The Altis Belem Hotel & Spa is a 50-room boutique in Belem, a residential neighborhood on the Tagus River. Belem is slightly removed from the city center, but has several of its own attractions, as well as gorgeous marina views and lovely restaurants lining the river. The hotel's rooms are sexy and spacious, with all-white decor accented by green rugs and unusual wall murals. Marble bathrooms are open -- with little privacy -- and some have inviting soaking tubs. Some rooms also have balconies with marina views and private Jacuzzis. Despite its small size, this hotel has many amenities, including a spa, a big indoor pool, a fitness center, and a Michelin-rated restaurant. Guests that want to be within walking distance of more attractions might consider the Altis Avenida, also a boutique hotel, with modern rooms in the city center.

The Alif Avenidas (formerly the Dom Manuel I Hotel) is a modern business hotel located across the street from Sao Sebastiao metro stop. It was completely renovated in late 2010, and it now features 64 decent-sized rooms (by Lisbon standards) with flat-screen TVs, comfortable beds, and empty mini-fridges. Decor is contemporary, and some rooms feature bright red accent walls -- but there’s a fee for Wi-Fi. The restaurant and bar are mediocre at best, but the breakfast buffet (not included in the standard rate) is decent, and there’s a small business center with two computers and a printer. In short, it’s a good pick for business travelers, but it’s worth comparing rates at nearby hotels before booking.

The 94-room Hotel Lisboa's is an elegant hotel in a central location, just off of Avenida da Liberdade and within walking distance of numerous sights. Unlike some of the smaller Heritage hotels, Hotel Lisboa features a full restaurant and a fitness center (though it's tiny), as well as great common areas. The luxurious lounge, dubbed the "Chill Out Room," features plush furniture, paneled ceilings, and fresh flowers, while the rooftop terrace is lit up at night and has a (non-alcoholic) honesty bar. The rooms are simple but charming; half have antique-style mahogany furniture, and the other half are more modern, but all are meant to evoke the feel of a Portuguese home. Marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos and bidets. All in all, this is a solid option, but it's also worth considering the hotel's nearby sister property, Heritage Av Liberdad.

The 45-room LX is a cool boutique option often offering reasonable rates. It's located just south of Bairro Alto, within walking distance of the Tagus river and some major attractions. The hotel is known for its funky design; the hip sushi restaurant features bright furniture, rugs, and patterned wallpaper, and each floor of guest rooms has a different theme based on a neighborhood, place, or person in Lisbon history. They actually don't vary much aside from the themed wall murals, and all are impressive. With baby blue walls, plush bedding, upscale furniture, and small flat-screen TVs, the rooms feel cozy and high-end. Probably the coolest "funky" feature of the hotel is the graffiti-like mural on parts of the building that can be seen from some rooms. But the hotel does not have a fitness center or spa, and families may not love the frosted glass walls of the bathrooms.

The Hotel Florida is a historic boutique with a cool retro vibe throughout. Rooms feature fun, quirky decor (such as framed movie posters and green, geometric prints); plush beds with crisp white linens; electric kettles; flat-screen TVs; and mini-fridges. Family rooms are great for families and groups, as they offer a little more space and a third bed. Bathrooms still have generic Best Western style (the hotel used to be owned by the international chain until it was bought by Sterling Design), but feature Saboaria Portugueza toiletries, and are generally very clean. Property highlights include a pleasant winter garden with comfy couches, a full-service business center with an area for kids to play while parents use the computers, and a small bar. The restaurant attached to the hotel is a popular spot serving up international and Portuguese cuisine.

The 19-room Hotel da Estrela is a stylish, quirky boutique in a quiet residential area a little out of the way of major attractions. The building was once a school, and the fun decor reflects that history (think: chalkboards, desks and shelves with school material). Rooms are spacious, bright and modern, with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and plush beds, plus upscale bathrooms with deep Japanese-style tubs and Castelbel toiletries. There’s a business center in the lounge, an honesty bar, and a pleasant garden, but the highlight here is the wonderful on-site cantina, in which patrons rate the food made by student cooks and pay what they feel is a fair price. But Wi-Fi is only free in the common areas (there’s free wired Internet in the rooms), and its location is not the most convenient for exploring the city on foot.

The 89-room Inspira is a funky, boutique option among the many hotels situated in the area right off of lively Avenida da Liberdade. The sleek, modern hotel design includes elements of Feng Shui; the common areas of the hotel, including the lobby, restaurant, and bar, have an open feel with clusters of bright furniture that add a punch of color. Rooms are designed with the natural elements in mind -- but the different room categories, such as water, fire, and metal, are pretty similar aside from comforters and throw pillows. The room decor is simple, and some furniture, such as the new-age desks, seem like it came from IKEA. But rooms are high-tech, with large, mounted flat-screen TVs, plug-and-play stations, and free Wi-Fi. Frosted glass bathroom walls, however, may not be family-friendly. The hotel also features a lounge area, several well-equipped meeting rooms, a spa, and a small fitness center.

The Altis Avenida is an elegant 70-room boutique in the heart of Lisbon. Attractions such as Avenida de Liberdade, St. George's Castle, and the lively Bairro Alto neighborhood are all within easy walking distance. The building dates back to the 1940s, and decor in the lobby and the rooms is inspired by this decade. The rooms are filled with design details and a color palette of gold, soft purples, and black. In-room amenities include luxurious marble bathrooms, big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-FI, and 24-hour room service. A chic rooftop bar and restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating along with beautiful city views. This Altis lacks the on-site amenities of some other hotels in the chain -- it has no spa, pool, or fitness center -- but it is a stylish, modern pick with fun design.

Altis Suites is located right next to the Altis Hotel, and its 42 suites are a good option for families or travelers on extended stays. These mid-range suites are spacious, but dated, with coral-colored bathrooms and furniture that's showing light wear and tear. However, all suites have kitchenettes -- with stovetops, microwaves, and mini-fridges -- living rooms, and flat-screen TVs. Guests staying in the suites have access to the amenities of the Altis Hotel next door including the health club and restaurant. There is 24-hour room service, and free airport shuttle service can be arranged in advance.

The 60-room Hotel Lisboa is a mid-range boutique in a great location -- just off of Avenida da Liberdade and within walking distance of numerous sights. Though the lobby is empty and unimpressive, rooms are nice; they may not be particularly large or glamorous, but they feature sleek, Ikea-esque furniture, red pops of color, small modern bathrooms, and tiny mounted flat-screen TVs. There are few amenities -- and even fewer freebies -- at this hotel; there is no spa, fitness center, or pool, and Wi-Fi in the rooms comes at an additional fee. But there is a cozy bar and restaurant, and overall the hotel is a good value for the location.