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The best boutique hotels in Lisbon
From sumptuous suites located in pastel-coloured streets to Instagrammable tiles on sun-kissed terraces, this capital knows stylish hotels
All hotels have been independently reviewed and selected. We will earn a commission if you book via the links below, but this never affects our rating.
Lisbon, with its narrow-cobbled streets, bougainvillea-clad squares, sea views and seven steep hills (the signature yellow trams rattling up and down), suits small boutique properties that maintain a sense of character and a feeling of a home not a hotel. Lisbon, unlike so much of the world, has not gone global; it remains resolutely Portuguese, looking out to sea, with its back to the rest of Europe and its identity intact.
Below is the best of the small, stylish and independent hotels tucked into hidden corners of the capital, like Hotel das Amoreiras, set in one of Lisbon’s prettiest squares looking onto the capital’s 18th-century aqueduct, or Memmo Príncipe Real reached down a tiny alleyway that opens onto a view right across the red roofs to the Tagus River. Or secret oases like Palácio Príncipe Real, where a lush garden transports you to a fragranced, purple-hued world of wisteria and jacaranda. Little gems, all of them, and all of them waiting for visitors. These are the best boutique hotels in Lisbon.
How we review
Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.
This hotel stands on one of Lisbon’s prettiest squares, Praça de Camões, with a statue of Luís de Camões, Portugal’s greatest poet in its centre. It's in the vibrant quarter of Bairro Alto (long a haunt of artists and writers) and could easily be described as the grande dame of Lisbon’s boutique hotel scene. Behind its ochre-coloured façade, it houses 87 rooms, the first outpost of chef Nuno Mendes in his home town, and a much sought-after roof terrace. The overall character is one of a warm and welcoming townhouse with a strong sense of place.
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From
£
333
per night
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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 old hand-painted tiles, modern art by Miguel Branco, Barahona Possollo and Iva Viana and even hand-made hats from an old, established, neighbouring store, Memmo Príncipe Real blends the area’s past with a decidedly 21st century form of luxury.
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£
200
per night
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These two turn-of-the-century mansions have been elegantly converted into a boutique bolthole. A beautiful swimming pool inset on a cobbled terrace offers views right across the capital, whilst restaurant The Black Pavilion delivers seriously good modern Portuguese fare. There are 26 rooms, one apartment and one villa. Décor is a mix of elegantly classic or contemporary, but all rooms come with a cosy vibe: beds are clad in the softest of linens with a warm, Portuguese woven rug underfoot, windows have glossy white shutters, and balconies are covered in local, brightly coloured tiles.
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From
£
745
per night
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This elegant 18th-century palace, painstakingly restored, houses 18 luxurious rooms including two sumptuous suites, lavishly adorned with original stucco work. The hotel’s rooftop, swimming pool and Suba Restaurant offer unrivalled 360-degree views of Lisbon’s skyline and the River Tagus beyond. Throughout the building there is an emphasis on allowing the characteristic Lisbon light in. Colours mix soft blues, beige and greys, with some rooms clad in silk wallpaper, others in raw linen. Despite the palatial feel to the building its character is warm and inviting.
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£
571
per night
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• The best hotels in Lisbon
While respecting the original heritage of this 18th-century house, which unlike so much of Lisbon survived the earthquake of 1755, the interior of this hilltop hotel pays homage to 21st-century design. The walls may be clad in local limestone but light fixtures comes courtesy of Italian designer Davide Groppi, chairs and tables from Carl Hansen and, in the rooms, beds from B&B Italia. The overall effect lends a serene atmosphere paired 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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From
£
257
per night
• The best nightlife in Lisbon
A 19th-century palace in perfect pink, surrounded by leafy gardens of jacaranda and lemon trees and inset with a swimming pool, is set to be the new go-to hotel for Lisbon tourists. It offers 25 bedrooms, many indulgently large with free-standing bath tubs, within beautifully restored interiors. It's a passion project from British owners Miles and Gail Curley, who came to Lisbon and fell in love with the palacio. Some rooms have terraces and some balconies but all have a view over the wonderful gardens. Beds are clad in crisp cottons, bathrooms in local limestone come with heated floors and Byredo amenities.
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From
£
445
per night
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Mr & Mrs Smith
• The best shopping in Lisbon
In charming Chiado, the authentic Lisbon of yellow trams and purple jacaranda, narrow, cobbled, streets and imposing churches, this luxury opening offers 61 rooms and suites behind its beautifully restored, 18th-century, daffodil-coloured walls. Wine is a central theme throughout, from the Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa to the Portuguese wine tasting experiences held under the ancient vaulted brick ceiling of the bar. Original blue and white tiles can be found throughout the building as can stuccoed and frescoed ceilings, an impressive staircase and a small chapel. Inside the thick stone walls the hotel hangs heavy with history and offers a real sense of place.
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£
234
per night
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Set in one of Lisbon’s prettiest squares, facing the mulberry tree-filled gardens after which the square is named, these two converted town houses offer an under-the-radar gem, housing 17 bedrooms, two suites, a courtyard and a stylish bar for breakfast and snacks. Step inside to find fresh flowers, polished antique furniture and pictures from owner Pedro Oliveira’s private collection. These range from a screen print by Alberto Giacometti 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 would not forget the city.
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£
230
per night
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Buried in the tiny streets of Chiado, this 19th-century haven offers tranquillity from the bustle of the city which its 20 rooms look onto, with views stretching across the red roofs and up to the castle on the skyline. Rooms are furnished with antiques and some have hot tubs on their private terraces (pictured). Nothing is too much trouble for the young, friendly staff and facilities abound to make you feel at home. Outside in the little garden is a small, heated swimming pool which is open throughout the year.
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From
£
225
per night
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This is the Lisbon outpost of the Sublime hotel group, and a worthy follow-up to their stylish debut, Comporta, which opened in 2014. In the capital, they have unveiled a chic townhouse with 15 rooms, and a sophisticated and seriously delicious Italian restaurant, Davvero. Rooms are all different in size, colour and feel, with some fitted with bathtubs and showers and others showers only, but they all have a sumptuousness to them. On the top two floors, two large suites under the rafters come with spacious terraces offering a bit of outdoor space. Each room has an honesty bar with half bottles of gin, whisky, vodka and mixers, a complimentary minibar (do try the special Pilsner house beer which uses Comporta rice).
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From
£
234
per night
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A rare find these days: an independent hotel created and run by its owners who have fashioned wha... Read expert review -
Perfectly located on the Praҁa dos Restauradores, this hotel faces the Avenida da Liberdade on on... Read expert review -
Rising high above the heart of Lisbon, opposite the leafy, Eduardo VII Park, the InterContinental... Read expert review
