Latest news with #hotels
Wall Street Journal
33 minutes ago
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
Should You Travel With a Carbon-Monoxide Detector?
This may not top your vacation-packing list, but by the time you're done reading this column, it may well be: a carbon-monoxide alarm. Yes, that's right. Carbon monoxide—that invisible, odorless silent killer—could be a risk in your hotel room. Unfortunately there's no real way of knowing how protected you are unless you take precautions.
Hospitality Net
16 hours ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
STR Weekly Insights: 18-24 May 2025
Highlights Normal demand for Memorial Day weekend Top 25 Markets lifted RevPAR at the start of the week Luxury hotels continue to outperform the rest of the industry Global RevPAR strengthened Memorial Day weekend shows the resolve of travelers With the unofficial start to summer, TSA screening volume on Friday, 23 May was the third highest for any day in history. One day earlier, Thursday, was the fifth highest. For the week, U.S. hotels produced steady RevPAR growth of 1.1% as average daily rate (ADR) advanced 1.5% and occupancy decreased 0.3 percentage points (ppts). The Friday and Saturday ahead of Memorial Day produced normal demand levels for the holiday weekend (+18K year over year), reflecting a steadfast consumer with an appetite for travel. The number of rooms sold for the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was the third highest on record and less than 1% behind 2022 and 2019. Occupancy came in at 76.4%, just 0.4 ppts behind last year and 0.1 ppts behind 2023. ADR growth was also similar to the last two Memorial Day weekend (+0.1% this year, +0.2% last year and +0.1% in 2023). — Source: STR — Source: STR — Source: STR The start of the week was lifted by the Top 25 Markets with RevPAR on Monday through Thursday averaging +3.0%, driven entirely by ADR. Several T25 markets hosted large conferences at the beginning of the week, led by San Francisco with RevPAR advancing 24.3%. The weekend saw the greatest gains in cities outside the T25. — Source: STR — Source: STR Luxury on top again Luxury hotels dominated performance across the chains scales with RevPAR rising 6.8%, driven primarily by ADR. Upper Upscale and Upscale followed at more subdued levels, just under 2.0%. Upper Midscale posted flat RevPAR and Economy declined 2.5%. Global performance remained healthy Global RevPAR, excluding the U.S., increased 7.4% with Japan leading the charge followed by strong performance in Germany with triple-digit RevPAR gains in Dusseldorf and Cologne. France and Mexico also saw healthy gains. — Source: STR Looking ahead A full summary of Memorial Day weekend will be available in next week's data, however, the respectable performance on Friday and Saturday as well as year-over-year growth in TSA numbers this past week (+0.5%) points to a good result. Looking further into June, advance bookings in the U.S. are up from last year in aggregate, while July and August are seeing some softness—likely due to shorter booking windows. The start of summer break is slightly later for students this year, which could push back some leisure travel. Outside the U.S., performance should remain up as summer holidays commence across much of the world. — Source: STR Updated Forecasts The updated U.S. hotel forecast from CoStar and Tourism Economics will be released at NYU IHIF on Monday, 2 June. Global market forecast reports will be available by Tuesday, 3 June. *Analysis by Isaac Collazo, Chris Klauda. * All financial figures in U.S. dollar constant currency. About CoStar Group, Inc. CoStar Group (NASDAQ: CSGP) is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets. Founded in 1987, CoStar Group conducts expansive, ongoing research to produce and maintain the largest and most comprehensive database of real estate information. CoStar is the global leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, enabling clients to analyze, interpret and gain unmatched insight on property values, market conditions and availabilities. is the leading online marketplace for renters seeking great apartment homes, providing property managers and owners a proven platform for marketing their properties. LoopNet is the most heavily trafficked online commercial real estate marketplace with thirteen million average monthly global unique visitors. STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics, and marketplace insights for the global hospitality industry. Ten-X offers a leading platform for conducting commercial real estate online auctions and negotiated bids. is the fastest growing online residential marketplace that connects agents, buyers, and sellers. OnTheMarket is a leading residential property portal in the United Kingdom. BureauxLocaux is one of the largest specialized property