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The top hotels in Lisbon

2023-02-27  Diana Solomon

Where to stay in Lisbon, from hipster-friendly boutique hotels to timeless favorites

Lisbon is the location of some of the most stunning streets, popular eateries, and top hotels today. Travelers have flocked to the city in the past decade for its beauty, culture, and entertainment. The best addresses are spread all around the city, ranging from those whose USP is their position to those that are a little more focused on moving slowly.

Lisbon's artistic culture is thriving more than ever, whether your goal is to pack as much as you can into 72 hours or take your time to explore lesser-known areas of the city away from the masses. It is our list of the top hotels in Lisbon, including the most recent openings and renovated accommodations, in no particular order. See our list of the top Airbnbs in Lisbon for a private stay.

A list of the top hotels in Lisbon for 2023:

  • Most suitable for location: The Ivens
  • The best for luxury: Sublime Lisboa
  • Best affordable stay: Hotel 1908
  • Corinthia Hotel is best for families

What area in Lisbon is the greatest for lodging?

In Bairro Alto, a delightful and energetic bohemian neighborhood with cobblestone lanes and vividly colored homes, are some of our favorite addresses. The best place to stay while exploring the city's culinary and nightlife scene is here. We adore The Ivens because it is right in the middle of everything while still seeming like a secret haven. The Bairro Alto Hotel, which is close by, is well-known for having one of Lisbon's greatest outdoor eating establishments, BAHR. One of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods, Alfama, is another fantastic region. Here, serpentine roads are fronted by exquisitely tiled palaces and sprinkled with shaded squares populated with fragrant orange trees. Hotels Memmo Alfama and Santiago de Alfama are also located there.

A Chiado

1. Alma-Lusa Baixa/Chiado

For some historical context

AlmaLusa, or the "Portuguese spirit," is a boutique hotel located in the center of Bairro Alto, directly across from City Hall, and in the tranquil Municipal Plaza of Lisbon. Many of the structure was constructed in the 18th century when their bottom level served as the active stables. As a reference to it, the décor is earthy with exposed iron girders, raw, partially stone walls, and ceilings, brushed brown leather, weathered wood, and Moroccan-style embroidered couches.

The shapes of the rooms vary; ours was incredibly long. All of the finishes are stylish and occasionally goofy, with a huge bed and canvas armchair as well as a Moorish mirrored chest of drawers and stylish bookshelf decor. Ask for a room with a view of the plaza since those shuttered windows are the best ones.

Sit outside in the plaza at least once while you're there, whether at one of the outdoor tables at the deli-restaurant Delfina or at the pavilion café right in front, which sells pitas and ice cream for surprisingly low prices (and to which the hotel Wi-Fi usefully extends). Rebecca Lucas

Double rooms start at £115.

Lisbon, Portugal's Praça do Municpio n.o. 21, 1100-365

B Lumiares

2. The Lumiares

For grandeur

The Lumiares is a home away from home in Bairro Alto, a bohemian neighborhood with restaurants, pubs, and nightlife. The hotel's architecture, which incorporates contributions from regional artists and manufacturers, pays respect to Lisbon's colors, patterns, and light. The building was formerly a dilapidated 17th-century mansion. From the modern reception area to the relaxing spa treatment rooms, every detail of the design has been well thought out and done perfectly.

The accommodations range from self-contained apartments with a fully functional kitchen to Mezzanine rooms with two stories and rooftop suites with balconies offering expansive city views. Each has a distinct Portuguese elegance and is made to feel cozy and individual. Judith Malbon

Doubles start at £207

Address: 1200-146 Lisbon, Portugal, R. do Diário de Notcias 142

C Memmo Alfama

3. Memmo Alfama

About the rooftop pool

42 rooms make up this hotel, which is located in the city's historic district and was previously a shoe factory. Interior design focuses on textures; everything is aesthetically pleasing, from thick stone walls to rustic blankets and wooden bed frames. The terrace steals the show here; the pool's red tile instantly grabs your attention. The traditional view of Lisbon's meandering alleys and vibrant buildings will dazzle you if you look beyond it, making this the perfect place to sip a sundowner.

Cost: Doubles start at around £148.

Address: Tv. Merceeiras 27, Lisbon, Portugal, 1100-348

D Francisco Nogueira

4. The Ivens

Included among the top new hotels in the globe on our 2022 Hot List

The Ivens is based on the trip of Ivens and Capelo, two 19th-century Portuguese explorers who traveled to Africa. It is like an oasis that is tucked away in the city (but not hidden from it). Tropical plants, parrots, macaws, beetles, velvet sofas, and golden accents greet you as soon as you enter the room. With color hints in the wallpaper and carpets, the 87 rooms relate to flora and wildlife. The on-site restaurant, Rocco, is already one of the hot spots in Lisbon right now, with creatives, artists, and bohemians filling it up every day. Moralejo, David

Doubles start at £364.

