The Best Boutique Hotels in Lisbon

Get ready to caption #winning in all of your photos when you book a stay in this renovated palace, overlooking the Tagus estuary. All 19 of the minimalist-chic rooms have a window overlooking the rooftops of the trendy Bairro Alto district, the city’s centre for nightlife. In the warmer months, enjoy breakfast poolside, and then come back later in the day for a happy-hour beverage and a sunset dip. It also has a restaurant, Suba, on the top floor that serves Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist.

The Memmo Príncipe Real offers a five-star stay in one of Lisbon’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods. It’s close enough to the nightlife of the Bairro Alto, but quiet enough for those wanting a relaxing evening away from the action. The cosy rooms have a laid back, modern feel – ideal for couples or solo travellers. If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion, book the Exclusive Room as you can cuddle up by the fireplace, located on an open-air terrace overlooking the city. For a more budget-friendly view, try a speciality cocktail at its rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar, Café Príncipe Real.

The Santiago de Alfama is the perfect destination for a bachelorette weekend or romantic getaway, with a prime placement on the seafront. Treat yourself with a care package at its in-house spa, The Beauty Bar, before you step your freshly pedicured toes onto the cobblestone streets of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. Alternatively, have a leisurely breakfast at Audrey’s, the hotel’s restaurant with a sidewalk café, and then take one of the hotel’s custom-arranged day trips to nearby Sintra or Cascais.

Enjoy all the convenience and amenities of a large hotel chain with the attention to detail of a boutique hotel at PortoBay Liberdade. Perks include an indoor swimming pool, 24-hour gym, a Turkish steam bath and an outdoor hot tub. Its location near Rossio Square means you will have easy access to all of Lisbon’s most popular sights, as well as lots of transportation options for exploring the city and beyond.

There is no shortage of charm at the Vintage, a hotel and spa with a hipster’s take on mid-century modern design near the Rato metro station. Among its many novelties is a bespoke record player that you can use. The location is slightly off the beaten path, giving you more of a local perspective of the city. At night, it’s only a short walk to the excitement of Bairro Alto’s nightlife. It’s an even shorter walk upstairs to the hotel’s rooftop bar or your room, which has a vintage bar cart with a complimentary gin and tonic.

You’re in the centre of it all at the aptly named Brown’s Central Hotel, located in the Baixa neighbourhood. A stay at this hotel is not for those with chromophobia as it has a lime-green exterior and an eclectic collection of original artwork across its lobby and 84 rooms. Designer furniture – from Charles and Ray Eames to Arne Jacobsen – can be found in each room, along with Smeg kettles and Nespresso coffee machines. Don’t forget to enjoy the complimentary breakfast buffet every morning before hitting the streets.

Fans of film noir will love to stay in this original art deco hotel, designed in 1940 by celebrated Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco. Among its unique features are a vintage barbershop and a library with local history books. Film buffs are only a short walk from the Cinemateca Portuguesa (Museum of Cinema) and the Cinema São Jorge, one of the city’s traditional arthouse theatres. Everyone else will enjoy the hotel’s location near the Avenida da Liberdade, a grand boulevard with several small public parks and some of the fanciest shops in town.