portals for buying and leasing commercial real estate in France. Business Immo is France's leading commercial real estate news service. Thomas Daily is Germany's largest online data pool in the real estate industry. Belbex is the premier source of commercial space available to let and for sale in Spain. CoStar Group's websites attracted over 163 million average monthly unique visitors in the third quarter of 2024. Headquartered in Washington, DC, CoStar Group maintains offices throughout the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Asia. From time to time, we plan to utilize our corporate website, as a channel of distribution for material company information. For more information, visit This news release includes "forward-looking statements" including, without limitation, statements regarding CoStar's expectations or beliefs regarding the future. These statements are based upon current beliefs and are subject to many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. The following factors, among others, could cause or contribute to such differences: the risk that future media events will not sustain an increase in future occupancy rates. More information about potential factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those stated in CoStar's filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in CoStar's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Forms 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2023, each of which is filed with the SEC, including in the "Risk Factors" section of those filings, as well as CoStar's other filings with the SEC available at the SEC's website ( All forward-looking statements are based on information available to CoStar on the date hereof, and CoStar assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
2 Books About Hotel Life
By Leah Greenblatt Dear Readers, Perhaps you are familiar with this rabbit hole: I went online recently to make what should have been a simple booking for a short trip and promptly lost several hours of my life (without, somehow, finding an actual hotel). But what a window into humanity! Is there a better form of flash fiction than the one-star reviews on popular travel sites? These screeds have everything: hauntings, bedbugs, moral injury. Even the dullest airport Marriott, though — the nubbly carpet, the sad little cups — seems to exist somewhere outside of everyday life. That's what I like about books set amid temporary lodgings, too; like maritime law or that free zone in Denmark, they allow for other codes. Consider this week's newsletter picks, touched with mayhem and strange currencies. For the price of a good stoop sale or a library card, you can check out any time you like and you can, in fact, leave. I hope you'll read on anyway. —Leah 'Hotel Splendide,' by Ludwig Bemelmans Nonfiction, 1941 Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Madrid 2025
The best hotels in Madrid beckon travelers with a dynamic blend of thoughtful amenities, historic architecture and locations ideal for exploring the city's many diverse neighborhoods. From tasty tapas to thrilling flamenco performances to world-class museums like the Prado and Reina Sofia, immersive cultural experiences can be found here at every turn. To choose Madrid's best accommodations, we tapped experts like Jamie Tice, a travel advisor at Fora, who knows the ins and outs of the city. Our top recommendation is the Rosewood Villa Magna, thanks to its spacious rooms and ideal Salamanca location. We also recommend the Santo Mauro, A Luxury Collection Hotel for families and the Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza for couples. Below, the best hotels in Madrid in 2025. Guest room at the Rosewood Villa Magna. Madrid's leafy Salamanca neighborhood comes highly recommended by Tice, and the Rosewood Villa Magna—perched on the swanky Paseo de la Castellana—is a great all-around choice. Its location places guests close to excellent boutique shopping, and its spacious rooms feature king-size beds, lacquer-trimmed furnishings, marble baths and dark wood chevron-patterned flooring. Common areas are equally cozy, with an open-plan setting and plush seating ideal for lounging, and the property's Sense spa offers a standout Turkish marble hammam that's not to be missed. For meals, guests can choose between Flor y Nata's traditional afternoon tea, grilled Spanish cuisine at Las Brasas de Castellana, Michelin-star chef Jesús Sánchez's signature Cantabrian cuisine at Amós, or light tapas and cocktails at Tarde.O—the latter three offering beautiful al fresco seating options. A treat for families: With the exception of Amós, all children under age 12 eat free. Doble Treatment Room at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. Opening its doors in 2020, the Four Seasons Madrid is an ideal marriage of high-end