Avenida Palace Hotel, Lisbon

Most Famous Guests: Manuel Teixeira Gomes, François Mitterand, Rudolf Nureyev.

The 5 Star Avenida Palace is regarded as Lisbon, Portugal’s very first, and still grandest, luxury hotel. It was built in 1892, at the height of the Belle Epoque era, and its lavish art nouveau interiors have been wonderfully preserved.

It stands at the corner of Lisbon’s main avenue, Avenida Liberdade, the heart of the city, close to Bairro Alto and the Chiado, and right beside the beautiful, Late Portuguese Gothic, Rossio Station, a building which was in fact designed by the very same architect; José Luis Monteiro.

Though modern comforts and facilities are of course present; it is a 5 star hotel after all, Avenida Palace is all about old fashioned elegance, romance and opulence, and history buffs too will be intrigued by its reputation as a den of spies during WW2.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

The hotel has 82 chic rooms in total, including twenty suites. (Check your options on the booking page here). They all display lots of old world sophistication and elegance but with no comfort, modern or otherwise, spared. All are also well soundproofed and so despite the central location the noise of the city is kept to a minimum.

All the rooms and suites have a view, some over the city and some over the very charming inner courtyard, so either is good but if you’d prefer one over the other just put in a request after you make the reservation.

You’ll find many nice little old style features around and everything is immaculately maintained, both the rooms and the hotel in general. The lobby is particularly impressive with its high ceiling and arches, gold framed mirrors, stained glass and deep red hues.

Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, Avenida Palace doesn’t have a formal restaurant but it does serve a lavish breakfast every morning in the equally lavish grand dining hall. Various dishes can though be ordered throughout the day at the cosy old style bar which also offers a full selection of drinks, or in the Palace lounge or from room service.

Afternoon tea is available at the Palace Lounge with sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a good selection of teas while at the music lounge you can enjoy live performances, usually classical, jazz or fado, and usually involving its grand piano.

There is a small gym at the hotel with the usual exercise equipment and massage services are available too. The concierge can help you get the best out of the city of Lisbon and if work is involved in your stay there is a business centre with secretarial services available.

THE LOCATION:

The Hotel Avenida Palace stands on a corner of Avenida Liberdade; the very centre of Lisbon and close to Bairro Alto and the Chiado. All major points of interest are within walking distance while Lisbon Airport is less than a half an hour away. It is also right next door to Rossio Railway Station.

WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY:

“Wonderful grande dame of Lisbon hotels: Amazing hotel, wonderful service from staff. Really old fashioned, ‘proper’ palace hotel. Everything about our stay here was fantastic and we will always stay here from now on when we are in Lisbon…”

“We loved this hotel. The staff was wonderful. The breakfast buffet was excellent. Very special was a pianist playing at 7:00PM many of the nights we were there. The bar had a great atmosphere. This historical hotel is well maintained and a jewel. The location could not be better for the metro, the train station, restaurants and walking to sights…”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO CHOOSE YOUR ROOM OR SUITE AT AVENIDA PALACE HOTEL, LISBON:

Location Category:

Castle Hotels in Portugal

Castle Hotels near Lisbon