Lisbon, with its blend of classic elegance and modern vibrancy, has quickly become one of the most popular places to visit. The Portuguese capital captivates visitors with its attractive streets, ancient trams, and breathtaking views from its numerous miradouros. The city's thriving arts sector, creative food, and vibrant nightlife make it a contemporary cultural hotspot. Alfresco dining in tiny squares, visiting the quirky neighbourhoods of Alfama and Bairro Alto, and taking in the city's seaside splendour are just a few of the activities that showcase Lisbon's distinct appeal. With a wonderful blend of old-world beauty and new-age vibrancy, Lisbon effortlessly captivates visitors from all around.
Palácio Príncipe Real
Indian Runner ducks are not commonly linked with Lisbon's green Príncipe Real, where soaring palm trees hide behind faded palaces. Nonetheless, these adorable ducks can be found all across the Palácio, which is delightfully pink.
They can be found on the bar of the appropriately called Duck Bar, etched in gold on your leather key card holder and even wrought into the iron railings of the spacious balconies. "We chose them as our logo because they come from Asia like us," explain British owners Miles and Gail Curley. Following a time in Singapore and several years in Madrid, the Curleys fell in love with this 19th-century palace during a vacation to Lisbon and decided to leave law for hospitality.
Gail took on the challenge of renovating and refurbishing the 28 bedrooms, integrating her own flair while respecting the palace's Portuguese tradition. One bedroom has been kept with ancient blue and white tiles and a colourful Moorish stucco work ceiling.
English elements are easily interwoven, from Drummonds' stand-alone bathtubs to Dyson hairdryers. Bathrooms have barley-colored local limestone, heated flooring, and Byredo amenities. The bedrooms include complementary minibars stocked with ginger health shots, Nespresso machines, and locally sourced pink pepper candles.
The Palácio exudes a generous sense of space and hospitality. Miles and Gail are committed to making guests feel welcome, going so far as to personally drive them when necessary. Begin your day with breakfast in the magnificent grounds, shaded by a Jacaranda tree, and poached eggs on toasted sourdough. Spend a relaxed day by the massive swimming pool beneath Lisbon's cloudless sky, soaking up the warm and inviting atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind palatial retreat.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
There is no better locaton to stay in Lisbon than the Ritz, a luxury icon facing Parque Eduardo in the city centre with views that go all the way to the river. The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, erected in 1959 by dictator Salazar as the city's first luxury hotel, has become one of Lisbon's most recognisable landmarks, known for its superb service and timeless beauty.
Upon entering, people are stunned by the amazing collection of paintings. Portuguese paintings and tapestries fill the walls, each conveying a narrative and enthralling even those who would not consider themselves art connoisseurs.
The décor is spectacular and classic, with marble flooring, chandeliers and gilded furniture in the public areas including the bar and restaurants. The recently remodelled rooms have a more pared-back elegance, but nevertheless have huge bathtubs, modern Japanese toilets, and impossibly large, welcome beds.
Food is certainly a feature of the Ritz. The weekend brunch is not to be missed, with tables piled high with fresh seafood, gorgeous salads, and classic Portuguese meals, while the colourful cakes and chocolates for dessert will satisfy any sweet taste.
For a more refined experience, Cura restaurant's tasting menu is one of the best in Lisbon. Expect delicious delicacies like melt-in-your-mouth squid with hazelnuts, roasted seaweed butter, and caviar, as well as a distinctive bread dish that emphasises Portuguese flavours with Azores butter, local olive oil, and surrounding grains.
The spa is another hidden gem, consistently rated as one of the best in Lisbon. It has world-class therapists and a wide range of therapies. Guests can enjoy both the excellent indoor pool and the newly constructed outdoor pool, which is ideal for reclining and ordering refreshments during the warmer months. Whether for art, cuisine, or relaxation, the Ritz provides an unmatched experience in the centre of Lisbon.
Sublime Lisboa
Located on a green boulevard in Lisbon's upscale Amoreiras area, this quaint hotel is directly in the centre of the city. It is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the designer boutiques on Avenida Liberdade and a 20-minute stroll from the waterfront and the majestic Praça do Comércio. Lisbon airport is only a 15-minute taxi ride away.