accommodations and authentic Spanish flavor. Located on the uber-central square of Puerta Del Sol, the hotel features 200 elegantly adorned rooms and 22 residences all housed in seven historic buildings that were merged together. Dining includes elevated Andalusian cuisine at Michelin-star chef Dani Garcia's namesake Dani, as well as creative cocktails and Mediterranean and Asian dishes at Isa Restaurant and Cocktail Bar. Art lovers will have no shortage of things to see (the hotel has over 1,500 art pieces on display), and the property's expansive wellness area features a spa, fitness center, hair salon, glass-covered heated and cold water pools, eight plush treatment rooms, and—for extra opulence—a gold-dusted relaxation area. Main courtyard at CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha. The Palacio de Atocha, the one-time lavish home of a high-ranking navy official, is now a retro-modern 34-room boutique stay in Madrid's literary district, Las Letras. The building, constructed in 1852, retains glamorous vintage touches: a winding staircase, a granite garden fountain, wrought-iron courtyard detailing and the former carriage entrance, which mixes curiously well with the neon signage and contemporary artwork sprinkled around the premises. Guest rooms here offer a real taste of palatial living, with antique moldings, modish velvet furnishings, and black and white marble baths. At meal time, the property's restaurant, El Patio de Atocha, serves a creative fusion of international cuisines and regional ingredients in an airy, blue canopy space with views of the property's pool and garden. Penthouse with terrace at 7 Islas Hotel. Family-run since opening its doors in 2002, Madrid's industrial-hip 7 Islas Hotel is a creative stay in the city's urban art enclave of Malasaña. The hotel's curated artwork rotates every few months, and the on-site 7 Kitchen & Bar serves Mediterranean bites and craft cocktails. With nightly rates hovering around $150 during peak season, accommodations here offer great value: Guests can choose from cozy Easy rooms to penthouse suites with luxe terraces, all with a clean, minimalist aesthetic comprising natural wood floors, metal trunk storage, printed throw rugs and woven leather and metal headboards. All rooms feature minibars with artisan products, quality bedding, Malin+Goetz amenities, and full bar menu room service for an exceptional homestay at a competitive price. Suite at the Santo Mauro, A Luxury Collection Hotel Words like 'grand' and 'aristocratic' come to mind describing Santo Mauro, the 19th-century neoclassical Duke's residence-turned-luxury-hotel in Madrid's quiet Chamberí district. The property consists of three buildings surrounded by enchanting manicured gardens with dense trees and wrought-iron and marble patio sets with fringed parasols—an ideal spot for couples seeking a romantic escape. High-ceilinged antique-filled banquets and sitting rooms, each more striking than the next, occupy the lounge area, while room names such as The Red Room match their themes. After drinks at La Coctelería bar, guests can choose between the refined La Biblioteca restaurant, a former library featuring walls lined with bookshelves; Gresca, an ornate see-and-be-seen hotspot; or the property's charming garden terrace. The Petit Palace Room at the Petit Palace Lealtad Palace. Elegant and understated, Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza's vividly-painted lounges, eye-catching wall art and prime location near many of Madrid's most family-friendly attractions make it a solid choice for travelers of all ages. With complimentary strollers, a stay here makes it easy to experience all that the city has to offer, like the Botanical Gardens, El Retiro Park and the Prado Museum. At check-in, young visitors will immediately feel at home with a selection of toys from a collaboration with UNICEF and a dedicated play area to give parents a breather. Depending on the size of your brood, family rooms with bunk beds, cribs, extra beds and multimedia devices are available to keep children entertained. At breakfast time, high chairs and special children's menus complete the hotel's kid-friendly initiative. Suite at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. Situated in Madrid's tony Golden Triangle of Art, home to the famed Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, and just a short jaunt to El Retiro Park, the Mandarin Oriental Ritz offers an impeccable location near the city's big sights. All 100 rooms and 53 suites ooze sophistication with leather headboards, white marble bathrooms, ultra-comfort beds, a maxi bar and a neutral color palette. The rooms here are particularly great for groups, as all Deluxe rooms and suites offer connecting rooms; the Grand Suite, in particular, has a king bed and four twin beds. The on-site