Lisbon Chronicles | 6 Hotels to Fall in Love

With Valentine's Day approaching most travel blogs and magazines will bring us articles on places to go and things to do with that special person in our lives. And I couldn't resist to jump on the band wagon and bring you some suggestions for those of you who live or are visiting this city I love so much.

And is also about my life long love for Lisbon that this post is about.  In this small city, full of light, you can find, in each neighborhood, a specific moment in the story of Lisbon, a different atmosphere and a myriad of things to do. Some of you may prefer an historical district, others a more bohemian ambiance, a cultural experience or a more trendy place. But I'm sure everyone will find their perfect spot to stay in Lisbon.

Therefore I selected 6 amazing places to stay across the city where you can surprise your loved one and enjoy a good time together. Some are housed in historical buildings or are part of historical areas in the city. Others stand out for their architectural features and interior design. Luxurious rooms, remarkable restaurants and top of the line SPAs are factors that will contribute to an unforgettable experience. The view of the city that you can reach and the outstanding service are a trademark of them all.


ALTIS BELÉM HOTEL & SPA

The Altis Belém Hotel & SPA is a modern boutique hotel situated in the historical Belém district. Although not in the city center, Belém is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich neighborhoods of Lisbon, combining UNESCO World Heritage sites with new and striking architectural projects.

Overlooking the Tagus River, this small design hotel represents a contemporary view of the Golden Ages of Portugal during the Discoveries, which is translated in a curated interior design that transports its guests to all the places the Portuguese traveled to.

The photos are courtesy of Altis Belém Hotel

The Tagus banks are perfect for a walk, hand in hand, or to wait the sunset, seating together in the steps by the river. If you choose Altis Belém to stay with your loved one, you can be sure to find a spacious room, with a contemporary decor, where the bespoke panels, evocative of distant places, make each room unique. Marble bathrooms with large soaking tubs, terraces with a stunning view where you can rest with a glass of a good Portuguese wine in hand, can surely add to a pleasurable stay.

Love is all about experiences together. So, why not schedule a couple massage (B in love) at the Hotel in-house Spa, BSpa by Karin Herzog? This awarded signature spa, that is the only exclusive spa of the Swiss brand in Portugal, presents amenities and treatments that are nothing but outstanding.

The photos are courtesy of Altis Belém Hotel

To start the night you can book a table at the Hotel signature Restaurant Feitoria (One Michelin Star) that this 14th February holds a special Valentine's Menu for dinner. That night, Chef João Rodrigues adds to his award wining suggestions a menu designed for lovers and crafted with the best of Portuguese ingredients. Pairing this delicacies with some of the best Portuguese fine wines will make this dinner an unforgettable experience.




CORINTHIA HOTEL LISBOA

In the first half of the 20th century Lisbon expanded north and away from the river bank. The new residential and business neighborhoods were designed along broad avenues, lined with modernist buildings.  Today, this part of the city is known as Avenidas Novas and it's in this district that you can find Corinthia Hotel Lisboa. With a direct view to Monsanto Forest Park and the monumental Aqueduct, the Corinthia is in walking distance to Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, that holds one of the best museums in the city, and of upscale shopping areas.

The photos are courtesy of Corinthia Hotel Lisboa

Checking in to the Corinthia Hotel Lisboa, you will find a carefully decorated hotel, with spacious social areas and dedicated service. The rooms are large and luminous, and welcome you with all the comfort you can aspire. Settle in and go out, exploring the city with your partner.

After a visit to the museum or just a walk in the beautiful Gulbenkian gardens, come back to the hotel and indulge in a Valentine's Couple SPA experience. The Corinthia SPA,  is extraordinaire in every way, and together you will be able to enjoy not only an hour of total relaxation in the Aqua area, but also some of the treatments with  the world-renowned  ESPA products, delivered by a pair of expert therapists. There are several options among the set of special offers designed for Valentines Day, to find out your favorite check here.

The photos are courtesy of Corinthia Hotel Lisboa

Relaxed and revitalized with the SPA experience, you just have to dress up and come down to the restaurant Típico where the menu showcases a fusion of Mediterranean and international cuisine along with a fine Portuguese wine collection carefully selected. The Lobby Lounge has entered the Valentine's spirit too, and created a special offer for the occasion, with hot drinks and a selection of pastries, to warm your heart and sweeten your lips, if you are in the mood for an afternoon snack.




FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RITZ LISBON

The photo is courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Located in a different part of Avenidas Novas district, at the top of one of the Lisbon's seven hills, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is an architectural and design landmark in the city and a privileged view point for its historic sites.

The hotel overlooks the gardens of Parque Eduardo VII and is the perfect starting point for exploring Lisbon. Coming back to the hotel is not the end of your visit to the city, as the Ritz is an attraction itself. The elegant 10-storey building, designed by the modernist architect Porfirio Pardal Monteiro, presents an outstanding collection of contemporary Portuguese tapestries, paintings and sculptures, including dozens of works from some of Portugal's most renowned artists, such as Almada Negreiros, Pedro Leitão, Estrela Faria and Querubim Lapa.

