Lawrence's Hotel

Frommer's Review

Lawrence's Hotel boasts a pedigree that's older than that of any other hotel in Iberia. It originated in the 1760s, when an eccentric but formidable English innkeeper (Jane Lawrence) established the hotel. Its fortunes were assured in 1809, when Lord Byron stayed here for a 12-day visit and publicized the virtues of Sintra and the hotel in his writings. After millions of dollars of expenditures, the hotel is now one of the most desirable inns in Portugal. It occupies a low-slung yellow building a short walk uphill from the center of town, on the road that leads to the Pena Palace. Because of the sloping terrain on which it sits, you enter from the street onto the third floor of a six-story building with a tasteful, completely unglitzy decor and the most recent in electronics and security devices. Bedrooms are airily furnished with tasteful replicas of 19th-century furniture, in a spirit of thrift that emulates that of a discreetly upscale private home. Some units have private terraces, and all have a combination tub/shower. Many of this hotel's famous visitors (Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Tony Blair, and the president of Portugal) have also eaten in the hotel's restaurant, which is described separately.

Facilities:
Restaurant; bar

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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