dining, all conceptualized by Michelin-star chef Quique Dacosta, is not to be missed, especially the grand reception area that leads to the glass-domed Palm court, where breakfast and afternoon tea are served alongside a Champagne bar serving first-rate bubbly and caviar. The Madrid Edition. Design lovers are sure to appreciate The Madrid Edition's modern aesthetic, which welcomes guests with a magnificently sculpted spiral staircase that leads to the sleek spaces inside. The hotel's 200 rooms, including 23 suites, are all dressed in fashionable white and cream, with backlit headboards inspired by the 18th-century baroque portal out front and glam elements like faux-fur throws and head-to-toe drapery. The Lobby Bar, the nucleus of the hotel, is offset by a pool table made with a slab of white marble and a cobalt blue top, while a pink-kissed corridor leads to the first of two restaurants, Jerónimo, where Mexican-inspired cuisine is served in four distinct settings. Other notable design features include a double-long green bar, canary yellow banquettes, and specially designed light fixtures. Terraza at The Principal Madrid. Classic in look and essence and with just 76 rooms, The Principal Madrid welcomes guests in a space designed for both comfort and leisure. Built in 1917, the building is filled with artwork, furnishings and knick-knacks that pay tribute to the turn-of-the-century architecture that inspired it. The color scheme—a fusion of muted greens, golds, taupes and splashes of red—alongside Ramón Freixa's plush Ático restaurant and a private-use wellness suite add elegant touches of splendor. The star of the show, however, is the grand rooftop terrace, offering arresting panoramic views over the city's main thoroughfare and the Broadway of Madrid, Gran Via, and emblematic buildings like the Círculo de Bellas Artes and the Bank of Spain. Guests can opt for a traditional cocktail at the olive-tree-lined La Terraza or enjoy a bite at the bistro-inspired La Pérgola. Picos Pardos Sky Lounge by Martini at the Bless Hotel. Bless Hotel Madrid is located in the elegant Salamanca district, neighboring the city's most exclusive shops and restaurants. The property comes highly recommended by Tice, who touts its surrounding area as top-notch: 'Staying at Bless Hotel allowed me to enjoy afternoon tea while staying close to the shops and enjoying the walkability of the beautiful area,' she says. Bedrooms here are bright with hardwood floors, oversized beds, patterned rugs and a hint of whimsy from the nature print wallpaper, while public spaces continue the eclectic feel with a cozy spa, virtual training room and the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Fetén. The property's crown jewel is its stylish rooftop sky lounge, complete with an emerald-tiled swimming pool that is sure to refresh after a long day on the town. The wellness area is an intimate space highlighted by a rectangular circuit pool fitted with paneled woods and neutral patterned walls. Neoclassical on the outside and with a modern interior, Urso Hotel & Spa preserves its rich architectural history with elements like stained glass windows and a fully functional antique elevator. The 78 rooms here are bright and inviting, with hardwood floors, full-length curtains and comfy deluxe bedding—all in a serene area of the city that's not far from the sights. 'The hotel is just on the outskirts of the city's busy-ness but close enough to walk to old town charm,' says Tice, who often recommends Urso to clients. Wellness is the standout here—the property's tranquil facility comprises a tiny techno gym, a Turkish hammam with aromatic eucalyptus scents and four treatment rooms. Premium spa brands Natura Bissé and Comfort Zone are used for all services, and treatments are customized and can be purchased in packs of up to 15 for future use. The vibe is at once eccentric and sumptuous with its maze of sitting rooms packed with plush furnishings and offbeat decór. Only You Boutique Hotel sits near the heart of Madrid's bustling Chueca district, lined with bars and clubs. Inside, the energy continues with an eccentric and sumptuous atmosphere: A maze of quirky sitting rooms packed with plush furnishings and whimsical décor (think: a faux rhino head and a suitcase wall) greets guests as they enter. Bedrooms in this former 19th-century mansion are a touch more subdued while still echoing the grandeur of common areas with framed vintage Madrid maps, velvet headboards, geometric rugs and giraffe-print robes. The unconventional feel continues with Asian-inspired massages at the Thai Room, a 24-hour gym and the white Patio of Platos, a courtyard stacked with chinoiserie-print plate wall displays that triple as a lounge, dining area and event space. The rooms have been remodeled to reflect the hotel's storied heritage. Inaugurated