The photos are courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

The rooms are spacious, comfortable and elegant, providing all the services and amenities one can desire. If you want to relax, the Ritz Spa is the place to go. With windows overlooking the garden and park, the SPA presents an indoor pool  and selection of treatments with top tear brands like Swiss Perfection, ESPA and Sodashi.

The photos are courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

This year, the Valentine's Day dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon will be held in the intimate setting of the Ritz Spa, by the candlelit pool. For the couples in love, the moment will be accompanied by an exclusive and sumptuous three course dinner, specially designed by executive chef Pascal Meynard. On any other days, the restaurant Varanda, with its privileged view over the park and the city and a menu characterized by the rich variety of authentic and diverse Portuguese cuisine, is, no doubt, a special place to go.




PALÁCIO BELMONTE

The photo is courtesy of Palácio Belmonte

Palácio Belmonte is not a hotel. Is a Guest Palace where beauty and simplicity are the key words, and aesthetic and ecology are considered of the out most importance. You will not find a formal reception or a TV in your room, but the light, the colors and, above all, the details will conquer your heart.

Perched on the Castle's walls, in the Castelo neighborhood, Palácio Belmonte stands on milenar foundations. The noble residence of the House of Belmonte, opened to guests in 2000 after a careful reconstruction that lasted six years. The works, respecting sustainability and history, bring the 16th century palace to our days, providing their guests the luxury of natural simplicity.

The photos are courtesy of Palácio Belmonte

You may find difficult to choose one of the 10 suites. The light and the views are sublime. The care taken in the interior design is exquisite. The space is the one of a small apartment and the feeling is the one of owning a palace. So, if you want to go the extra mile in surprising your loved one, this is the place. The privilege of staying in a room lined with 18th century blue painted tiles, with a breathtaking view of Alfama and the Tagus, may not be for every day, but can make a day a very special one.

The photos are courtesy of Palácio Belmonte

After wandering the old town neighborhoods, return for a special dinner at the Palácio Belmont restaurant, Leopold. The restaurant is reopening the 11th February and Chef Tiago Feio will be waiting to surprise its visitors with a menu where the natural ingredients used and the mastery of cuisine technique are key.




PESTANA PALACE HOTEL


East of Belém district, situated near the banks of the Tagus River, the palace, that houses the Pestana Palace Hotel, was built in the first years of the 20th century by a cocoa baron who gained his fortune in Brazil. The luxurious nature of the southern hemisphere was brought into the surrounding gardens, filled with subtropical trees. Classified as a National Monument, went under extensive restoration before it opened as a hotel in 2001. Therefore, a visit to the palace itself, with its fresco decorated ceilings  and Regency style furniture, is a must.  Not very far from the hotel you can find Ajuda's Botanical Garden, a truly romantic spot, where you can spend a few hours totally in love.

The photos are courtesy of Pestana Palace Hotel

The royal suites in the original palace are huge, and the bedrooms with grand canopied beds and antique furniture contribute for a truly regal experience. For this season, the hotel holds a special Valentine's Day promotion including accommodation and dinner that you can find interesting. A visit to the Magic Spa by Pestana is also a experience to have together, and there you can choose from an exclusive menu of face and body treatments of the highest quality.

The photos are courtesy of Pestana Palace Hotel

After being pampered in the SPA, prepare yourself for a special dinner at the Valle-Flôr restaurant. There you can enjoy the best of Portuguese cuisine. The classical atmosphere of the beautifully decorated room  is the right scenery for a perfect evening. The company, the food, the wine and the discrete and attentive service will make this memorable experience. 

SANTIAGO DE ALFAMA

Santiago de Alfama is a small boutique hotel nestled in Alfama neighborhood.  Housed in the recovered 15th century Palácio dos Castros, the hotel is situated on Rua de Santiago, the road where the hotel site says "globalisation was financed, Christopher Columbus married and (is Lisbon's) start of the Caminho de Santiago de Compostela". So, if you have the travel bug inside of you, this seems to be the place. Right in the heart of the oldest bairro of Lisbon, you are in walking distance to downtown, to Castelo, Graça and Mouraria districts.

The photos are courtesy of Santiago de Alfama

The 19 rooms of Santiago de Alfama are all different but share the spacious and fluid layout and the bright  light that enters trough its numerous windows, presenting a simple yet luxurious decoration where modern art pieces punctuate the carefully recovered spaces. Would not be easy to choose among all the nice options available. But if you follow my advice, the Santiago Suite with its panoramic view is the perfect choice for a romantic night. If you want to get an extra dose of beauty before dinner, just head to the Beauty Bar, where you can choose from a menu of treatments from facials to manicures, accompanied by a cocktail.

The photos are courtesy of Santiago de Alfama

At the Restaurant Fábrica de Santiago, under the direction of Chef Carlos Robalo, the clients can find a cosy room, attentive staff and seasonal menus created with locally sourced produce. Specially for  the occasion, the restaurant is presenting a special Valentine's Day menu that surely will satisfy the more demanding palates (the Valentine's package also includes some treats that I can not disclose). The guests will have their dinner accompanied by live music and how romantic is it to end the night over a drink at the bar to the sound of Bossa Nova?