"Housed in an 18th-century building on the Praça do Município, the site of Lisbon’s City Hall, AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado has just 28 rooms and suites defined by plush beds, a muted color scheme of whites, grays and browns, and views either of the elegant square or an inner patio. But thoughtful room amenities—among them a pillow menu and complimentary 4G smartphones loaded with the hotel’s app for recommendations, booking taxis, and more—give the impression of a much larger property. Plus, the concierge goes out of its way to help guests explore what Lisbon has to offer, from providing a running expert to help navigate street routes to arranging tile-painting lessons, surfing instruction, and even dolphin-watching excursions. Need some pampering after all of that activity? In-room massage treatments are also available."

"Those looking for space, privacy, and a wallop of streamlined design in Lisbon need look no further. Situated near several museums in the elegant Chiado neighborhood, the 10 apartments range in proportion from an amply-sized 710-square-foot studio to a sprawling 1,290-square-foot two-bedroom duplex with terrace, all with fully-equipped kitchens. What’s more, Ricardo Flora, whose family has owned the property since the early 20th century, expertly repurposes original detailing into a thoroughly modern aesthetic: in one apartment, old floor boards have been turned into a bookcase, with Tom Dixon lighting providing a contemporary backdrop. And despite its name, there’s more on offer than just a self-catering stay. Haute dishes from the one-Michelin starred restaurant, Alma, can be ferried up to you, and personalized tours, whether in Lisbon or outside the city, are just a phone call away."

"Steps away from boutique-lined Avenida da Liberdade, PortoBay Liberdadeis an urbane yet unstuffy boutique hotel designed by Lisbon-native architect Frederico Valsassina, who carefully preserved the building’s historic facade while incorporating stylish details throughout. The 98 rooms are refuges from the frenetic energy of the street beyond the hotel’s doors with creamy color schemes, billowing curtains, and smart TVs for winding down after a day spent seeing the sights. The rooftop iskitted outwith plush wicker furniture, crisp white umbrellas, and wood decking,creating acomfortable scene that doesn’tcompete withcity views. Stop by the hotel bar, Deck7, for traditional Portuguesecuisine (the staff recommends the Prego, a beef sandwich served on bolo do caco ) and a glass of local wine."

"The first property in Lisbon’s Memmo chain of boutique hotels, Memmo Alfama set the tone when it opened in 2013, with 42 rooms outfitted in crisp, clean-lined furnishings and a neutral color scheme of warm whites and beiges. Like its sister property Memmo Príncipe Real, the terrace offers an eye-catcher of a pool—this one lined in red tiles inspired by the rooftops it overlooks—with sweeping views of the River Tagus. While there’s no real restaurant per se, breakfast is served on a communal table in the light-filled, ground floor “Living Room,” while an array of tapas (ham croquettes, sauteed shrimp) and heftier sandwiches (salmon burger with fennel, fillet steak in pão do caco bread) can be had at the outdoor wine bar. Just be sure you’ve got a babysitter on speed dial: the adults-only property is reserved for guests over the age of 16."

"Accessed through a tiny passage in the Príncipe Real, an upscale residential neighborhood filled with centuries-old mansions and tranquil gardens, this 41-room property feels akin to a secret hideaway. Embodying modern Lisbon, rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary decor like sleek metal consoles and soft faux-fur throws in neutral white, gray, and beige tones, and blond slatted-wood partitions separate sleeping areas from bathrooms stocked with Hermès toiletries. Other posh amenities include cocktail stations and, in some rooms, private balconies with outdoor fireplaces. But the hotel’s most magnificent luxury of all may be its terrace, which is dominated by a narrow outdoor pool that’s heated all year long, fabulously lit up at night, and perched on a hillside for sublime city views."

