Brand new Lisbon hotels for Seatrade Cruise Med 2018

With the masses finally catching on to its appeal, Lisbon has become the travel destination of recent years, leading to a major development boom. In 2017, Europe’s sunniest city topped the HVS European Hotel Valuation Index with a 14.7% increase and a fourth consecutive year of double digit growth. This year, meanwhile, the city is opening 15 brand new hotels. From palatial five-stars to intimate design-led properties, here we look at the best hotels to have opened in Lisbon in the past 18 months, just in time for Seatrade Cruise Med 2018.

If you are attending Seatrade Cruise Med, which takes place at the FIL - Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre this September, you can access the official hotel deals from HotelMap here.

Lisbon’s best new historic hotels:

Verride Palácio Santa Catarina transforms a former 18th-century palace into a plush 19-room boutique hotel.

Transforming a derelict 18th century palace into a luxury hotel, The Lumiares is one of Lisbon’s best new openings of late. Local architects Metro Urbe have masterfully blended contemporary with traditional to create an attractive design-led property that nods to Portuguese heritage. The original stone staircase – the only remnant of the hotel’s former palatial life – is at the heart, sitting under a dramatic Beau McClellan-designed brass light installation, while 53 guestrooms, a spa and gym, two restaurants (one led by acclaimed chef Miguel Castro e Silva), and a rooftop bar make up the rest of the hotel. Locally created Art Deco artworks sit among bespoke furnishings and Lisbon’s signature blue and yellow boldly neighbour the hotel’s black and white motif in striking geometric designs. Sitting atop one of Lisbon’s seven hills, in the heart of the fashionable Bairro Alto neighbourhood, the location is also hard to beat.

Down the road, in the hip Chiado district, another 18th-century palace has been given a new lease of life. Having morphed into an art house, a financial institution and many more guises over the years, the four-storey building has now been refashioned as the handsome Verride Palácio Santa Catarina, a plush 19-room boutique hotel overlooking the Tagus river. Architect Teresa Nunes da Ponte took a sensitive approach to the upgrade, skillfully restoring original features – notably the wrought iron curved staircase, the 18th-century stuccowork, the Portuguese and Greek marble, and the original blue and white Azulejo tiles – and showcasing them against a muted yet sophisticated backdrop of soft beige, browns, blues and greys. The rooftop swimming pool and restaurant are not to be missed, boasting 360-degree views of Lisbon’s terracotta skyline.

At new luxury hotel The Lumiares Art Deco artworks sit among bespoke furnishings to create an attractive design-led property.

Two hotels that look back at Lisbon’s history are the Eurostars Museum and the Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel. The latter maintains the building’s original structure and facade while a 700-year-old wall – originally built to keep the Spanish at bay – discovered during excavation can be seen in the basement. Each of the hotel’s five floors has been designed with the history of the Portuguese empire in mind, stopping by Africa, Asia and Brazil, with each floor even being given its own appropriate scent. The five star Eurostars Museum, meanwhile, houses an archaeological exhibition that guides guests through different eras that define Lisbon’s identity today. Housed inside walls that witnessed the Roman occupation, Islamic invasions and the first journeys in search of a new world, the hotel offers contemporary and elegant accommodation, a traditional Portuguese restaurant and wellness facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and spa.

Lisbon’s best new contemporary hotels:

Introducing their members-based coliving concept to Europe, the new Outsite branch leads the way in the digital nomad generation.

Created with both leisure and business travellers in mind, the affordable Avani Avenida Liberdade puts comfort at the forefront.

Offering a more contemporary take on five star accommodation, the new Iberostar Lisboa introduces the Mallorcan chain to Portugal. Located in Baixa, the city’s business and shopping hub, the hotel provides high-tech touches like complimentary use of a smartphone inside and outside of the hotel, complete with 30 minutes of free local and international voice calls each day as well as internet access and use of popular apps. With a design by Portuguese firm Capinha Lopes Studio, the rooms and social spaces are clean and sophisticated with clean lines and a muted colour palette. Also in Baixa, the Altis Prata Hotel provides a home-away-from-home with 22 sleek and functional apartments fitted with fully-equipped kitchenettes and living spaces.

