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 Tiara Park Atlantic is arguably one of the best value hotels in Lisbon. While it might not quite live up to its advertised 5-star status, it certainly is luxurious, and often has better rates than comparable properties. Most of the sophisticated rooms are decorated in a color scheme of silver, gold, and red -- silver wallpaper, rich red woods and accent pillows, and pale gold chairs or couches. They come with all the modern amenities expected of an upscale hotel, including flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, and free Wi-Fi; most boast impressive city and river views from wall-to-wall windows. Rooms also feature Nespresso one-cup coffee machines and free coffee capsules, as well as Hermes toiletries. There’s a nice restaurant serving traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist, and a bar with Hindu decor and comfy seating. Its location, across from Eduardo VII Park, and near the metro and the tourist bus, makes it a great pick for business and for leisure travelers alike.

The 369-room Sheraton Lisboa is an upscale chain hotel just outside the city center, near two metro lines and the airport bus stop. Elegant rooms are fairly spacious and modern, with stylish furnishings, Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs, and signature mattresses. Sleek bathrooms have glass walls, and while they do have blinds, guests complain about lack of privacy. The property boasts wonderful dining options (both casual and formal), stunning city views, a full-service business center, and an upscale spa. But guests may feel nickel-and-dimed due to pesky fees for everything from Wi-Fi to pool access.

Few Lisbon hotels can compare to the Four Seasons. In addition to the top-notch service the brand is known for, the hotel goes above and beyond with its amenities; it features a stylish indoor pool, an impressive fitness center with an outdoor running track, a luxurious spa, and great family-friendly perks. Large rooms have classic decor (think: 18th century replica furnishings and rich fabrics), as well as furnished terraces, flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, and marble bathrooms. Some may find the style staid rather than elegant, however. Also, there’s a fee for Wi-Fi, and few major sights can be reached on foot.

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 Turim Alameda is a small chain hotel a short metro ride from the heart of the city. It offers small, clean rooms with generic contemporary decor, laminate floors, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and A/C units. There’s little in the way of amenities -- just a decent restaurant, a bar, a business center and lounge with comfy seating, and self-parking (for a fee). But free Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet that is a notch above your standard chain hotel selection, and low rates when booking online make this a good value for money. Rooms on the top floors have great city views.

Located right by the former Expo site and a short drive from the airport, the Tivoli Oriente is a great pick for business travelers, or any travelers with early flights. While it is far from tourist attractions, it’s next door to the Gare do Oriente, a major transportation hub with access to the metro, trains, buses and taxis, providing easy access to the city center. All but the Classic Rooms have been renovated, and feature contemporary decor with bright pops of color, clean, red-lacquered bathrooms, and modern amenities, such as iHome docks, Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Business-oriented conveniences include a business center, meeting rooms, and a solid fitness center. There’s a restaurant and a bar on-site, but numerous other restaurants, as well as shops and a casino, are within walking distance.

The Tivoli Jardim is a high-style hotel in a great location right on bustling Avenida da Liberdade (Lisbon's main street, lined by shops, restaurants, and sights). There are two attractive restaurants with sleek, whimsical decor reminiscent of Philippe Starck's style (picture crystal chandeliers and gold and silver furniture), but aside from that, the hotel has very few on-site amenities. However, guests do have access to the facilities at the sister hotel next door. Although rooms are small, they are attractive and hip, with coral throws and funky artwork, as well as up-to-date technology: iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi (for a fee).

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.