Sublime Lisboa has a magnificent, early twentieth-century façade that gracefully wraps around the corner, complete with a wrought iron balcony and a separate restaurant entrance down the street. Formerly known as Casa Fortunato, a 10-room hotel built by an architect and his wife who lived above the guest rooms, Sublime has converted the upper floor into additional beds while retaining major design aspects.
The bold Jupiter 10 geometric patterns and vibrant Farrow and Ball painted walls create a warm and welcoming environment. Rita Adringa chose the furnishings from Lisbon's Adringa Atelier, which includes artisan-crafted straw lampshades from Comporta and modern photos on the walls.
The service is competent and attentive, demonstrating the hotel's commitment to visitor happiness. A cosy library on the ground floor provides a calm hideaway just off the entrance. Though the hotel's amenities are limited due to its size, guests can arrange yoga courses and massages. The hotel also organises day tours to cultural attractions like as Sintra and Lisbon's beaches.
Each room at Sublime Lisboa is distinct in size, colour, and atmosphere. Some rooms include both bathtubs and showers, while others just have showers, but all are luxuriously comfortable. The upper two stories feature huge suites with spacious patios, allowing some outside space.
Every room has an honesty bar supplied with half bottles of gin, whisky, vodka and mixers, a complementary minibar with a special Pilsner house beer made with Comporta rice, as well as tea and Nespresso coffee machines. The rooms seem like a home away from home, with amusing Do Not Disturb and Make Up My Room signs providing a sense of local flavour.
Davvero, the hotel's beautiful Italian restaurant, honours the finest of Harry's Bars. The red and white tiled floor shines under gentle lighting, and leather bar stools line the marble counter for customers looking for a negroni or martini. Chef Isaac Kumi, who has opened restaurants for the Cipriani Group around the world, has created a delicious menu.
Highlights include spaghettoni cacio e pepe, truffle-rich beef tartare with quail eggs, and grilled wild seabass with caponata, lemon, and caper sauce. Pastry chef Mauro Abignente's lemon pie is a must-try treat. During the summer, guests can have their meals at outdoor tables.
Breakfast is served à la carte, with both continental and full breakfast selections. Additional options include eggs Benedict and avocado toast with lime and coriander, offering a tasty start to the day.
Memmo Príncipe Real
This hotel, accessible via a tunnel flanked by 19th-century palatial facades, has breathtaking views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. It is perfectly situated among new concept businesses and restaurants, with Lisbon's key attractions, such as the Praça do Comércio, within easy walking distance. The airport is only a 15-minute taxi ride away.
The facility, designed by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, who also created the previous Memmo hotels, emanates contemporary elegance while remaining strongly rooted in Portugal. The hotel, which uses local materials such as warm limestone and hand-painted tiles, displays modern art by Miguel Branco, Barahona Possollo, and Iva Viana, as well as handmade hats from a nearby store. Memmo Príncipe Real combines historical charm with contemporary luxury.
The service here is exceptional, with young, local personnel ready to help clients explore the city, making unexpected dinner bookings or shopping recommendations. Each morning, guests can take a guided 90-minute walking tour beginning in the stunning Príncipe Real gardens. Each room has a useful handbook that promotes local hidden gems off the beaten route. Outside, the terrace features a long, narrow, and oddly heated swimming pool bordered with green mosaics.
The 41 rooms, virtually all of which overlook the city, vary in size and shape but have a décor of wooden flooring topped with moss-green rugs and white linen beds with faux fur throws. Hand-blown glass bedside lights give a pleasant glow throughout the rooms.
A tray with the ingredients for a colonial drink greets your arrival, as does a Bang & Olufsen television on a big work desk. Some rooms include balconies or terraces, and two have outdoor fireplaces. Smooth, slatted-wood screens divide the bathrooms, which have enormous limestone basins with lit magnifying mirrors and sliding oak shelves. Premium Rooms include oval tubs and rain showers, while other rooms simply have rain showers, all with Hermés Eau d'Orange Verte amenities.
