Bairro Alto Hotel: one of Lisbon’s best boutique hotels gets a makeover
- Portugal’s capital is one of Europe’s hottest hotspots and now it has a high-end hotel to match
- The finest arts, crafts and contemporary cooking come together at the city-centre property
Why is Lisbon so hot? A new cruise ship terminal, which opened in 2017, has helped, but generally people have woken up to the fact that it’s fun to explore this beautiful, historic city with its good food, wine, shopping, sightseeing and slow-paced charm. Cut down a side street, off the busy tourist thoroughfares, and you’ll likely come across an old man smoking on his front step and the sound of a guitar drifting out of a window.
Is the hotel a good base from which to explore the city? Absolutely. It is located on one of the Lisbon’s prettiest squares, Praça Luís de Camões, which is centred on a statue of Portugal’s greatest poet, for whom it is named. Turn right out of the hotel and you are in Chiado, a chic neighbourhood of stylish shops, fine restaurants and theatres. Turn left and you’ll be in the lively quarter of Bairro Alto, once home to the headquarters of the country’s major newspapers and known for its bohemian vibe.
A three-minute walk from the hotel is Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest bookshop, which opened in 1732. If you’re feeling lazy, simply stay put and marvel at the cityscape over breakfast.
How so? The hotel is on top of a hill and breakfast is served on a terrace with a great view over the rooftops and down to the Tagus (Tejo, in Portuguese) River. You’ll want to come back for sundowners.