in 1912, the The Palace exudes history: Formerly known as the Westin Palace, it was the go-to hangout spot for Spanish creatives like Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel in the 1920s before becoming a field dressing hospital during the Spanish Civil War. Recently taken over by Marriott's Luxury Collection, the hotel still offers a storied atmosphere that can be found everywhere you look, from the 17th-century tapestries in common areas to the La Rotunda Restaurant's crystal chandelier and ornate stained glass Art Nouveau cupola. The 470 rooms, of which 50 are suites, have been meticulously remodeled to reflect the hotel's heritage and are bathed in ivory with period wallpaper art, bespoke furnishings, marble fireplaces and a pop of modern color. The splendid LobByto Bar is a design marvel featuring art deco-style leather, velvetback furnishings and a bronze-trimmed island bar. Another historic property, Madrid's Gran Hotel Inglés is the oldest hotel in Madrid and has hosted no shortage of legendary artists, including Henri Matisse and Virginia Woolf, since opening its doors in 1886. Continuing the artistic theme, the property's central location in Barrio de las Letras is steps away from tons of art galleries and bohemian haunts (Ernest Hemingway went on many famous bar crawls here) as well as the popular Paseo del Arte. The hotel's décor, particularly the LobByto Bar, is something to behold: Featuring Art Deco furnishings and a bronze-trimmed island bar with a hanging liquor cabinet, it feels like it dropped into the building right out of a time machine. The generous space multitasks as a discreet guest check-in area, themed live music host, afternoon tea service and a weekend brunch hot spot that artsy guests are sure to appreciate. Rooms have classic furnishings, ambient lighting and contrasting woods, reflecting a sophisticated style reminiscent of the property's aristocratic backstory. A short distance from Calle Serrano, the city's most exclusive shopping street, and a 20-minute strut to Gran Via's fast fashion boutiques, the 44-room Hotel Único Madrid welcomes visitors looking for a quiet respite in a boutique setting. The property's refined elegance is showcased in the common area library and its classic winding staircase spotlighting a vividly red sculpture. Rooms are filled with traditional furnishings, ambient lighting and contrasting woods, reflecting a sophisticated style inspired by the property's aristocratic backstory. Treatments at the spa feature luxury skincare brand Natura Bissé in the indulgent face and body treatments, while the well-equipped gym can provide personal trainers to keep fitness schedules on track. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research. My name is Astrid Taran and I'm the senior travel editor at Forbes Vetted, where I oversee hotel coverage. I have covered travel for almost a full decade as both a writer and editor. Along with extensively writing about hotels and airlines, I have also written multiple destination guides as well as long-form features on luxury travel, adventure travel, wellness travel and more.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Best hotels in Lisbon in 2025 for city views and rooftop sunsets
Lisbon has been enjoying its moment in the sun for the better part of a decade, drawing visitors with its extraordinary architectural tapestry – Moorish influences mingling with Gothic cathedrals, Manueline extravagance, and Pombaline pragmatism – cobbled streets lined with traditional tascas and hip pavement café-bars, and an irrepressible energy. Now firmly on the map as one of Europe's top city breaks, the Portuguese capital has a hotel scene to match – varied, vibrant and packed with personality. Whether you're sipping cocktails on a rooftop in Chiado, slipping into an azulejo-adorned spa in Belém or living it up in a former royal residence, there's no shortage of stylish stays. Lisbon artfully blends its centuries-old heritage (it's the second oldest capital city in Europe after Athens) with contemporary flair and thoughtful design. The city's unique aesthetic – where ornate Baroque facades stand alongside colourful Art Nouveau buildings and earthquake-resistant Pombaline grid patterns – creates an architectural playground for hoteliers. The last few years have brought a wave of boutique openings, slick aparthotels and arty guesthouses, sitting alongside grand dame institutions and sumptuous palace conversions. There's something for every budget too – whether you're after five-star pampering, a creative crash pad or a heritage hideaway, these hand-picked stays deliver on design, comfort and location. Best hotels in Lisbon 2025 At a glance The city's compact size and reliable transport links mean it's easy to navigate, and there's a hotel for every budget, from affordable