A tray with the ingredients for a colonial drink greets your arrival, as does a Bang & Olufsen television on a big work desk. Some rooms include balconies or terraces, and two have outdoor fireplaces. Smooth, slatted-wood screens divide the bathrooms, which have enormous limestone basins with lit magnifying mirrors and sliding oak shelves. Premium Rooms include oval tubs and rain showers, while other rooms simply have rain showers, all with Hermés Eau d'Orange Verte amenities.
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
Nestled in the Belém district, approximately four miles down the Tagus River from Lisbon's city centre, this hotel offers a compelling blend of contemporary design and historical enchantment. Belém is well-known for its landmark Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as its claim to fame as the birthplace of Lisbon's beloved custard tarts, which were first created by monks. Lisbon's airport is conveniently located about nine miles away on the opposite side of the city.
The hotel's remarkable modern architecture, featuring stark contrasts of black granite, white marble, and wire lace shutters, oozes luxury. Inside, beautiful white leather seats and black marble floors provide a polished elegance.
Each room is inspired by the ancient Portuguese colonies, with themed décor that depicts tropical landscapes or African wildlife. Guests can relax by the modest rooftop swimming pool, taking in panoramic views of the calm river below.
Service is excellent, with courteous staff providing useful suggestions on how to explore the area's many attractions. Guests can take lovely riverbank walks or participate in the hotel's escorted three-mile run on Saturdays. The B Spa by Karin Herzog provides a variety of rejuvenating treatments, including Oxygen Spa therapy and hammam experiences, as well as amenities like a big indoor pool and Vichy shower rooms.
Dining options are plentiful, with the Cafetaria Mensagem serving light meals and a superb breakfast buffet overlooking the river. The Bar 38⁰ 41' offers jazz nights and breathtaking sunset views, while the Michelin-starred Feitoria restaurant offers a gastronomic adventure inspired by the spices of Portugal's maritime expeditions.
Chef João Rodrigues creates magnificent dishes with local specialties such as scarlet prawns from the Algarve and Portuguese beef with truffles, providing a memorable dining experience that highlights the finest of Portuguese cuisine.
The One Palácio da Anunciada
This hotel, tucked away in a quiet, traditional Lisbon street just feet from Avenue de Liberdade, serves as an excellent base for city exploration, with Praça do Commercio a delightful 15-minute walk away. The airport is easily accessible within a 20-minute drive.
The hotel has been meticulously rebuilt with grandiose interiors that meld 16th-century elegance and modern luxury. Original marble floors and beautiful painted ceilings create an elegant atmosphere, which is enhanced by an inner courtyard with a century-old Dragon tree and a swimming pool overlooking Lisbon's rooftops.
The hotel offers great service and facilities, including three dining areas, a spa with a 24-hour gym and marble-clad plunge pool, and an outdoor pool with stunning city views. A business centre serves guests' professional needs.
Rooms and suites include bleached wood furniture, hand-painted ceramic plates, and Egyptian cotton linens. Most accommodations face private gardens, while top suites feature distinctive settings such as attics or towers, as well as complementary beverages carts. The bathrooms have rose pink marble floors and Natura Bissé products.
Enjoy a magnificent breakfast feast with an à la carte menu with continental delights and buffet options like smoked salmon and cheese soufflés. The main restaurant delivers sophisticated Iberian and Mediterranean cuisine, with standout dishes such caramelised duck tortellini and braised scallops with crispy Serrano ham. Light snacks and tapas are served at the wine bar and cocktail lounge.
Fortaleza do Guincho
Perched impressively on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this small fortress provides a spectacular refuge just 30 minutes from Lisbon. It's the perfect place for anyone looking for a thrilling embrace of nature, with smashing waves and whipping winds to wake up the senses. To the left is the breathtaking Guincho beach, known for its spectacular sunsets, while to the right is Cabo de Roca, Europe's westernmost point.
The Fortaleza, which was originally built in 1642 as a defensive fortress, has been meticulously renovated while keeping its ancient splendour. Behind its imposing façade, you'll find a mix of polished tiled floors, sparkling antiques, and exposed stone walls that surround a calm centre courtyard. The interior emanates warmth and hospitality, creating a peaceful contrast to the untamed ocean beyond.
