Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Borges is the perfect pied-a-terre for those seeking to make the most of the Lisbon nightlife. Those looking for a little peace and quiet, on the other hand, had better look elsewhere, this hotel being more of a small boarding house where it's nice to rest and unwind after a hectic day.
Borges - © EASYVOYAGE
Borges - © EASYVOYAGE
Located in the city's lively Chiado district, the Borges hotel enjoys an exceptional and central location, right on the famous Rua Garrett, the territory of famous Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. The street has maintained some of its 1930s charm, and just below the Borges, the Brasileira cafe pays tribute to Fernando Pessoa with a statue of the famous poet. The street is lined with shops and bars and all forms of transport can be accessed just 2 minutes from the hotel, with the metro station just opposite and the tramways a stone's throw away.
The 96 guest rooms are spread over 4 floors and all have recently been refitted. They are, on the whole, pleasant and spacious and offer all basic modern comforts (television, telephone, air conditioning and safe), though the decor is still a little outdated. Some of the rooms even have a small balcony. The decent-sized bathrooms have a bathtub, hair dryer, hospitality products and a scales.
The Borges is a small, quaint hotel and guests have been coming here to enjoy the ambience of the area, the somewhat outdated charm of the hotel and particularly its central location since 1884. Those who like an early night won't get much sleep here as the Rua Garrett really comes to life after dark. The hotel has Internet access, a small TV lounge area and a breakfast room which still bears its period decor (complete with crystal chandelier, moulded ceiling and tapestries on the walls), which reflects the very traditional, Portuguese-style decor of the rest of the hotel.
The Borges hotel occupies a historical position on Rua Garrett, a meeting place for poets, intellectuals, artists and other writers in the 1930s.
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An intimate and contemporary city boutique hotel with period Lisbon charm, the LX Boutique is great all-rounder. Extremely comfortable with friendly service and a great breakfast, it is one of the rare options that isn't yet overpriced in the Portuguese capital. A perfect option for couples and small groups of friends looking for a pleasant base to explore the rest of the city from without breaking the bank.
What better way to spend a holiday in Lisbon than finding yourself bang in the middle of the historic district of Chiado? If this sounds like your cup of tea, the Lisboa Regency Chiado is for you, but bear in mind that it does not have a restaurant or any facilities other than a bar. It is, nevertheless, the ideal place for a weekend in the Portuguese capital.
The Metropole is a small, charming and rather discrete hotel. It is ideally located on Rossio Square, which makes it easy to explore the city without wasting time getting around on public transport. If art deco is your thing, then you will probably find this establishment to your liking. If it isn't, however, you might find certain elements of the interior to be rather kitsch. It's a matter of taste!
The Portugal hotel is a charming and unpretentious hotel in the heart of Lisbon and it is mainly suited to a young clientele looking for an inexpensive but pleasant place to stay in the city centre.
This luxury hotel suits a clientele who are looking for a certain degree of restraint whilst also wanting to enjoy high quality service. Located in the artistic Bairro Alto district, it is a good starting point for visiting the town and enables guests to make the most of all its attractions.
You will soon feel at home relaxing among friends in the cocooning atmosphere of the lounges at this hotel. Its ideal location, in a quiet street not far from the city centre, makes it an ideal place to stay in the Portuguese capital, and the lack of ostentatious luxury makes it perfect if you are looking for a quality hotel but nothing too flashy.
The Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade is a hotel with quality services provided in an Asian setting, and is suited just as well to businessmen as to couples. Well located on Avenida da Liberdade, it is very handy when it comes to exploring the city.
This hotel represents the perfect blend between modern and traditional styles. Some of you will probably fall in love with the lift here when you see it, it is so wonderfully decorated! On a more serious note though, this hotel has all the amenities that you could ever wish for.
The Tivoli Lisboa is one of the best five-star hotels we've had the pleasure of visiting in this city. For starters, it enjoys a prime location at the heart of the city on one of the most prestigious avenues in Lisbon, the Avenida da Liberdade. It really does have so many assets, including an outdoor pool set amid a very pleasant little botanical garden, not to mention a panoramic restaurant which offers exceptional views across the city. Welcome to a world of luxury where every last detail counts!
The Lapa Palace hotel is one of the Lisbon's finest, overlooking the city and the Tagus from its hillside perch. As a member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, it offers the high-quality service you would expect of such an establishment, and is recommended for a peaceful holiday with excellent views and an ambience fit for the Portuguese aristocracy.
The Four Seasons Ritz hotel really shows its daring side by combining the standards of a luxury hotel with the eccentricity of the artistic world. It offers all the comfort and services that you would expect of an upmarket hotel, with an added touch of eccentricity and colour from the paintings and sculptures by Portuguese artists.
If you are a fan of stylish, minimalist decor, then the Fontana Park, part of the Design Hotels label, is the place for you. The only downside to this place is that it is a little far from the centre of the Portuguese capital, but it will suit couples, as well as business travellers looking for a chilled out atmosphere.
If you are looking for somewhere to spend a romantic weekend, the Solar do Castelo is the ideal place to whisk your lover away to. Charm, authenticity,and tranquillity are the watchwords here, as you will be the only ones sleeping within the castle grounds. It is a real favourite for a romantic weekend.
The Real Palacio is a 5-star hotel located in a quiet neighbourhood on the heights of Lisbon. The hotel is housed in a 17th-Century building and has a certain charm about it, despite the fact that its Standard guest rooms are a little cramped for a 5-star establishment.
This beautiful 17th century building used to be a convent and when staying at this hotel you will be able to feel its peculiar atmosphere. The owner, however, managed to subtly combine a simple and contemporary style with tokens of this building's religious past. If you are looking for some peace and quiet and hoping to spend a weekend in Lisbon reconnecting with yourself, then this is the place for you.
Part of the local luxury hotel and restaurant group, Lagrimas, the Hotel da Estrela, is a small boutique hotel of 19 rooms located in a converted private home deep within Lisbon's narrow winding streets. Contemporary and pleasant, the highlight here, aside from the school themed décor, is the restaurant, where we sampled some of the best squid we have ever had the privilege of tasting on our travels across the world. A member of the Small Leading Hotels label, the hotel is indeed fully deserving of its reputation. An ideal place to stay for a wide-ranging clientele, from families to couples and due to its central location, most sights are within walking distance.