Hotel Snapshot
Hidden behind heavy green doors on a quiet residential street in Lisbon’s smartest city-centre district, Palácio Príncipe Real is a stylish oasis of calm. The lovingly restored 19th-century mansion combines stately old-world grandeur with a distinctive personal touch that comes from the charming—and impeccably refined—sensibilities of its British owners.
Design and Character
Originally built in 1877, the pastel-pink Palacio retains many of the heritage features that made it one of the grandest family residences in the city—including magnificent hand-painted arabesque ceilings and a sweeping central staircase—but what elevates the property are the accents of modern luxury and whimsical design touches throughout, such as the runner duck motif that you’ll see everywhere.
The Rooms
With just 25 rooms and suites, the Palácio feels more like a chic city townhouse than sprawling grande dame, and while no two rooms are exactly alike—the suites, for example, boast freestanding roll top baths—all are spacious and airy, and each reflects the owners’ desire to curate a faultless experience for their guests. The Smeg fridges stocked—and re-stocked daily—with complimentary local beers, wines, and juices are a particularly welcome touch.
Food & Drink
EVOO—Palácio’s restaurant, named for the ecological brand of Extra Virgin Olive Oil that the owners produce on their own farm in Spain, and which is a deliciously nutty feature of most dishes—serves food from 8am to 10.30pm, further enhancing the feeling that you’re staying at the home of a dear friend. After an expertly made cocktail in the snug environs of the bar, it’s time to enjoy the mainly plant-based menu, which is best described as modern-Mediterranean with the occasional exotic twist—reflecting the owners’ globetrotting adventures. So you’ll find quinoa mediterranean salad and roasted halloumi sitting alongside a fusion salad that includes black rice, edamame beans, pickled cucumber, baby tomatoes, tofu and Ponzu sauce. Everything is made from scratch, with ingredients sourced locally, and if you can refrain from re-ordering the delicious Pastéisde Bacalhau—Portuguese salt cod fritters—then you are a more restrained diner than we.
Amenities
The saltwater infinity pool would—in most hotels—be the standout feature, but it must play second fiddle to the sprawling, bougainvillea-fringed gardens within which it stands. Such lush, expansive greenery is a rarity in Lisbon’s crowded cityscape, and time spent sitting on the sun terrace, in quiet contemplation, with just the towering purple jacaranda tree for company, is a joy.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
A small but expertly formed spa offers a host of excellent massages and facials, and the owners are rightly proud of the new INDIBA machine—part of a push to establish the Palácio as a wellness retreat in 2026—which can be used for rejuvenating facial therapies as well as a treatment for body pain, cellulite and scars. Vibration Healing with Tibetan Bowls, and complimentary thrice-weekly yoga classes complete the package.
Location & Neighbourhood Recs
The district of Príncipe Real is undeniably one of Lisbon’s most picturesque – and its hilltop setting means it also offers a terrific vantage point from which to survey the rest of the city, particularly from the nearby Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Many visitors will head to the livelier quarters of Bairro Alto and Chiado for their entertainment, but there are some terrific local restaurants within a short walk, such as the current must-visit Magnolia, as well as a healthy selection of wine bars and independent boutiques.
Fast Facts
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Vibe: A luxurious homestay with a dear friend—if that friend happened to own a grand city mansion
Rating: Five-star
Room Count: 25 rooms and suites
Pricing: Starting from $650 per night, inclusive of breakfast, complimentary mini bar and welcome drink on arrival
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The lush and leafy garden is a revelation, particularly in that golden hour before sunset, when jasmine and lemon blossom waft through the air, transporting you—sundowner in hand—to another place altogether.
Dining: EVOO is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner—though you can choose to enjoy your meal in the cosy bar.
Amenities: restaurant; bar; outdoor dining; pool; spa and wellness rooms
Nearby Attractions: Jardim Fialho de Almeida, Castelo de São Jorge, Estufa Fria, Gulbenkian Museum
Airport: Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)
