And marvel from its rooms with views
** HOTEL VALVERDE , Boutique Hotel like in New York **
in the bustling Liberty Avenue we found the Hotel Valverde , (opened in September 2014 ), a true oasis of design that already tops the list of the most chic accommodation in the Portuguese capital. its director, Adelia Carvalho , effusively explains to us a project that begins with the total renovation of an emblematic building at the hands of the architects Jose Pedro Vieira and Diogo Rosa La and that seeks to revolutionize the way of understanding the hotel industry in Lisbon.
Bedrooms : 25 rooms, each of a different color and endowed with its own personality, in which we find vintage and contemporary notes . Highlights the Valverde Suite located on the sixth floor, overlooking the rooftops of Lisbon and the Castelo de São Jorge. Pay attention to your bathroom, where you won't be able to avoid the temptation to immerse yourself in his sublime bathtub.
Because we like it? For its urban and sophisticated air, for its pieces of art scattered here and there and that feeling of discreet comfort and luxury.
What you cannot miss: its themed dinners at its restaurant, Sitio Valverde, enlivened with fado (Tuesday and Saturday) or jazz (Thursday) . Highly recommended is the ** Sunday brunch ** accompanied by jazz and bossa nova.
a plus : its urban playground with designer furniture and swimming pool that could be perfectly in the middle of New York's Soho.
The director's note : their fantastic **tea service** whose pieces are for sale.
Perfect for : executives traveling on business and couples in chic weekend.
Where? In the Liberty Avenue , the most stately and monumental artery of the city and one step away from the most touristic areas. _(Av. da Liberdade, 164. 1250-146 Lisbon) _.
Valverde Hotel Suite
** SANTIAGO DE ALFAMA, true crush **
“Lisbon is an old lady who needs new clothes” Heleen Rosa da Silva, a Dutch woman who has lived in the Portuguese capital for years, tells us in perfect Portuguese. The hotel Santiago de Alfama, opened in July last year , is her small contribution to the city's 'wardrobe' and the way to show the same passion that she feels for her decadent beauty.
Bedrooms: 19 rooms each different but all bathed by the contours of the Tagus River . The decoration is approached in a simple and elegant way: comfortable pieces, Light colors that reflect the infinite shades of the Atlantic light that pours in through the large windows. Each room surprises us with a unexpected detail : a vertical garden by Luis Rebelo de Andrade, a splendid bathtub overturned on the blue of the river…
Because we like it? For being him most romantic hotel in Lisbon , for the sensation of being in another universe and for the infinity of unpredictable details such as the Roman staircase in one of the corridors.
What you can't miss : the small almost hidden terrace , perfect for a private dinner, to believe in romance again or simply reconcile with the world.
a plus : its A Fabrica de Santiago restaurant, Portuguese food with exotic touches of the gastronomy of the former Portuguese colonies by the hand of the Chef Carlos Robalo . Presentation full of details and very fresh product.
The note of the owner : scrutinize from the window the unbeatable spectacle of the ships arriving at port at dawn.
Perfect for : couples, families, bohemians looking for inspiration or simply all those who appreciate beauty.
Where? In the amalgamation of streets of the Alfama neighborhood. (Santiago Street 10 to 14).
A desire? Sleep in the hotel Santiago de Alfama
** BELMONTE PALACE, National Heritage **
Frederic Coustols, an eccentric modern patron, arrived in Lisbon in 1994. “Please”, he told the taxi driver, "Take me to the most imposing building that needs to be restored" . The driver did not hesitate to leave him at the door of the Belmonte Palace , a property of more than 3000 m2 that belonged to Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil. Ten years and 28 million euros later, the Palacio Belmonte was ready to welcome its first visitors.
Bedrooms: only 10 rooms decorated by Frederic himself and his wife, Maria Mendoça, a Portuguese plastic artist. Antiques and pieces of various styles for a eclectic decor where noble materials and Respectful towards the environment . Showers are rare in bathrooms, “here we 'force' our guests to do things they don't normally do at home, such as give yourself the pleasure of taking a bath” Mary tells us.
The jewel of the house is the father himalayan room, built on top of a Roman tower, and whose 360 degree views of the city they will leave you speechless.