boltholes in Alfama to sprawling residences on Avenida da Liberdade, even tucked-away hillside hotels offer easy access to the sights. Lucy Bryson, destination expert Best hotels in Lisbon 2025 1. Memmo Alfama hotel One of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon in Lisbon is getting lost in the maze-like streets of hilly Alfama - just be sure not to do so while hauling luggage to this boutique hotel. Hidden on a narrow backstreet, Memmo Alfama made waves when it opened in 2013 as the first contemporary design hotel in this ancient neighbourhood. It occupies a tastefully restored historic building perched high in Lisbon's oldest district, where original architectural features have been paired with clean-lined modern interiors. The 42 rooms feature a minimalist aesthetic with whitewashed walls, natural materials, and selective art pieces – some offering river-view balconies. The showstopper is undoubtedly the red-tiled infinity pool and wine bar terrace (it's not a child-friendly set up, so the hotel is off-limits to under-16s) where guests can enjoy petiscos and Portuguese wines while admiring panoramic views across Alfama's labyrinth of ancient streets toward the Tagus. 2. Torel Palace Lisbon hotel Famously built on seven hills, Lisbon's miradouros (viewpoints) are in high demand with visitors, but this former royal residence in the otherwise unassuming Pena neighbourhood provides guests with some of the most dramatic vistas in town from its sunny terrace, two outdoor pools, and spacious, light-flooded rooms. The beautifully restored five-star boutique hotel feels like a retreat from the busy tourist hotspots, but its location right next to the Ascensor da Lavra (the oldest of Lisbon's funiculars) takes the legwork out of reaching Avenida da Liberdade. With a small-but-chic spa, a cosy British-inspired bar, and two impressive restaurants (including Michelin-starred 2Monkeys) on site, alongside leafy gardens and those incredible views, it can be hard to leave the grounds. 3. Palácio do Governador hotel Time-layers collide spectacularly in this 16th-century palace that once housed Belém Tower's Governor. During renovation, workers unearthed extensive Roman ruins, now seamlessly incorporated throughout – most dramatically in the luxurious 1,200-square-metre underground spa built within the former chapel. Many of the 60 rooms retain original features like vaulted ceilings alongside modern comforts. A palm-fringed outdoor pool provides post-sightseeing refreshment, while the on-site restaurant Po Tat (Cantonese for 'Portuguese tart') serves excellent Portuguese-Asian fusion cuisine largely undiscovered by tourists. Just steps from Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower itself, it's a blissful escape from the crowds that converge outside the legendary Pasteis de Belem, serving Lisbon's most celebrated custard tarts. 4. Bairro Alto Hotel Sitting pretty on the boundary between shopping-centric Chiado and nightlife-heavy Bairro Alto, this landmark hotel underwent an ambitious expansion in 2019 under Pritzker Prize-winner Eduardo Souto de Moura. Now occupying a full city block, its 87 rooms blend contemporary design with Portuguese craftsmanship – think hand-painted tiles, local textiles and artisanal furniture. The rooftop bar remains one of Lisbon's most coveted sunset spots, with sweeping Tagus views and creative cocktails to match. Below, BAHR restaurant serves inventive Portuguese dishes overseen by renowned chef Nuno Mendes. Despite the buzzing location, excellent soundproofing ensures a good night's sleep. 5. The Lumiares hotel As light-filled and luminous as its name suggests, this converted 18th-century palace offers a serene stay just steps from one of Lisbon's most popular viewpoints. It's located on the edge of lively Bairro Alto, but solid soundproofing ensures a good night's sleep after an evening of bar-hopping or dining at the many nearby tascas. There's art deco flair throughout, and style meets substance in each of the 53 rooms and suites, all of which feature kitchenettes equipped with Portuguese ceramics for those who choose to self-cater. First port of call should be the rooftop bar, where you can tuck into petiscos and cocktails accompanied by one of the best sundown views in the city. There's a small spa, which feels like a blessing after a hot afternoon's sightseeing on Lisbon's steep cobbled streets. 