The Best of Lisbon 25 Boutique Hotels in Lisbon A boutique hotel is a small hotel with few rooms and a unique or intimate atmosphere, usually with a themed décor. Many are also considered "design hotels" but are not necessarily luxury accommodation. Many of the centuries-old buildings in Lisbon's historic neighborhoods have been renovated to become boutique hotels in the last few years, and now combine traditional and modern design. There's a large variety to choose from, so here's the list of the 25 that stand out. 1 | Palacete Chafariz D'El Rei Hidden in the maze of the Alfama district, this is one of Lisbon’s greatest secrets. It’s a neo-Moorish palace that was beautifully restored, with magnificent rooms with stuccoed ceilings. Each of the six suites is different, but all romantic, making it perfect for couples. 2 | Casa Balthazar Owned by the same family since 1882, this historic house in the Chiado district offers wonderful views over the city. In addition to being a private residence it was also the factory where the traditional Christmas cake and custard tarts were made for the Confeitaria Nacional pastry shop. Today the former factory space is the hotel’s restaurant, and the rooms combine antique family pieces in a classic style mixed with contemporary elegance. 3 | Valverde Hotel It only has 25 rooms, each with its own style. It’s a beautiful building on Avenida da Liberdade, and it has a patio with a small pool. There is also a restaurant, a library and a bar. 4 | Hotel Britania It’s a beautiful Art Deco building from the 1940s around the corner from Avenida da Liberdade, designed by renowned architect Cassiano Branco. The rooms are furnished with period pieces, as are the bar and the old barber shop. 5 | Portugal Boutique Hotel The rooms of this hotel have a contemporary décor, but were inspired by the typical colors of the traditional Portuguese tiles -- white and blue. Every room is different, but each one features the same colors and style, and there’s also a pleasant patio. 6 | Memmo Alfama Hotel It has one of the best views of Lisbon and one of the best locations. Hidden on a street just a few feet from the cathedral, it’s halfway between the castle and downtown. Despite the historic ambience, the interior is all modern design, and at the terrace with a small pool are served cocktails. 7 | Hotel Santiago de Alfama It’s found between the castle and the most beautiful lookout terraces in Alfama, and was once a palace and a factory. It has just 19 rooms, some looking out to the garden, others over the Alfama district. It’s a luxury hotel but quite relaxed, with a laid-back restaurant, and even a curious "beauty bar." 8 | Torel Palace A mansion built on top of a hill in 1902 is now a beautiful hotel with suites featuring a classic-modern décor inspired by Portuguese queens. From the terrace with swimming pool is a beautiful panoramic view over the city. 9 | Casa do Príncipe No one can imagine the beautiful interior of this building facing the garden of Principe Real. This hotel is on the first floor and it only has nine rooms, each with its stuccoed ceiling and original frescoes, in true 19th-century style. 10 | Heritage Avenida Liberdade Hotel This building from 1770 on Avenida da Liberdade was one of the first to be turned into a boutique hotel. Designed by renowned architect Miguel Câncio Martins, it has a cozy atmosphere and comfortable rooms with a few restored antiques. 11 | Lisboa Carmo Hotel It’s one of the most romantic hotels in town, found in a beautiful square with jacaranda trees. The rooms on the upper floors have a view of the castle, while the ground floor is for the restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine. 12 | As Janelas Verdes Hotel This historic 18th-century mansion was the residence of writer Eça de Queiros, so the décor is inspired by the past, with books, pieces of art and a library looking over the Tagus. The patio is one of the quietest spots in the city, and it’s where breakfast is served every morning. 13 | Hotel Santa Justa It was one of the first 18th-century buildings downtown to be turned into a boutique hotel, with a simple, modern décor. Breakfast is served at the restaurant with terrace downstairs. 