Central stays: Seven great hotels in Lisbon city centre

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Lisbon is a patchwork of neighbourhoods, each as different to each other as water and wine. So, picking an area to stay isn’t always easy. To be slap-bang in the middle of things, the areas of Baixa and Alfama are good options. And you can’t really go wrong with the hotels that are satellites to the Avenida da Liberdade or Rossio metro station. Here are a few of the top options we’ve selected.

Epic Sana's central location is made even sweeter by the stunning views from its rooftop swimming pool

Valverde

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This hotel is located inside an easy-on-the-eye heritage property on the Avenida da Liberdade – one of Lisbon’s main thoroughfares. Despite its five-star rating it’s not too OTT. Bedrooms at Valverde are unpretentious places with plain walls and geometric carpets, and communal spaces are cosy with lots of soft fabrics and warm woods. The pearl in this place’s oyster, though, has to be its leafy courtyard, which comes with a swimming pool and a pick and mix of seating options from tub chairs to recliners.

Metro: Avenida

The pearl in La Verdura’s oyster is its leafy courtyard, which comes with a swimming pool and a pick and mix of seating options from tub chairs to recliners

Solar Do Castelo

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The Solar Do Castelo stands shoulder to shoulder with one of Lisbon’s top attractions – the Castelo São Jorge. It’s located inside an 18th century mansion on the site of what used to be the kitchens of the Royal Palace. Its interior design has as much character as its setting. Inside you’ll find antique furniture alongside modern elements like ceiling spotlights and bachelor-style leather sofas. One of the talking points of the hotel is the peacocks. These bright birds sometimes wander into the hotel’s courtyard from the castle gardens while guests are having breakfast.

Bus: Castelo 

Even when you stay in the heart of the city, you can still get some animal companions: peacocks sometimes wander into Solar Do Castelo’s courtyard from the castle gardens while guests are having breakfast

Epic Sana

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The central location isn’t the only lure at Epic Sana. This good-looking hotel has a rooftop terrace with a roomy swimming pool and a clutch of sun loungers. It also has a 18,200 sq ft (1,700 sq m) spa, which features a swimming pool with waterfall features, a fitness centre, and six treatments rooms offering everything from olive lump scrubs to Thai massage. The hotel is popular with couples, but families are well looked after, too. Babysitting services are available, and the hotel runs a family brunch in its restaurant every Sunday when kids can get their faces painted and children under six years old eat free.

Metro: Marquês de Pombal

Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel

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Slap bang on Lisbon’s main road, Avenida da Liberdade, the Heritage Avenida Hotel is wrapped up inside an 18th century townhouse. The renovations were done by award winning Portuguese architect Miguel Cãncio Martins. Inside the hotel is smart but cosy. It rolls out the welcome mat with areas like a library and a restful bar area with lots of snug seating and plump fabrics. One of the highlights of this hotel is its indoor pool, which is flanked by loungers and wicker relaxation chairs big enough for two.

Metro: Restauradores

One of the highlights of Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel is its indoor pool, which is flanked by loungers and wicker relaxation chair

Britania Hotel

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Just off the main avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, Britania Hotel is located inside a 1940s building and has been restored to its art deco style by Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco. The hotel has a private members club feel to it. There’s a dark wood bar with parquet floors and period bar stool seating and a library with a fireplace and tables set out for checkers or chess. On the food front, only breakfast is served at the hotel. It’s laid on buffet-style and alongside the typical continental options on the menu there are traditional Portuguese custard tarts.

Metro: Avenida

When you're done sightseeing, you can kick back with some board games in Britania Hotel's library

International Design Hotel

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Just around the corner from Rossio metro, the International Design Hotel is ultra-modern. Expect magic-eye style wallpaper and black and white photos of Hollywood icons like Audrey Hepburn on the walls. Rooms have been created around four design themes – urban, tribal, zen and pop. Whichever one you choose, you’ll get a Jacuzzi bath in your room as well as finishing touches like a pillow menu and Ritual toiletries. The hotel has a restaurant where the food can be as quirky as the hotel’s design. Expect to see things like bread served in Lego boxes and chips served in pastiche fast food boxes that resemble those of Golden Arches fame.

Metro: Rossio

Rooms in the International Design Hotel have been created around four design themes – urban, tribal, zen and pop

H10 Duque de Loule

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This boutique hotel in downtown Lisbon is one of the city’s newer hotels. Born in 2015, H10 Duque de Loule is located inside a restored 18th century building. Its interior is striking. Big tiled murals adorn the walls of communal areas like the lounge/library. Even the lifts are framed by quirky pieces of hand sketched art. Rooms, meanwhile, are blanker canvases with calming white walls and crisp white linens. One of the highlights here is the open-air terrace bar that looks out over the red rooftops of Lisbon.

Metro: Marquês de Pombal or Parque