Lisbon, with its narrow cobbled streets, bougainvillea-clad squares, sea views and seven steep hills (the distinctive yellow trams rattling up and down), befits small boutique properties that retain a sense of character and the feeling of a home and not of a hotel. . Lisbon, unlike much of the world, has not gone global; it remains resolutely Portuguese, facing the sea, with its back to the rest of Europe and its identity intact.
Below you will find the best of the small, stylish and independent hotels, hidden in hidden corners of the capital, such as Hotel das Amoreiras, located on one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares overlooking the capital’s 18th century aqueduct, or Memmo Príncipe Real, located in a small alley that opens onto a view straight across the red roofs to the Tagus River. Or secret oases like Palácio Príncipe Real, where a lush garden transports you to a fragrant, purple-hued world of wisteria and jacaranda. Little gems, all of them, and all waiting for visitors. These are the best boutique hotels in Lisbon.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
This hotel is located on one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares, Praça de Camões, with a statue of Luís de Camões, Portugal’s greatest poet, in the middle. Located in the vibrant Bairro Alto district (long a haunt of artists and writers), it can easily be described as the grande dame of Lisbon’s boutique hotel scene. Behind its ocher facade, it houses 87 rooms, chef Nuno Mendes’ first outpost in his hometown and a sought-after rooftop terrace. The overall character is that of a warm and welcoming town house with a strong sense of place.
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Designed by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, who was also responsible for the previous Memmo hotels, the overall character here is one of contemporary elegance, rooted in Portuguese heritage. Drawing on local materials, from warm limestone to ancient hand-painted tiles, modern art by Miguel Branco, Barahona Possollo and Iva Viana and even handmade hats from an old, established, neighboring shop, Memmo Príncipe Real combines the area’s past with a decidedly 21st century form of luxury.
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These two mansions from the beginning of the last century have been elegantly converted into a boutique hotel. A beautiful swimming pool on a paved terrace offers views over the entire capital, while The Black Pavilion restaurant serves seriously good modern Portuguese cuisine. There are 26 rooms, one apartment and one villa. The décor is a mix of elegant classic or contemporary, but all rooms exude a cozy atmosphere: the beds are covered in the softest linen with a warm, Portuguese woven rug underfoot, the windows have glossy white shutters and the balconies are covered with local, bright light. colored tiles.
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This elegant 18th-century palace, carefully restored, houses 18 luxurious rooms, including two luxurious suites, richly decorated with original stuccowork. The hotel’s rooftop, swimming pool and Suba Restaurant offer unparalleled 360-degree views of the Lisbon skyline and the Tagus River beyond. Throughout the building, emphasis is placed on letting in the characteristic Lisbon light. The colors are mixed with soft blues, beige and gray tones, with some rooms covered with silk wallpaper, others with rough linen. Despite the palatial appearance of the building, its character is warm and inviting.
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Respecting the original heritage of this 18th-century house, which unlike much of Lisbon survived the 1755 earthquake, the interior of this hilltop hotel pays tribute to 21st-century design. Although the walls are clad in local limestone, the lighting fixtures come from Italian designer Davide Groppi, chairs and tables from Carl Hansen and, in the rooms, beds from B&B Italia. The overall effect creates a serene atmosphere, combined with a strong sense of history. An essay in simplicity, the six beautiful suites all look over the roofs of old Lisbon towards the Tagus.
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A 19th-century palace in perfect pink, surrounded by leafy gardens of jacaranda and lemon trees and with a swimming pool, is becoming the new favorite hotel for tourists in Lisbon. It offers 25 bedrooms, many wonderfully large with freestanding bathtubs, in beautifully restored interiors. It is a passion project of British owners Miles and Gail Curley, who came to Lisbon and fell in love with the palacio. Some rooms have a terrace and some have balconies, but all have views of the beautiful gardens. The beds are lined with crisp cotton and the local limestone bathrooms feature underfloor heating and Byredo toiletries.
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In charming Chiado, the authentic Lisbon of yellow trams and purple jacaranda, narrow cobbled streets and imposing churches, this luxurious opening offers 61 rooms and suites behind beautifully restored 18th-century daffodil-colored walls. Wine takes center stage everywhere, from the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa to the Portuguese wine tastings under the bar’s old vaulted brick ceiling. Original blue and white tiles can be found throughout the building, as well as stucco and frescoed ceilings, an impressive staircase and a small chapel. Within its thick stone walls, the hotel is full of history and offers a real sense of place.
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Located in one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares, overlooking the mulberry-filled gardens for which the square is named, these two converted townhouses offer an under-the-radar gem, with 17 bedrooms, two suites, a courtyard and a stylish bar for breakfast and snacks. Step inside to find fresh flowers, polished antique furniture and photographs from owner Pedro Oliveira’s private collection. These range from an Alberto Giacometti screen print, to an original James Bond poster above the bar, to a painting of Lisbon by Pedro’s father, who gave it to him when he left Lisbon decades ago so he wouldn’t forget the city.
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Buried in the small streets of Chiado, this 19th century retreat offers tranquility from the hustle and bustle of the city that its 20 rooms overlook, with views stretching over the red roofs and up to the castle on the skyline. The rooms are furnished with antiques and some have a hot tub on their private terrace (pictured). Nothing is too much trouble for the young, friendly staff and there are plenty of facilities to make you feel at home. Outside in the small garden there is a small, heated swimming pool that is open all year round.
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This is the Sublime hotel group’s outpost in Lisbon and a worthy follow-up to their stylish debut Comporta, which opened in 2014. In the capital, they have unveiled a chic 15-room mansion with refined and truly delicious Italian cuisine. restaurant, Davvero. The rooms are all different in size, color and appearance, some are equipped with a bath and shower and others only with a shower, but they all have an opulent appearance. On the top two floors there are two large suites under the roof trusses with spacious terraces offering some outdoor space. Each room has an honesty bar with half bottles of gin, whisky, vodka and mixers, and a complimentary minibar (try the special Pilsner house beer, using Comporta rice).