ForbesLife: Lisbon's Most Luxurious Retreats

Mosaic sidewalks, intricate tile designs, and pastel-hued buildings: Lisbon’s distinct and colorful personality shines from every cobbled hilltop and leafy square. And these six luxurious retreats—from centuries old palaces laden with Portuguese history to new boutiques brimming with local charm—are even more reason to visit the City of Seven Hills now.1. Palacio Belmonte Perched above old town Alfama with jaw-dropping views of Lisbon’s rustic red rooftops and River Tagus, this masterfully restored palace turned nine-suite hotel delivers the most unique Portuguese experience. Once the home of explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral—who discovered Brazil and hosted the likes of Vasco da Gama—the property’s 500-plus years of history echoes in every brick-domed ceiling, winding stone staircase, and blue-and-white tiled story. You can sleep in Roman or Moorish towers dating back to 123 B.C.; ogle ancient artifacts like a 19th century bathtub; or wander the secret garden with orange trees and indigenous flowers surrounding a slate swimming pool. And don’t be surprised if you bump into the eccentric owner in his bathrobe…it’s all part of the experience.Insider tip: Stay in the four-story Bartolomeu de Gusmao suite that comes with your own mini kitchen; marries ancient stone walls with a shockingly modern marble bathroom; and has a private rooftop terrace where you’ll be served breakfast on a silver platter alongside unrivaled vistas.2. Valverde Hotel Newly opened a year ago, this 25-room boutique charmer—with a gorgeous 19th-century façade—has a primo address on Avenida da Liberdade, a tree-lined boulevard with luxe shops and miles of strolling along Lisbon’s limestone tiled sidewalks. Designed like a bygone-era townhouse, the six-story property mixes vintage and modern Portuguese character with striped walls, dark paneling, mod lighting, geometric rugs and 1950s furnishings in colorful hues. For a cool urban oasis, head to the outdoor patio with a walled garden, lounge, and heated plunge pool—perfect for escaping the city buzz.Insider tip: At the hotel’s swanky Sitio Restaurant, the staff don Lacoste uniforms and serve up delicious traditional Portuguese dishes in a bistro-style setting with courtyard views.3. Pestana Palace David Beckham, Madonna, and Prince are just a few of the notable celebs who’ve slept in this deliriously ornate 19th century national monument that rivals the world’s best museums—thanks to its extraordinary 10-year reno. Spend your days wandering its glut of lavish salons dripping with original artwork: frescoed ceilings, stained glass windows, medallion reliefs, marble statues, exquisite oil paintings, and intricate woodwork. There’s also a private chapel; a former horse stable that looks like a mini mansion; and a fairytale-like garden strewn with palm trees and wild flora, complete with an Asian-style lake house, pool, and spa. In the evenings, lose yourself in the Allegro Bar’s romantic neoclassic design and live piano tunes.Insider tip: Book the Royal Manuel— possibly the world’s prettiest hotel suite ever—with original wood floors, ancient gilded ceilings and walls, a marble-carved vanity, clawfoot tub, and French doors that open to swoon-worthy vistas of the 25th of April Bridge.4. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon While the more modernist façade of this 10-story building may not appeal to everyone’s taste, this 282-room city escape epitomizes Lisbon elegance. Expect art deco meets 18th-century style furnishings; an airy marble-pillared lounge ideal for afternoon cocktails; and a gallery-worthy collection of contemporary Portuguese tapestries, paintings and sculptures. Rooms are sumptuous with closets galore, oversized beds, and balconies overlooking the Hotel’s gardens, Eduardo VII Park, Old Town, and Tagus River. Don’t miss: the rooftop spa with a glass-walled 59-foot heated indoor lap pool and open air running track with panoramic views.Insider tip: The hotel’s moto-sidecar tour is a must: you’ll strap on a helmet and fly through Lisbon’s cobbled hills on the side (or behind) a vintage-style motorbike for a crazy exhilarating ride. Then calm your nerves with a signature Portuguese almond and honey body scrub and massage in the hotel’s spa.5. Olissippo Lapa Palace This pink-hued, circa-1870 mansion has a majestic hilltop locale above the Tagus River in the Lapa Quarter. Inside, the décor is old world classic with marbled floors, original Portuguese tiles, portraits of bygone Lisbon aristocrats, and hand-drawn sketches of Lisbon life. Ask for a fifth floor suite and you’ll get a sprawling terrace overlooking old town and the property’s backyard garden—which is nothing short of stunning. We’re talking a secluded tropical paradise with centuries-old trees shading a gigantic plunge pool. In the evening, don’t miss live music and regional wine in the cozy Rio Tejo Bar.Insider tip: Perfect for a romantic stroll, the palace’s idyllic neighborhood is one Lisbon’s prettiest (and less touristed) with a slew of global embassies housed in beautiful 19th-century mansions with impressive grounds.6. Santiago de Alfama  Just opened in July, this revitalized 15th century mansion sits on a picturesque cobbled side street in the Alfama’s historic heart. The 19 light-flooded rooms are fashioned around an elegant, inner stone courtyard capped by a glass skylight with abstract art donning the walls. Book a suite with a view and the sparkling blue Tagus and leafy-emerald trees will pop in colorful contrast to the room’s minimalist furnishings in neutral hues. Spend your days exploring the Alfama’s winding, narrow alleyways, followed by light Portuguese fare at the hotel’s Café Audrey where you’ll dine al fresco beneath umbrellaed tables for an undeniably romantic setting.Insider tip: For a wild dose of history, make your way to the second floor where you can perch above a 2000-year-old Roman stone staircase via a see-through glass skywalk. **READ MY FULL ARTICLE ON FORBESLIFE.