Lisbon : Sleep
Although there are plenty of hotels in Lisbon, only a handful are of a really discernable quality. However, in the past two years many of the big chain hotels have invested in large-scale improvements, elevating their status beyond the city standard. Two prime examples are the Fenix and Meridian, whose style-friendly face-lifts have merited their inclusion in this book.Most multi-storey hotels can be found around the Avenida da Liberdade, a short stroll from Lisbon’s designer boutiques. Many can be impersonal, but guarantee a reliable range of facilities. The Four Seasons Ritz and NH Liberdade are the best hotels along this stretch.
More characteristic hotels can be found further afield in wealthy Lapa or contemplative Castelo. Those in search of regal surroundings can choose from several hotels housed within former palace walls (Lapa Palace, Carlton Pestana Palace, Hotel Real Palácio, Belmonte and Avenida Palace). Currently regarded as the city’s top hotel, the Carlton Pestana Palace is easily the most impressive. The wonderfully landscaped Lapa Palace comes a close second. If you’ve got money to burn and an appetite for the obscure, the Belmonte comes highly recommended. A cheaper but equally unique alternative just down the road is Solar dos Mouros. An entirely different experience can be had at the Quinta Nova da Conceição, an 18th-century country guesthouse north of the city in Benfica.
One chain to look out for is the family-run Hoteis Heritage, which looks after As Janelas Verdes, Hotel Britania, Hotel Lisboa Plaza and Solar do Castelo. These hotels each possess their own welcoming charm and are of a consistently high quality. Guests are encouraged to use a self-service bar, which is a trusting (but dangerous) touch. The Lisboa Regency Chiado and Lisboa Tejo represent a new wave of design hotels and combine a convenient location with good taste.
All hotels included in this section have their own bathrooms, and prices quoted range from a single in low season to a suite in high season. Many chains often have seasonal deals, so it’s worth checking ahead. A good proportion of hotels also provide twin beds in place of doubles – apparently in response to a demand from the northern European market.