Because we like it? For its history of glory and splendor, for its atmosphere of decadent beauty so Portuguese, for its awesome visits and because, it must be said, he is the quirkier luxury hotel from Lisbon.
What you can't miss : its literary coffee with its bohemian atmosphere and its piano.
details that impress : the nothing more and nothing less than 30,000 tiles from the 18th century spread over 59 panels, the work of two great masters of Portuguese tilework. The tiles fell off over the years and were replaced in the wrong way, in such a way that it took more than two years to put them back together properly . One of the panels was left in the state in which it was found to show the visitor the neatness of the task.
Perfect for : those who do not like hotels, hate plasma televisions or chocolate on the pillow and look for a completely unique and different experience . The best illustrious characters of the artistic and literary universe are its regular guests and although we have sworn and perjured not to reveal names, here is one, Jeremy Irons.
Where? Next to the Castelo de São Jorge, in Alfama. (Courtyard of Dom Fradique, 14) .
Travel back in time at Palacio Belmonte
** MEMMO HOTEL ALFAMA, design, tradition and views**
"We are not in the dream industry but in making people dream" , is the inspiring manifesto of Rodrigo Machaz , the creator of the Memmo Hotels flagship, which opened its first hotel in 2007, in Sagres . In 2013, this entrepreneur, with hotel blood in his veins, opened the Memmo Hotel in Alfama, the first boutique hotel in the capital located in this area.
Bedrooms : 42 rooms overlooking the Tagus River and the traditional and picturesque Alfama neighborhood . Clean contemporary style with designer touches like the smeg fridges.
Because we like it? for their so portuguese details such as the hygiene products in the bathrooms and the ** wine list in the bar**, for its perfect integration in the traditional Alfama neighborhood, for its eagerness to help us get to know the unprecedented in the city... And because, let's face it, drink a good wine in that dream terrace It is a unique experience.
a plus : the so-called Lisbon story, a comfortable room where you can find all the information possible to explore all nooks and crannies of the city.
An essential detail , the work done in the facade by the most international street art artist from Portugal, vhils , based on a unique technique that has made him famous throughout the world.
Perfect for : those who seek authenticity without sacrificing design and comfort.
Where? Next to the Castelo de São Jorge, in Alfama. _(Merceeiras Crossing, 27) _.
Dawn with Alfama at your feet
** PALACETE CHAFARIZ D'EL REI, a micro hotel with neo-Moorish architecture**
Today is one of the most interesting buildings in the city , but the truth is that the history of this beautiful neo-Moorish-style palace did not start very well: at the end of the 19th century, Joao Antonio Santos , a businessman who made a great fortune in Brazil , decided to build himself a opulent mansion in Lisbon . Due to its architectural rarity at the time, the result astonished locals and strangers alike and was described by the city chamber as a real horror . To top it off, the rich merchant's wife she refused to live in the mansion alleging the inconvenience of her access. Result, the poor man never got to live in the house of his dreams and the palace ended up becoming the Headquarters of various commercial companies . The years passed until a couple passionate about history decided to restore all its splendor turning it into a boutique hotel.
Bedrooms : only six suites with unique views over the river . Lavish decoration. Highlights the Grand Torreao Suite whose terrace is the perfect setting for a breakfast with one of the best views of Lisbon.
Because we like it? because it is a hard to find little gem in the amalgamation of narrow streets of Alfama, for its extraordinary colorful stained glass at the entrance and for its ultra personalized service.
What you can't miss : Your Sunday Brunch at the Magnificent Cha Hall It has become one of the favorites of the Lisbon people. Safety pin.
a plus : the terrace where you have the feeling of sneaking into the past, perfect to let time go by.
Perfect for : treasure hunters and couples
Where? On a very steep street in the Alfama neighborhood. _(Travesía do Chafariz de El-Rei, 6) _.
Little jewels that brighten up trips
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Details that make you return to a hotel
- Lisbon steps strong: a walk through its most seductive corners
- Design hotels in Portugal
- The most beautiful villages in southern Portugal (and islands)
- The most beautiful villages in the north of Portugal
- The wild west: these are the new emerging neighborhoods of Lisbon
- The nine sites that devastate Lisbon
- Have breakfast in Lisbon
- Lisbon Guide
- All articles by Ana Díaz-Cano