14 | Lapa 82 Located in the quiet neighborhood of Lapa, with tram 25 passing right by the door, this bed and breakfast has a very inviting outdoor patio, and makes guests feel at home. Every room has a unique décor, and there’s also a welcoming living room. 15 | Monte Belvedere Hotel It’s right next to one of the city’s most popular lookout terraces, and it also offers one of the best views. It only has 13 elegant rooms and suites, and a terrace where meals are served throughout the day. 16 | The Art Inn Each of the eleven rooms is a work of art, mixing the vintage and the modern. It’s something of a gallery-hotel, inspired by the local culture. 17 | Bairro Alto Hotel Distinguished with several awards, this hotel has a prime location at the doorstep of the Bairro Alto and Chiado districts. It has a romantic retro-inspired décor, and one of the trendiest rooftop terraces in town with a beautiful view. 18 | Dear Lisbon - Charming House This is an authentic Lisbon home, inspired by the historical and contemporary city. It only has 19 rooms, but also a welcoming lounge, a kitchen and a wonderful garden. 19 | Internacional Design Hotel Located between the pedestrian Rua Augusta and Rossio Square, this is a design hotel with a different style on each floor. The fun restaurant overlooks the square and serves meals throughout the day. 20 | Palácio Ramalhete This 18th-century palace maintains the original architecture and atmosphere, but with the comforts of modern times. It only has 12 beautiful rooms, and a patio with a small heated pool. 21 | Lx Boutique Hotel It was one of the first boutique hotels in Lisbon, and the décor is inspired by the city. Some rooms have river views, and on the ground floor is a trendy sushi restaurant. 22 | The Beautique Hotel - Figueira The décor is by award-winning designer Nini Andrade Silva, who was inspired by the name of the square where the hotel is located (“Fig Tree Square”). The rooms were designed to be a comfortable and relaxing experience, combining green and black tones with images of large fig leaves. 23 | Teatro B&B It has one of the most original décors and one of the best locations in town. It’s found right in the center of Chiado, and was inspired in the district’s many theaters. The rooms mix the classic style with contemporary design. 24 | Solar do Castelo It literally shares the walls of the castle, and is a former palace which housed the royal kitchens. The castle peacocks make their daily visits to the courtyard, where guests relax in the sun. It has kept medieval artifacts, such as a cistern and various objects found during excavations, now on display in a small museum. 25 | Browns Boutique Hotel It’s right in the heart of the city and it’s a modern design hotel. It has just 32 rooms, all different, while downstairs is a good café. This article is courtesy of: http://www.lisbonlux.com/lisbon-hotels/boutique-hotels.html Why Lisbon Is One of the Coolest Cities in Europe This is the Portuguese capital's moment—so what are you waiting for? By Tom Barber Underestimate Western Europe's oldest capital at your peril. A port at the centre of what was once a vast and wealthy maritime empire will always be a cosmopolitan place to hang out. Lisbon does distinct districts beautifully, with the formality of the central Praça do Comércio (created after the earthquake of 1755) flanked by the winding lanes of the Alfama, the city's centre under the Arabic occupation of Iberia, and the once-seedy and now achingly cool dockyard area of Cais do Sodré. The city has rediscovered its mojo in a major way: where bacalao (salt cod) was once the culinary high (ie, not very high at all), young chefs are reimagining Portuguese petiscos (tapas); meanwhile, elegant town houses are being converted into chic hotels, and the nightlife is as good as any self-respecting seafront city should expect. Tom Barber is a founder of originaltravel.co.uk Eating & Sleeping Stay While the Bairro Alto Hotel in the district of the same name remains a winner, we also love the new Hotel Valverde, located on the city's most bling boulevard, and with rooms by the same designers as the Bairro Alto. After the inevitable big night out, retire to the Pateo garden, complete with pool, five o'clock tea and cocktail bar, or settle in for a movie in the small cinema. The restaurant serves a range of excellent modern Portuguese fare. Lunch Exhibit A of the vision that is transforming the city's culinary fortunes, the 19th-century Mercado da Ribeira, which was getting a bit tired to say the least, has been completely overhauled (by Time Out, of all people). Half remains a traditional food market that's great for browsing, while the other half has been transformed into a food hall with outlets from some of Portugal's best chefs, including Alexandre Silva, previously of the excellent Bica do Sapato restaurant.