Lapa Palace

Frommer's Review

In a palace built in 1870 for the count of Valença, this government-rated five-star hotel, purchased by Orient Express in 1998, is the most talked-about accommodations in Lisbon. We never thought we'd see a hotel replace the Four Seasons Hotel The Ritz as the city's premier address, but Lapa has done just that. In 1910, the de Valença family sold the villa and its enormous gardens to a wealthy, untitled family that retained it until 1988. After more than 4 years of renovation, it opened in 1992 amid a flurry of publicity. Its lushly manicured gardens lie close to the Tagus, south of the city center.

All but about 20 of the rooms are in a modern six-story wing. The spacious guest rooms in both sections contain amply proportioned marble surfaces, reproductions of French and English furniture, and a classic design inspired by a late-18th-century model. The marble bathrooms are among the city's most elegant, often adorned with bas-reliefs and containing tub/shower combinations and, in some cases, whirlpool tubs. Each unit opens onto a balcony. The older rooms have more charm and grace; many of the newer ones open onto panoramic vistas of Lisbon. The public areas have multicolored ceiling frescoes and richly patterned marble floors.

Facilities:
2 restaurants; bar; 2 pools (1 indoors); health club; spa; sauna; room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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