Lisbon Hotel Guide :: The Exclusive Elusive Lapa Palace

Where: Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4, Lisbon, Portugal, 1249-021

August 20, 2008 at 9:00 AM | 0 Comments

We can't talk about the Lisbon Hotel Scene without mentioning Lisbon's most decadent address, Lapa Palace.

Yet anyone not rich enough to stay there will almost certainly never see it - the Lapa Palace hides its gaily painted face in a little-visited area of Lisbon (Lapa), miles from the tourist sights, main roads and nightlife.

This is probably done to discourage the riff-raff from poking their noses in as prices range from €425 ($630) to €575 ($850) for a night in a superior room, all the way up to €1650 ($2435) for a deluxe room.

If money's no option and you don't mind not being within stumbling distance of the bars and restaurants, it's the top place to stay in Lisbon. The hotel was built in 1870 as a private house for a rich Count, surrounded by tranquil formal gardens and with a fabulous view over the river. Decorated by all sorts of famous artists - Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro among others.

It was taken over by the Orient Express group in 1998, who expanded it a few years later with another wing. It's remained a palace of sorts, and it even has a "ladies' boudoir" called the Louis XV room. We didn't see that - possibly it's kept closed until the evening....

The spa: every woman's dream. It's the only hotel in Lisbon (as far as we know -- ">please correct us) with a heated outdoor swimming pool. There's an indoor heated swimming pool too, along with a sauna, steam room, massage parlour and all the rest. And a gym for the men.

Yes, so the prices are screaming high compared to other hotels in Lisbon. But they do loads of deals if you can be flexible with dates, including family deals and three-for-two stays. If you want all the bells and whistles, a tranquil location and superb service to match, you can't go wrong here.

Tags: Lisbon Hotel Scene / Hotel Spas / Luxury Hotels / Monica Guy / Orient Express Hotels

by femmefatale

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