Postal Code: 1200-224 Lisbon, Portugal, R. Capelo 5

E Luis Ferraz

5. Hotel 1908

For a budget-friendly stay

The seafood paradise Cervejaria Ramiro, probably one of Lisbon's top restaurants, is directly across the street from Hotel 1908. This hidden gem is housed in a beautifully majestic 20th-century building in a part of Lisbon that is popular with both locals and tourists. You'll recognize the hotel as one of the most striking structures in the city the moment you lay eyes on it (without the grand price – this is arguably one of the nicest cheap hotels in Lisbon). The home now pays homage to Portuguese artists inside, with artworks weaved into the original nooks and crannies of the building, having been reopened in 2019 after years of neglect. A warm green and purple color scheme, black face towels designed expressly for removing makeup, and attentive care from staff members who remember your name and greet you cordially are just a few of the minor elements that make this hotel special.

The hotel's accommodations are as distinctive; for example, the "Square Rooms" provide a view of the bustling Largo do Intendente, while the "Attic Rooms" are a group of three rooms with a private lobby that may be reserved individually or collectively. The main suite with a ton of room and access to the hotel's iconic dome is "The King of Dome," the crown treasure if you're ready to spend extra. It makes for a truly memorable visit.

Cost: Doubles start at £104

Contact information: Largo do Intendente Pina Manique No 6, 1100-285 Lisbon

F Vintage Lisbon

6. The Classic Lisbon

Inanely amusing

It only makes sense to embrace Lisbon's love of all things beautiful while there, and The Vintage achieves this brilliantly with its eclectic collection of one-of-a-kind artwork and stylish mid-century design. The one-of-a-kind boutique hotel has 56 rooms and three suites, all of which have a vintage bar cart where guests can mix their free gin and tonics, and most of which have city views. The V Rooftop Bar stands out from the (vigorous) competition in Lisbon despite the city's many rooftop bars owing to its suspended vertical garden and LA-like ambiance. Judith Malbon

Doubles start at £152.

Postal Code: 1200-224 Lisbon, Portugal, R. Capelo 5

G Matthew Buck

7. The Valverde Hotel

Inspiration for interior design

The Hotel Valverde intentionally mixes things up with soft linens, antique and modern artwork, and refurbished mid-century modern furniture. Instead of having sunlight on the roof, as is more common for Lisbon, it is by the pool and patio. It is dark, quiet, and discrete, yet cheerful and unpretentious.

Elegant furnishings, including paintings and antiques, give the rooms an opulent ambiance. After a long day of exploring, luxurious velvet seats and roll-top bathtubs provide the utmost relaxation. Thomas Buck

Doubles start at £253.

Av. da Liberdade 164, Lisbon, Portugal 1250-146

H Palácio Ramalhete

8. Palacio Ramalhete

For a lavish vacation

One of the numerous tiny converted palácios in the city is Palácio Ramalhete, which is located next to the National Museum of Antiquities. It is spotless, has an unexpected patio with lush vegetation, and is full of pleasant surprises, like hand-painted Portuguese tiles and an ancient kitchen that has been turned into a bedroom.

The addition of a pool to a city getaway isn't always essential, but it's frequently appreciated, and guests who choose to stay in the pool suite will have access to a private balcony from which to enjoy some peace above the meandering streets. Thomas Buck

Doubles start at £166.

R. das Janelas Verdes 92, Lisbon, Portugal 1200-692

I Matthew Buck

9. Pestana Palace

For a different viewpoint

Once a little out of the way, Pestana Palace is now close to the bustling LX Market and Village Underground, two cultural hotspots with bars, boutiques, and more that should not be missed while visiting Lisbon. The MAAT Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology is located in the adjacent Belém district, which is well worth seeing and is where you can get some of Lisbon's best pasties de nata.

The hotel includes a gorgeous outdoor pool, making it a great choice throughout the summer when the temperature creeps up to 35 degrees. Both the city view and the garden view from the rooms are great. Thomas Buck

Doubles start at £188.