6. The Vintage Lisbon hotel Tucked away on a residential side street between Avenida da Liberdade and leafy Príncipe Real, The Vintage delivers retro chic in spades. Guests can mix themselves a perfect G&T from the in-room cocktail stations, while jewel-toned velvets and vintage-style Roberts radios create a sophisticated 1950s atmosphere throughout the 56 rooms. A fragrant subterranean spa offers post-sightseeing recovery, while the rooftop bar provides sunset cocktails with São Jorge Castle views. The restaurant showcases seasonal Portuguese ingredients with contemporary flair. Despite its fashionable credentials, the hotel maintains a relaxed, unpretentious vibe in an ideal location for exploring both downtown attractions and the quieter residential districts nearby. Address: R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 2, 1250-191 Lisboa 7. Solar do Castelo hotel For a truly unique Lisbon experience, check into this intimate 20-room hotel within the ancient walls of São Jorge Castle. Built on the site of the former royal kitchens, it blends medieval stonework and wooden beams with comfortable furnishings and modern amenities. The tranquil garden courtyard, regularly visited by the castle's resident peacocks, provides a welcome escape from the tourist crowds outside. While reaching the hotel requires tackling a steep climb or a taxi ride, the payoff is exceptional – after the castle closes to the public each evening, guests can enjoy the spectacular city views in peace and quiet, before descending into Alfama's lantern-lit streets for dinner at a traditional fado house. Address: R. das Cozinhas 2, 1100-181 Lisboa 8. Casa do Barão hotel Don't judge this central Chiado hotel by its modest entrance – step through the sturdy front door to discover a hidden oasis in one of Lisbon's busiest neighbourhoods. The converted 18th-century townhouse has just 12 individually styled rooms, featuring high ceilings, large windows and tasteful furnishings. Some rooms open onto private terraces perfect for evening drinks or breakfast al fresco. The secluded garden with dipping pool is a rare find in central Lisbon, and decanters of port await visitors to the cosy library, where the shelves are stacked with enough books to keep even the most voracious reader entertained for months. The owners have filled every corner with treasures from their Brazilian adventures and works by Portuguese artists like Vhils. It's just minutes from both Chiado's elegant shops and Bairro Alto's nightlife, but feels like stepping into the home of a particularly stylish and well-read friend. 9. Hotel Convento do Salvador Proving that style doesn't have to cost a fortune, this converted convent in Alfama delivers surprising bang for your buck. The 43 rooms feature pared-back design that allows the building's historic features – arched doorways, corridors and thick stone walls – to shine through. Throughout the hotel, works by contemporary Portuguese artists add pops of colour to the minimalist white backdrop, with corridors functioning as gallery spaces. A sunny courtyard terrace offers respite after navigating Alfama's tourist-heavy lanes, while the location puts you within easy reach of the cathedral, castle, and the iconic 28 tram route. Be prepared for an uphill climb to reach it – but the panoramic views and sense of being in historic Lisbon make the effort worthwhile. 10. Mama Shelter Lisboa hotel Since opening in 2022, this outpost of the playful French hotel chain has proved a major draw for hip locals keen to party on the rooftop, as well as visitors looking for a Lisbon stay that leaves enough room in the travel budget for cocktails and craft beer. The 130 rooms range in size – some rather compact, making them better for weekend getaways than extended stays – but all feature comfortable beds, rainfall showers and free movies. Bold patterns, vibrant colours and eclectic furnishings create a distinctly youthful atmosphere throughout the property. Up on the roof, a bar with panoramic views hosts DJ sets with craft cocktails at weekends, while the ground-floor restaurant centres around a vast island bar serving international comfort food. For the price, the design credentials and central location are hard to beat, especially for those seeking a sociable stay. 11. Locke de Santa Joana hotel The first Portuguese venture from design-led British aparthotel brand Locke attracts both weekend city-breakers and digital nomads with deep pockets. Set within a restored 17th-century convent blended with contemporary additions, the 369 studios and one-bedroom apartments feature fully-equipped kitchenettes and thoughtful Portuguese design touches that earned a 2024 Wallpaper Design Award. The expansive co-working spaces buzz with MacBook-toting professionals, while the well-equipped gym and tranquil inner courtyards with pool provide much-needed downtime between sightseeing jaunts. The on-site Kissaten – a Japanese-inspired listening bar from London's acclaimed Spiritland team – draws a trendy crowd with its exceptional sound system and creative cocktails. Though not in the tourist centre, good metro connections make downtown easily accessible for both short-term tourists and longer-stay residents. Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.