"Why we love it: A historic property with fascinating details, gorgeous tiles, and breathtaking views The Highlights: - Stunning views of the waterfront from every suite - A serene pool terrace in the palace gardens - A central location with none of the street noise The Review: Comprised of just 10 suites with distinctly different designs, Palácio Belmonte feels more like a dream vacation home than a hotel. The vibe is spot on, given the backstory: A Frenchman traveled to Lisbon looking for a vacation home in the Portuguese capital. He first saw the building from a taxi and thought to himself, “It has nine windows, just like my home in France. I’ll buy it.” It wasn’t until after purchasing the property that he actually set foot inside and saw just how enormous it was—far too large for him and his family. Thus, he set about remodeling the building (which was originally owned by a noble family in the 1400s) with the notion of converting it into a space for visitors. When the property opened as Palácio Belmonte, special care was taken to make as few changes as possible—to this day, there are no elevators, but instead a labyrinth of stone staircases. There is also no air conditioning, but the entire building stays cool due to the abundance of stone, tile, and marble surfaces, as well as a cross-hatch window ventilation system borrowed from Morocco tradition. A few things were added, however, including personal terraces and heated floors in the guest rooms, and a glimmering turquoise pool surrounded by a vibrant garden full of bougainvilleas. The hotel owner also partnered with two French chefs to open a bistro right across from the hotel entrance to ensure that guests would have a casual yet high-quality dining option in an area that’s otherwise lacking in authentic cuisine."

"Palácio Ramalhete has the soul of a historic property—Manuel II, Portugal’s last king, and Britain’s Duke of Windsor were once guests—without any of the attendant stuffiness. Situated in an 18th-century palace on the Rua das Janelas Verdes,each of the 16 accommodations has its own unique character. The Oak Suite, for instance, features handsome wood wall paneling with an ornate carved-stucco ceiling, while the spacious Dove Room, which occupies the palace’s former chapel, is lined with original hand-painted blue-and-white azulejos (ceramic tiles). There are three tiered internal courtyards, the highest of which has a small heated outdoor pool with a massive palm tree for shade and River Tagus views in the distance. Art lovers, take note: Just opposite the hotel is the National Museum of Ancient Art, filled with important Portuguese works that include Nuno Gonçalves’s Panels of St. Vincent."

"About a 20-minute cab ride from the historic city center, Pestana Palace Lisboa in Santo Amaro bears a unique honor: it’s a designated national landmark. The 194-room property occupies a carefully restored 19th-century manor that once belonged to the cocoa baron Marquis of Valle-Flôr and is set in an immaculately manicured private park filled with lush palm trees, subtropical plants, sculptures, and a former pond-turned-swimming pool. Lavish architectural details such as ornate ceiling frescoes, soaring stained-glass windows, gleaming marble columns, and intricately carved woodwork combine with magnificent oil canvases, glittering chandeliers, and garlanded mirrors to give the air of a gilded cocoon. Four sprawling Royal Suites—one of which reportedly hosted Madonna as recently as 2017—are within the palace itself, while smaller, elegantly furnished rooms are located in two modern annexes."

"The Pestana Hotel Group has a knack for turning historical properties into luxe hotels; the Pousada de Lisboa is no exception. Situated on Lisbon’s grandest square, the Praça do Comércio, the 90-room property inhabits the elegant former home of the Ministry of Internal Administration. Furnishings combine clean, modern lines with ornate wall moulding and a neutral color scheme dominated by pale greens and whites. Choose one of the mezzanine rooms for views of São Jorge Castle; the high-ceilinged Suite Praça do Comércio offers sweeping vistas of the square and River Tagus from two large windows. The hotel’s RIB Beef & Wine restaurant caters to the expense account crowd, specializing in premium cuts of meat aged for 14, 28, or 60 days and served with a regional touch: Lodosa piquillo peppers. There’s also an indoor pool lined with loungers, and a spa offering a full range of treatments, including a body scrub inspired by the scents of Madeira and the Algarve."