R. Jau 54, Lisboa, Portugal, 1300-314

J Bairro Alto Hotel

10. Hotel Bairro Alto

For a busy environment

Lisbon's boutique hotel culture had its beginnings with the Bairro Alto Hotel. The recognizable yellow structure, which is situated in Lisbon's busiest neighborhood, is a symbol of outdoor eating, trams passing by, and both inhabitants and visitors soaking up the ambiance of the city. Fortunately, the hotel is soundproof, allowing you to enjoy the ambiance while still getting a decent night's sleep.

Each room is unique, but if you have a choice, request room 401. It's not the largest, but it has an odd sort of Lisbon feng shui that somehow just makes it appropriate.

Doubles start at $227.

Address: 1200-243 Lisbon, Portugal, Praça Luis de Cames 2

K RICARDO_SANTOS

11. Elegant Lisbon

For comfortable luxury

The debut of Sublime Comporta in Lisbon in the first half of summer 2022 was greatly anticipated since it has long been one of the most talked-about hotels in Portugal. The company set out to design an urban equivalent of their Alentejo getaway, and it has succeeded where many other properties have fallen short in transforming a 20th-century mansion structure into a home away from home. The success of this establishment lies in the small details, such as the pastel de natas and a bottle of ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) that greet you in your room, the warm greeting you receive from the reception staff as you enter the structure, the countless design books and magazines strewn throughout the hotel, and the slightly wonky staircases that still exude their decade-old charm.

That is not to mean that your stay at Sublime won't be luxurious. It seems like the palace you imagined having as a child, with plush mattresses you'll be sleeping for hours, baths larger than most en-suites, and ceilings so high you practically hear an echo. Even supper is a special occasion in lovely settings at the hotel's Italian restaurant, Davvero. Be sure to round off the evening with a glass of Sublime's Moscato before retiring to your princess suite.

Cost: Double rooms begin at $260.

R. Marques de Subserra 10, Lisboa, Portugal 1070-012

L Caita Barbosa

12. Santiago de Alfama

For love

Christopher Columbus got married on the cobblestone street where Santiago de Alfama is situated, and the historic neighborhood is brimming with beauty and romance. The hotel feels authentically Portuguese, with ancient conserved walls brought back to life and tiled flooring proudly on show, and offers stunning views of the city and the river.

Only five suites and fourteen guestrooms, all tastefully decorated in white and blue, make up the small, family-run hotel.

Doubles start at £189.

R. de Santiago 12, Lisbon, Portugal, 1100-494

M  LX Boutique Hotel

13. LX Boutique Hotel

For a taste of the local life

It is well situated for people who wish to be in the heart of Lisbon's pulsating environment because it is located in the trendy Cais do Sodré, formerly the red-light area and now bursting with chic pubs and clubs. The five themed levels in the 18th-century powder-blue structure showcase various facets of the city. For example, the fado floor's walls are covered in guitars, while the floor designated after the poet Fernando Pessoa features shelves full of books. The 61 rooms include iPod docks, clothing rails (no cabinets), and showers. They are practical but entertaining (but no baths).

The hotel's Confraria restaurant, which is a branch of the well-known eatery in neighboring Cascais, offers a fantastic range of sushi and sashimi, temaki, and nigiri; the house collection of 30 bite-sized dishes is culinary gold.

LX Boutique Hotel is located at 12 Rua do Alecrim in Lisbon, Portugal.

Doubles start at £76.

N Corinthia Hotel

15. Corinthia Hotel

For tried-and-true luxury

Lisbon's largest five-star hotel punctures the city skyline and looks out over the lovely 18th-century aqueduct. It is perfectly located in the business sector and close to the famous Gulbenkian Museum with its outstanding collection of art. Elegantly expansive rooms have a combination of marble, wood, gold, and chandeliers.

Rich browns and golds are used throughout the 518 luxurious rooms and suites, and ESPA products are prominent in the modestly sized marble baths. There are also family rooms with two bedrooms and two bathrooms where children are given amenity packs, miniature bathrobes, and slippers. From the front desk through housekeeping, the hotel provides what is possibly the most effective service in Lisbon.

Doubles start at £139.

Address: Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Corinthia Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal

O Matthew Buck

15. Pousada de Lisboa

For a central location

Pousada de Lisbon is an outstanding adaptation of a massive Pombaline pile on the Praça do Comércio. The Baixa's position, adjacent to the major tourist sites and immediately next to the River Tagus, is unbeatable, and the rooms with the best views are those closest to the plaza. This dependable hotel puts you in the heart of all Lisbon has to offer with a modest design and a classic restaurant. Thomas Buck

Doubles start at $260.