Another new opening catering to long-term stays is Outsite, who bring their coliving concept to Europe for the first time with this Lisbon opening. Leading the way in the digital nomad generation, the company are known for communal live/work spaces in beautiful places, launching in Santa Cruz and expanding across the US, Bali and Costa Rica. The largest Outsite to date, this branch is home to 25 rooms, numerous shared kitchen facilities and a ground floor coworking space and cafe. Rooms can be booked for just one night or guests can book entire monthly slots, enjoying a series of social events and communal activities during their stay.

Offering a contemporary take on five-star accommodation, the new Iberostar Lisboa blends high-class comfort with high-tech touches.

Debuting the Avani brand in Europe, Avani Avenida Liberdade opened last year, bringing contemporary accommodation to the heart of the city. Created with both leisure and business travellers in mind, the affordable hotel puts comfort at the forefront with practical yet stylish guestrooms and social spaces that accommodate work, socialising and relaxing. Guests can also take advantage of an on-site Portuguese restaurant, a sun terrace, a gym and business facilities.

Lisbon’s best new design hotels:

The latest success story from hotelier Jo?o Rodrigues, Santa Clara 1728 is one of Lisbon’s best recent openings.

Arriving early in 2017, Santa Clara 1728 still stands out as one of Lisbon’s best recent openings. One for design lovers, the striking six-suite hotel is the latest success story from hotelier Jo?o Rodrigues, an airline pilot for TAP who has now opened four design-led properties across Portugal. This latest venture sees him continue his relationship with local architect Manuel Aires Mateus, who meticulously restored the 18th-century house to ensure the original heritage remained while also adding a sense of serenity and comfort. Eggshell blue walls, a limestone staircase and marble touches form a backdrop for natural furnishings by designer Antonio Citterio and minimalist light installations by Davide Groppi. While there’s no restaurant, a communal kitchen serves homemade breakfasts, lunch on request and afternoon tea with scones and strawberries – Rodrigues and his family live upstairs so there’s a real sense of being part of a family home. The hotel’s location, atop one of the city’s seven hills, overlooking the Pantheon and on the same street as the legendary Feira da Ladra flea market, immerses guests even further into local Lisbon life.

The quirky WC Beautique Hotel fully immerses guests into its unique aqua-themed concept.

The clue is in the name at the WC Beautique Hotel Lisbon, which is themed around one giant bathroom. Dressed head to toe in aqua, the unique 41-room property – designed by Nini Andrade Silva – immerses guests from the outset with check-in taking place at a glass reception desk housing two freestanding egg-shaped bathtubs and staff dressed in silk green pyjamas or towelling dressing gowns. Bespoke furniture has been created to represent ripples of water while aquamarine vinyl floors give the sense of walking on water. The theme continues throughout the rooms and the basement restaurant, where guests can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes with a modern twist.

Lisbon’s best new boutique hotels:

The new Hotel da Baixa takes inspiration from the stories of Lisbon’s famous former residents.

The 1908 Lisboa leads the way in transforming Intendente into one of Lisbon's hippest neighbourhoods.

Taking its name from the year the award-winning Art Nouveau building was originally built, the 1908 Lisboa injects modern features into its historic home, reinterpreting the building to make it relevant to present day. Industrial elements and mid-century decor are a focal point while pieces by Portuguese artists Bordalo II, Irm?os Marques and Vanessa Teodoro can be found throughout the hotel and in the dedicated art gallery. The stylish new opening continues Intendente’s transformation from neglected neighbourhood to one of Lisbon’s hippest hotspots.

Housed in two buildings in downtown Lisbon – one of which retains it colourful green-tiled facade – Hotel da Baixa offers a more traditional take on a boutique hotel. Home to 66 spacious rooms that are larger than most in the Baixa district, the hotel takes inspiration from the stories of historical figures who have inhabited Lisbon over the centuries. Expect wallpaper designed with Marquis de Pombal’s Pombalino building system in mind, Art Deco influences inspired by modernist Pardal Monteiro and neoclassical furniture as a nod to Queen Dona Maria II. Rooms are classic yet stylish with a sophisticated colour palette a blend of contemporary and retro furnishings.

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A number of special hotel deals have been arranged for registered visitors and exhibitors for this year's Seatrade Cruise Med: Check out the hotel deals for Seatrade Cruise Med 2018.

CONTACT THE SEATRADE CRUISE MED CONCIERGE TEAM

If you are attending Seatrade Cruise Med you can access the official hotel deals from HotelMap here.

Alternatively, email: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 20 7292 2320. Get your local number.