Pousada de Lisboa

A pending candidate to become a World Heritage Site, the Pousada de Lisboa lived its former life as the home to Portugal's Ministry of Internal Affairs. Today, its stately duties and spaces have been transformed into a luxury boutique with its own distinguished recognition as part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. While the overall vibe of the hotel maintains a contemporary vibe and look, carefully placed antiques and artifacts lend a classic touch. 

Under the historic stone arched walkway, across from the Praca do Comercio, the Pousada de Lisboa looks like a storefront more than a hotel. The hotel's reception area and lobby are large, colorful, and a stylish mix of contemporary interior decor and antiques. Lovers of eclectic style will love Pousada de Lisboa's vintage, maritime-themed ceiling wallpaper, mishmash of antique and modern furniture, and a stunning array of statues and artwork. Throughout the boutique, visitors will find hardwood floors, beautiful wall moldings, cutout and dome ceilings, and an attractive mix of old and new style. 

Positioned within Lisbon's downtown Baixa neighborhood -- filled with restaurants and cafes, outlets and stores, and good access to some of Lisbon's popular tourist stops -- Pousada de Lisboa has an enviable, almost perfectly central location. Travelers who don't mind walking on the cobblestone streets can find designer shops along the famous Avenida da Liberdade, the old-ruin neighborhood of Alfama, and the famous Feira da Ladra weekend flea market held behind the National Pantheon of Santa Engracia -- all within a 20- to 25-minute walk from the hotel. If not, access to public transportation is easy with the Baxia-Chaido Blue Line metro stop just a four-minute walk away, and a handful of buses and trams available at the Praca do Comercio. 

• One-minute walk to Parca do Comercio
• One-minute walk to MUDE Fashion and Design Museum
• Four-minute bus ride to the Lisbon Ferry Terminal 
• Five-minute metro ride to Avenida da Liberdade
• 15-minute walk to Cais do Sodres
• 17-minute walk to the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint
• 20-minute walk to Alfama 
• 25-minute bus ride to Belem neighborhood
• 30 minutes by bus and metro or 18 minutes by car to Lisbon Airport

All 90 rooms at the Pousada de Lisboa have stylish decor featuring pale cool and neutral tones, wall panels with ornate molding, hardwood flooring, chic furniture, and luxe blackout curtains. The Classic Room, with a large bed, wooden desk, and wall-mounted flat-screen TV, is the smallest of the bunch at 21 square meters (226 square feet). Deluxe Rooms offer a bit more room, plus a small seating area and balcony. Split-level Duplex Rooms are also available, as are Suites with a mix of colorful and wood-paneled walls, the latter adding a historic feel. It's good to note that while these are more spacious, they aren't true suites, as the sofa area is in the same room as the bed. 

Some rooms have stylish all-glass encased bathrooms, but curtains are provided for privacy. Sleek marble bathrooms have either showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and high-end Castelbel toiletries. Unlike most hotels in Europe, not all of Pousada de Lisboa's bathrooms have bidets. All rooms are equipped with bathrobes and slippers, fluffy towels, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and large flat-screen TVs. Suites have more extensive toiletry kits and espresso machines. Note that some guests have complained of noise from other guests and outside traffic due to thin walls.

For a city-center boutique, the Pousada de Lisboa sure packs a punch. Adding to its list of expected five-pearl features, guests here can access two rarities: a heated indoor pool and rooftop solarium. Both are part of the Pousada's range of spa facilities which also include a tiny three-piece gym, tranquil treatment rooms, and sauna. The rooftop solarium has enough space for 10 on stretched loungers, and the heated indoor pool is lit through a large skylight and best for dips, as there are only a couple of chairs.

The hotel has two bars, one of which is located in the adjacent restaurant, Lisboeta -- known for its rustic wine-cellar-like atmosphere and design and tasty Portuguese dishes. A free breakfast buffet with hot and cold choices such as scrambled eggs, sausages, fruit, and pastries is served in the lovely courtyard. This ground-level interior courtyard is covered by a removable dome, which helps keep the outdoor dining vibe alive throughout the year (and during bad weather). Just a warning, though, some guests have mentioned that breakfast time is buzzing. 

Other features include free high-speed Wi-Fi and a small business center.