Home to beautiful streets, award-winning restaurants, independent boutiques and a thriving creative community, Lisbon is, undeniably, one of the coolest places in Europe for a city break. The Portuguese capital has experienced a tourism boom in the past decade, with travellers looking to immerse themselves in the country’s culture. Head to the Bairro Alto neighbourhood for a buzzy bohemian vibe and soak in the cobbled streets and brightly-coloured houses, or take a trip to one of the city’s oldest areas, Alfama, where you’ll easily spot tiled palaces and vibrant orange trees lining the streets.
Indulge in Portuguese cuisine (there’s more to it than just pastel de natas) at O Velho Eurico near São Jorge Castle for classics such as salted cod and octopus or opt for Michelin-star fare at Belcanto in Bairro Alto. Top bars include the chic V Rooftop Bar (more on that later), Foxtrot for a speakeasy vibe and Pavilhão Chinês – one of the oldest cocktail bars in Lisbon. But, what about the best hotels in Lisbon, I hear you say. Look no further than our edit of Lisbon’s most luxurious stays, ranging from palatial residences to boutique boltholes.
Bairro Alto Hotel, Bairro Alto
Image: Bairro Alto Hotel
A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Bairro Alto set the standard for luxury hotels in Lisbon when it opened its doors in 2005. Tucked away in the bohemian corner of the city, the hotel’s interiors are inspired by the life outside its doors, with all 87 boutique rooms furnished with Portuguese crafts from artisanal rugs to Costa Nova ceramics. The stand-out suites can’t go without mention; located on the top floor of the five-star hotel, the 473 square foot abodes offer enchanting views across three of the city’s historic neighbourhoods: Chiado, Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré.
Lisbon is renowned for its rooftop terraces and Bairro Alto Hotel is home to one of the most popular: Bahr. Sit back and relax while taking in sweeping views of the terracotta rooftops towards the Tagus river and snacking on smoked barnacles on toast, prawn rissoles and croquettes with Portuguese mustard alongside a selection of traditional wines and signature cocktails. We also love the hotel’s patisserie with its unobstructed view to Luís de Camões square, where you’re guaranteed your pastel de nata fix, as well other typically Portuguese sweet and savoury pastries freshly made onsite throughout the day. Cocktail connoisseurs will also enjoy the hotel’s 18.68 bar housed in the original premises of the oldest volunteer fire station in Portugal and serving mixes of Campari with coffee and Abuelo Añejo rum, mint, lime and champagne.
Visit bairroaltohotel.com
1908 Hotel Lisboa, Intendente
In 2017 this listed 1908 Art Nouveau property was transformed from an apartment building into a 36-room hotel with award-winning architecture and stylish interiors by Atelier Maldonado. Inside, the guest experience is thoroughly modern, with street art pieces adorning the walls and a concierge service at your fingertips via Whatsapp.
The Infame Restaurant and Bar is one of the hotel’s main draws (and features, quite literally, a fly on the wall) serving sangrias, signature cocktails (we love the aptly-named Infame In Da Club) and Portuguese wines alongside plates of salmon ceviche, pork neck and sausage rice and Ovos Rotos with shrimp, french fries, fried egg and parma ham. Step outside into the hip and trendy neighbourhood of Intendente and you’ll find even more buzzy bars and restaurants to sate your appetite.
Visit 1908lisboahotel.com
The Vintage Hotel & Spa, Príncipe Real
Ideal for a fashionable stay, The Vintage boasts luxury and glamour thanks to its opulent interiors and sleek guest experience. Celebrating the local community, the hotel features bespoke furniture (some harking back to the 1950s), graphic artworks created by local artists such as João Rei, and even pencils provided by family-owned Portuguese maker Viarco. Inside the 56 guest rooms, you’ll find a unique vintage bar cart complete with a complimentary gin and tonic kit created by Portuguese cocktail expert Nino Lopes. Mix yourself a drink and take it to the rooftop to enjoy alongside stunning views of Lisbon’s skyline.
Talking of rooftops, The Vintage’s terrace is one of the best in the city. V Rooftop is a sky-high urban oasis with an array of tropical plants and panoramic views of the Portuguese capital. Chef João Silva heads up the hotel’s Blue Bar and Restaurant downstairs, where he pays homage to the city’s cerulean skies and azure water with locally-sourced seasonal ingredients to create an authentic taste of Portugal, featuring the likes of black sausage bruschetta, sauteed spicy shrimp and seared tuna. Finally, no stay at The Vintage is complete without a trip to the spa: an immersive sanctuary decorated with luxurious velvets, brick-red walls and bespoke ceramic pieces, crafted by Lisbon artist Cecile Mestelan. Opt for a deep tissue massage, personalised facial or full-body exfoliation to round off your trip nicely – or, if your itinerary allows, how about all three?
Visit thevintagelisbon.com
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Avenida de Liberdade
Images: Four Seasons
Providing the perfect base to explore Lisbon’s best attractions thanks to its location close to Avenida de Liberdade (one of the main avenues in Lisbon), the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is also in a prime position for eager explorers looking for public transport to take them away from the capital to the nearby coastline, vineyards and quiet country villages. From the point of arrival at the airport, the team at the Four Seasons aims to make your holiday as stress-free as possible by offering all suite guests a complimentary transfer to the hotel via its private town car or limousine. Once inside, marvel at the modern Louis XVI decor and collection of important contemporary local artwork in its halls before being escorted to one of the hotel’s stand-out suites. Our top pick is the Almada Negreiros Suite offering three private balconies with views over the Eduardo VII Park and Marquês de Pombal Monument, as well as a spacious living area, separate dining room and master bedroom.
Fine-dining foodies will love the Cura Restaurant, where Michelin-starred chef and head culinary curator Pedro Pena Bastos draws from Lisbon’s rich regional palette to create a decadent menu including bluefin tuna and turnip, turbot and teardrop pea and squid with roasted seaweed butter. If you want to learn more about Portuguese cuisine, Pena Bastos is also on hand for seafood masterclasses where you can learn the secrets to creating the perfect plate of cataplana, one of Portugal’s most famous dishes. For a more relaxed dining affair, head to the Varanda Restaurant: an all-day dining destination famed for its lavish brunch.
Visit fourseasons.com
Olissippo Lapa Palace, Belém
Last but definitely not least, Olissippo Lapa Palace is not just a hotel but a resort tucked away on one of Lisbon’s seven hilltops in one of the region’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. The five-star hotel, also one of the Leading Hotels of the World, was built as the private residence of the count of Valenças and is just moments from the city’s most famous sites and shopping streets. The luxurious furnishings come from the north of Portugal, recreating the regal style of King João V with colonial, Algarvian and neoclassical flourishes. Olissippo Lapa Palace is divided into three sections, with the Palace Wing offering the most traditionally Portuguese interiors compared to the modern Garden Wing and Villas. The Tower Room, situated on the top floor of the hotel, is a lavishly luxurious suite, with two private balconies (one of which is the turret of the original palace) and boasts arguably the best view in Lisbon.
Aside from wandering the hotel’s stunning gardens and marvelling at the sweeping views of Lisbon and the Tagus River, there’s plenty to explore. Restaurant Lapa offers high-quality Mediterranean cuisine in a formal space featuring sliding glass doors and a sun-soaked terrace – the perfect place to while away the hours. Venture downstairs to the Lapa Palace Spa, offering an array of skincare and body services using Elemis products, such as hot stone therapy, aromatic baths, massages and facials.
Visit olissippohotels.com
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