Service is outstanding, with friendly smiles and careful assistance. Guests can enjoy a variety of water sports, including kite surfing and diving, as well as golf and tennis. Regular wine tastings are a great way to relax, and the hotel's friendly driver, Paulo, is available for excursions to Lisbon or leisurely shopping outings.
The 27 rooms and suites have been updated with a contemporary twist, offering a unique blend of historic heritage and modern amenities. The apartments have vaulted ceilings, tiled flooring, and silk canopies, with sea views adding to the mood. Whether in courtyard guestrooms or ocean-facing suites, guests can enjoy a comfortable escape amidst ancient elegance.
The restaurant, known for its Michelin-starred food, serves creative meals created by Chef Gil Fernandes. Specialties such as 'Cuttlefish Attack' and 'Squid from our Coast' tantalise the taste while embracing local flavours.
A diverse wine list, meticulously crafted by a trained sommelier, rounds out the dining experience. Breakfast includes a smorgasbord of pastries, fresh fruits, and delicious egg dishes prepared to request.
Corinthia Hotel Lisbon
The hotel is conveniently placed four miles from Lisbon Airport in the northwest area of the city, on a key avenue near the zoo. It's about a 10-minute walk from the Gulbenkian Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of ancient and modern art. Although not centrally positioned, the hotel's hillside location provides magnificent views of the city and the Águas Livres Aqueduct.
This hotel, part of the Corinthia brand, serves to both high-end business travellers and visitors, with the goal of providing luxurious accommodations in an efficient manner. Interior designers Goddard Littlefair recently remodelled the rooms and suites, which now have a palette of light blues, greys, and beiges and are filled with art from Lisbon.
Fresh flowers adorn public spaces, which glitter beneath twinkling chandeliers. The hotel's restaurants, Erva and the indoor-outdoor Soul Garden, provide a fresh, young, laid-back feel in what was once a more corporate setting.
Service is excellent, combining efficiency and real kindness. Access to the Executive Club on the 24th floor is offered with select suite bookings or for a fee and includes beverages throughout the day, speedy check-ins, and buffet breakfasts.
The expansive spa on the second level features an indoor pool, a well-equipped gym, and a water therapy circuit. Espa products are used in a variety of treatments, including facials and massage. The hotel has three restaurants, including the popular destination dining location Erva, as well as a diverse room service menu.
As Lisbon's largest five-star hotel, it provides a variety of room types to accommodate a wide range of needs. The six Maritime Suites, for example, have panoramic views of the aqueduct and a tiny office off the sitting area, making them perfect for extended visits. The recently renovated Superior and Deluxe rooms are bright and comfortable.
The restoration has modernised the building by adding USB connections and convenient electrical sockets. Marble bathrooms include double sinks, tropical rain showers, and, in many cases, huge, egg-shaped standalone tubs. Nespresso machines and Espa bath products scented with bergamot, jasmine, and cedarwood are among the in-room amenities.
Erva, located on the ground level with its own street entrance, has a comfortable, informal environment with old leather chairs, rustic wooden dining tables, and plant-filled walls.
The menu focuses on Portuguese cuisine, including starters like beef tartare and main dishes like octopus rice. Soul Garden, with its vast outside terrace, serves Asian and Latin American cuisine such as soft shell crab tacos, lamb bao buns, and chicken nasi goreng. The greatest DJs in town perform here from 5 p.m. till late, making it an ideal destination for early evening cocktails.
Buffet breakfasts are offered in the Olivae restaurant or on the outside patio in the summer, and include a variety of local pastries, fresh fruits, hams, and cheeses.
Conclusion
Lisbon is a beautiful and dynamic city with so much to offer. Culture, history, great restaurants and the most welcoming people are the reason people that visit end up coming back.
Being a destination that works for families, romantic getaways and even a fun friend's weekend choosing the right hotel for the occasion is very important. We can assure that your trip to Lisbon is going to be one for the books.
