Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel

The Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel is housed in an 18th-century building on a street full of shops and cafes in the busy Baixa district. Inside the hotel there's a pleasingly eclectic mix of modern style and historic details that reference Portuguese culture. Both the common areas and rooms contain many of the building’s original elements, like panels of Azujelos (traditional Portuguese painted ceramic tilework), Lioz stone walls, and a preserved metal spiral staircase. In the living room, a glass window in the floor showcases an old vault, while artwork on the walls illustrates different historical eras in Lisbon. The breakfast area is cozy, although located in a subfloor with no windows, and while the hotel offers guests a free welcome drink, the bar is small. The hotel draws travelers of all ages who want an upscale stay and don’t mind the noise and crowds outside. 

The Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of the Baixa Pombalina, an area that was rebuilt following the major earthquake of 1755. The neighborhood is a popular area with both locals and tourists and is now known for it’s high-quality shops, restaurants, bars, museums, theaters, and other hot spots in the center of the city. The Praca da Figueira and the Santa Justa Lift are an easy five-minute walk from the hotel, and it’s a 15- to 20-minute walk to the Castelo de S. Jorge. The nightlife in the Bairro Alto, as well as Lisbon’s oldest district -- the Alfama -- are both 20 minutes away on foot or 10 minutes by metro. The Baixa-Chiado Metro station is a 10-minute walk away. It will take 20 minutes by car (car or 45 minutes by metro) to reach Lisbon Portela Airport, and the Rossio train station is just a 10-minute walk or five-minute ride by car or metro from the hotel. 

The hotel’s 25 rooms are spread out on five floors, each of which depicts an important historic figure from Portuguese history, like fado singer Amalia Rodrigues or writer/philosopher Fernando Pessoa. Guests looking for colorful or trendy decor may be better off elsewhere, as rooms at the Lisboa Prata have a classic, minimalist look. However, the white linens and walls, occasional wildlife illustration or Azujelos tiles that are also in common areas -- as well as the sharp dark wood furniture -- create an a quietly elegant atmosphere. The hotel offers three room sizes without many differences, except that some offer accessible features for mobility impaired guests. All rooms have air-conditioning, telephones, minibars, safes, small LCD TVs tucked into a corner, kettles and selection of teas. We like the small touches, like candies that are left on the bed when rooms are cleaned. Bathrooms aren't fancy, but have upscale amenities like scales, hair dryers, and bathrobes (in Premier rooms). In-room Wi-Fi is free. Many of the rooms at the Lisboa Prata have balconies, although not all have city views. Keep in mind that the rooms with street views will pick up noise unless the soundproofed windows are closed. 

The Lisboa Prata Boutique Hotel has impressive amenities compared with similar boutique hotels, especially for its size, most notable of which is its 24-hour room service. Breakfast is available in the downstairs restaurant or via room service, but there is an added fee for every hot item tacked onto the continental offerings, which aren't included in the price of the rooms. A small lobby bar gives out a free welcome drink. There's a basic business center consisting of a table with a couple of computers, and the hotel has a common living room area for relaxing or socializing. Other services like laundry and babysitting are available on request. The hotel staff is available to book car rentals, store luggage, help with currency exchange, or book tours. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel rooms and common areas.