restored 16th-century palace in the heart of the city. A five-star hotel, it has a long outdoor pool overlooking Lisbon’s rooftops and a spa with a plunge pool that has jets, a 24/7 gym, and decadent treatments using upscale products. Dining can be enjoyed in several different areas, including the main restaurant, Condes de Ericeira, which serves gourmet Mediterranean and Iberian fare. The sophisticated rooms come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and minibars.
