Jeronimos 8

Although it's housed in a building built in the 1940s, this boutique hotel looks fresh and modern thanks to a refurbishment project completed in 2008. Guests enter a modern lobby with white tile flooring and a small square front desk in front of a red statement wall. There’s a long rectangular seating area in a sunken lounge space, filled with brown- and cream-colored contemporary couches. Elongated sculptural figures placed here and there add a sophisticated artistic flair to the space. The breakfast room and wine bar maintain a similar style with black floors, fluorescent red lighting, wooden tables, and white egg-style chairs. While the hotel's sleek design is attractive to some travelers, the outdoor wooden patio filled with comfy white chairs and couches is the most comforting and welcoming space in the hotel. Most guests here are couples who can be seen enjoying a drink at the bar or having breakfast in the morning. 

Jeronimos 8 has a great location that’s just a 15-minute walk from the coast and close to some major attractions. It’s a three-minute walk to the Monastery of Jeronimos, while the Belem Palace and the Belem Cultural Center can be reached in about five minutes. The Belem Tower is about 20 minutes on foot. For business travelers, the Lisboa Congress Center takes 22 minutes to reach on foot (a five-minute drive or 12-minute bus ride). Pasteis de Belem, a famous bakery serving popular Portuguese desserts, is just around the corner, as are many other dining options. It’s too far to walk to the city center, but there are plenty of public transit stops like trains, trams, and buses that give access to the downtown area in about a half-hour. Lisbon's Portela Airport is about a 15- to 25-minute drive, depending on traffic, or 45 minutes via public transportation.

The hotel’s rooms have the same stylish and sleek aesthetic as the common spaces, with contemporary decor that features a burgundy or dark beige statement color. Light gray carpets, dark leather headboards, beige curtains, and dark wooden furniture come together to create a modern design, though with no art on the walls or decorative pieces, it can feel a bit stark. All rooms feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi (though some guests have complained about connectivity issues). Suites include kettles, and some rooms have private furnished terraces or charming balconies. Superior Monastery Rooms might be worth the upgrade as they offer lovely views of the Jeronimos Monastery. Most units have bathrooms with mint green walls, white marble counters and showers, and vessel sinks. Shower/tub combos, toiletries, bidets, and hairdryers are provided in each. 

The highlight here is the hotel's chic Bussaco Wine Bar, which serves rare Portuguese wines, small bites, traditional cream tarts, and Bussaco wines. There’s a charming outdoor terrace where guests can also enjoy a drink or treat. Each morning, a breakfast buffet is offered that includes meats, cheeses, pastries, and cereals. It’s included in most -- but not all -- rates. There’s a single fully-equipped meeting room on-site, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout, though some guests have reported connectivity issues in rooms and in the lobby. While the hotel doesn’t offer on-site parking, public parking is available nearby.