Address: Praça do Comércio 31-34, 1100-148, Lisbon, Portugal, Pousada de Lisboa

P Francisco Nogueira

16. Lisbon's Palácio Principe Real

Indian Runner ducks may not be the bird that comes to mind when picturing Lisbon's lush Principe Real, where towering palm trees play hide-and-seek with worn-out palaces, yet they are abundant at this gorgeously pink Palácio. The aptly called Duck Bar has a few of them sitting on the bar, another one is stamped in gold on your leather key card holder, and there are even a few wrought into the iron railings of the substantial balconies. According to British owners Miles and Gail Curley, who spent some time in Singapore before residing in Madrid for a long time, they picked them as their emblem since they are Asian like us. They decided to go from the law to hospitality after falling in love with this 19th-century castle during a trip to Lisbon.

The challenge of renovating and refurbishing 28 bedrooms in her taste was one that Gail eagerly accepted. By preserving vintage blue and white tiles and even the vibrant Moorish stucco work ceiling that graces one of the bedrooms, the castle pays proper homage to its Portuguese background. Nonetheless, these are topped with English accents, such as the Dyson hairdryers and large standalone bathtubs from Drummonds. Bathrooms have heated flooring and Byredo amenities and are finished with the local limestone, which is a barley color. Nespresso machines, pink pepper candles made with locally obtained pink pepper, and minibars with ginger health shots are all included in the bedrooms. But, there is a pervasive generosity that permeates everything: of time, of space, and of Gail and Miles's (Miles took me to the station when my Uber didn't show up; he packed his towering figure into his ancient Renault 4 runabout). Before spending the rest of the day lazing by the enormous pool under a clear Lisbon sky, have breakfast on the lovely grounds beneath the shade of the Jacaranda tree while enjoying a poached egg on toasted bread.

Double rooms start at €350, including breakfast.

Address: R. de So Marçal 77, Lisboa, Portugal, 1200-419

Q NELSON GARRIDO

17. Palacio Ludovice

This convenient motel checks practically all the boxes. It's unlikely that you'll find a finer site than this one, which is situated between Principe Real and Bairro Alto with what is perhaps one of the greatest views in the city (from the Miradouro de So Pedro de Alcântara across the street). Its exterior is the pinnacle of Lisbon's sights—impressive and exuberantly yellow. Nevertheless, indoors is where you'll start to see the city's signature blend of old and new. The edifice, which was formerly Joo Frederico Ludovice's private palace, served as the model for the city's reconstruction following the Great Earthquake that devastated most of Lisbon in 1755. Joo Frederico Ludovice arrived in Lisbon at the beginning of the 18th century as King Joo V's architect. Since then, it has lived many different lives, first as a commercial district with houses and businesses, then as the location of the Solar do Vinho does Porto, a bar that offered more than 200 port wines.

Palacio Ludovice honors its vibrant heritage in its present form. The 61 rooms and suites have sumptuously comfy mattresses, custom furnishings, and authentic hand-painted tiles. The 18th-century tiles, paintings, and stucco ceilings have all been restored. The restaurant's extensive, personally curated menu, which features wines from every wine region in Portugal, pays homage to the building's previous life as a wine bar. Guests interested in learning more about Portuguese wine are also invited to join the hotel's knowledgeable sommelier for free daily tasting sessions. Even the Caudalie Boutique spa is based on Vinothérapie. Guests can use the crushed cabernet scrub to shape their bodies or get facials with grape-infused products that leave their skin glowing and feeling clean. And while the surrounding Lisbon eateries are well worth a visit, we strongly suggest dining at the FEDERICO restaurant at Palacio Ludovice. It's probably one of the most beautiful locations to eat in the city because of its light-filled interior courtyard.

Price: Doubles begin at $233.

Postal Code: 1250-237 Lisbon, Portugal, R. de S. Pedro de Alcântara 39

R Muse&Makers

18. Santa Clara, 1728

To change things up

Santa Clara 1728 provides something a little unique from other places. This six-bedroom home in Lisbon's old cultural district, perched atop one of the city's seven hills, achieves what many properties promise but fail to deliver: to feel like a home away from home. Unlike the numerous converted palaces or even charming townhouses found in the old town, it removes the feeling of being a traveler in a foreign city.

The interior design of the rooms is simple. From the open-plan bathtub carved out of a single piece of limestone to the straightforward (but oh-so-comfortable) beds, it's what so many try to create but most can't quite pull off: hospitality.

Doubles start at £676.

In Lisbon, Portugal, in Campo de Santa Clara, 128 1100-473

Read about The best hotels in Lisbon at the lowest prices here.


2023-02-27  Diana Solomon