"Santiago de Alfama Lisbon’s oldest district is known for its labyrinth of narrow streets, abundant Fado bars, and numerous historical attractions. Opened in 2015, the Santiago de Alfama is a draw in its own right: It occupies a former 15th-century palace just below São Jorge Castle and offers 19 accommodations withviews of the River Tagus or courtyard garden, as well as unique configurations, including interconnecting bedrooms that would be ideal for families. Most combine traditional features such as wood-paneled ceilings and intricate cornices with modern comforts like rainshowers and bespoke linens. The property also has the amenities of a larger hotel, from a spa and meeting space to two restaurants (be sure to linger over petiscos and Portuguese specialties like oven-roasted cabrito at Manny’s Bar),yet with so few guests rooms, the staff will always know your name."

"When it launched in 2011, the Independente Hostel & Suites epitomized the splashy haute boarding house movement that swept across Europe in the last two decades; this grown-up successor is situated just next door. Instead of towering triple bunk beds and communal baths, expect 18 large private rooms with en-suite lavatories (think luxe rain showerheads and walk-in glass stalls). But it hasn’t entirely lost the bohemian spirit of the original: rooms are adorned with old maps, vintage writing desks, and funky artwork. On the rooftop terrace, Insólito offers inspired Portuguese dishes—salt-cod confit with green apple, for instance—matched with sweeping views of the River Tagus. Another plus: the property’s privileged location opposite the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint, just a few minutes’ walk from Rossio Square."

"Why we love it: A high-design hotel that merges Old World Lisbon with the modern traveler’s needs The Highlights: - Suites that feel more like elegant apartments than hotel rooms - Natural light and intricately restored ceiling art in event spaces - Exceptional spa facilities and products The Review: The second property from H10 offers an oasis amid Lisbon’s bustling city center. Situated on a cobblestone street just off the main avenue, the former palace is a short walk from restaurants, cafes, and Bairro Alto nightlife, yet avoids the clamour that normally comes with such a convenient location. When revamping the hotel interior during construction, designers and architects preserved as much of the original structure as possible while adding sleek modern touches. Case in point: Upon entering the lobby, guests will see a magnificent marble staircase ahead and an understated library with wireframe bookshelves to the right. Event spaces such as the board room feature intricate crown moldings and ceiling art reminiscent of the classical period, plus large windows that flood the rooms with natural light. The suites themselves are designed with comfort and intimacy in mind. Custom hand-painted china decorates the walls, while gentle lighting and soft edges abound in the bedrooms, lending a spa-like feel. The actual spa—stocked with renowned Natura Bisse products—can be found on the perimeter of the hotel’s idyllic courtyard and gardens. Book an appointment for a luxurious massage or facial, or simply soak in the heated pool. Above the indoor pool is an enormous skylight that adds to the motif of natural light throughout the property. Also on the edge of the courtyard is O Jardim Wine Bar, an upscale restaurant that serves contemporary twists on classic Portuguese dishes. Start dinner with white port, then choose your next glass from a long list of Portuguese and French wines, and don’t miss the braised scallops starter, served on a bed of buckwheat with finely diced Serrano ham, caviar, and pea purée."

"Opened in 2014 on Lisbon’s grandest boulevard, the tree-linedAvenida da Liberdade, Hotel Valverde has the look and feel of a private—if elegantly bohemian—residence. Each of its 25 dramatically painted rooms and suites is uniquely furnished with plush drapery, vintage artwork, and vibrantly patterned area rugs atop herringbone wooden floors. Adding to the hospitable atmosphere is a film-screening room (housemade chips provided), afternoon tea at the Sítio Valverde restaurant, which is bordered by elegant 18th-century engravings, and a colorful patio dotted with massive tree-ferns surrounding a heated outdoor pool. Fado seekers need not look far: There’s live music performed twice a week and accompanied by Portuguese dishes like confit of suckling pork belly. For the best views in the house, the Valverde Suite overlooks São Jorge Castle, though all the other rooms either have windows that open onto the avenue or balconies above the patio."