Amy Adejokun
Section editor
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.
Double Tree By Hilton Fontana Park Hotel - © EASYVOYAGE
Double Tree By Hilton Fontana Park Hotel - © EASYVOYAGE
The Fontana Park hotel is located to the north of the Portuguese capital, north of Marques de Pombal Square, in the direction of the airport. The centre of Lisbon is a 30-minute walk or 15-minute drive away.
The 139 guest rooms are spread over 7 floors and all are decorated in the same, minimalist style. Be aware that in order to gain access to the rooms, you will have to venture down the very dark, narrow, black corridor - a nightmare for claustrophobics! Once inside your room, though, the ambience will soon win you over. The entire interior is black and white, including white parquet flooring partially covered by a black rug, and even the complimentary flip-flops provided are black. Amenities include bathrobes, a television, a telephone, a minibar, a safe, films on-request and air-conditioning, and some of the rooms even have a balcony. The two Fontana suites are ultra-modern and feature an illuminating designer bathtub, whilst the standard bathrooms have a simple bathtub, a hair-dryer and hospitality products and are decorated along the same 'black and white' lines as the rest of the room. The toilet is separate and there is a window overlooking the bedroom.
This ever-so-stylish hotel was once an iron factory, and the building itself dates back to 1908, with only the original façade having been renovated and maintained. The high ceilings, metal beams and spacious lobby are undoubtedly a reminder of the former iron factory, and the lobby sets the tone for the rest of the hotel. Fontana Park, which opened in December 2007, is also a member of the Design Hotels label The interior decor is minimalist and natural, with black and white being the dominant colours. Warmer colours such as green, mauve and pink are also present, and the pebbled floors and tree-trunk tables give the place a truly 'naturalist' feel. Photographs of trees are displayed in the communal areas, and there are even photographs in the lifts! The bar located near the lobby area offers stylish yet cosy surroundings for those who like to relax with a drink, and there is also a small terrace with a garden, bamboos and a waterfall should you wish to make the most of the Lisbon climate. Be aware that snacks are served at the bar from 10:00am right through to 1:00am. The furniture is a combination of Indonesian and Malaysian pieces and black is the dominant colour in the decor, though the photographs of plants on the walls do add a hint of colour.
The first of the hotel's two fine-dining restaurants is the Bonzai, where Japanese cuisine is served in very intimate surroundings, with black decor and a touch of mauve here and there. Lunch and dinner are also served at the Saldanha Mar, where various Portuguese, Mediterranean and fish dishes are served in an all-white interior decor. The fish here is brought in from the fish market across the road, so it couldn't be fresher. The restaurant tables are made of rough wood covered with a film of glass, and white-painted trees decorate the restaurant hall.
This is an ecological hotel, meaning that the taps use special water-saving technology and biodegradable chemicals are used. When we visited, a spa was also due to be opened in 2009.
spa, keep fit, Turkish bath, massage, beauty salon
sports, tennis, mountain bike
It might be a tad out of the way, but the Sana Lisboa Park is still a pleasant place to spend your stay in Lisbon. It has a large number of facilities and modern decor that will delight those who appreciate minimalist clean lines.
The Suites do Marques hotel is located outside of the city centre, which could be a disadvantage when you're in Lisbon for only a few days. Without much character, this hotel is better suited to families or guests on business.
The Comfort Inn is a dated 3 star hotel which could certainly do with a makeover but is nevertheless well-located. The hotel provides comfortable surroundings and is primarily aimed at business travellers.
This 4-star establishment stands on the heights of Lisbon, not far from the Plaza del Marqués de Pombal. Built in 1998, the hotel's restaurants and entrance hall were entirely renovated in 2008, but its guest rooms are in dire need of the same treatment: their decor is completely dated and has nothing in common with the style of the communal areas.
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.
The Dom Carlos Park is a hotel with all the services you could possibly ask for. The decor is not very modern, but is pleasant enough and the snack bar, which is open until midnight, is a definite plus. Although it lacks any real assets to make it stand out from the rest, the Dom Carlos Park is a nice hotel to stay in.
The Dom Carlos Liberty is a moderately-sized hotel (59 rooms) and is ideally located to make the most of the city of Lisbon. A snack bar, computers and a library, set in stylish and modern surroundings, are open for your convenience all day long: just what you need after a long day looking around the city!
Hotel Fénix occupies a rather imposing building on Marques de Pombal Square. It is a basic and charmless establishment and might just do for a night or two while you stay in Lisbon, but only if you don't find other accommodation.
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.
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.
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 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.