Arrival/Check-In: As soon as the taxi pulled up to the entrance, I appreciated the convenience of this central location. With an unassuming, charming exterior, the property sits in the heart of the city, nestled between the bohemian Bairro Alto and the stylish, cultural Chiado—two of Lisbon’s most iconic neighborhoods. Check-in was effortless. The staff greeted me by name as I arrived, and within minutes I was escorted to my room on the third floor.
Guest Quarters: There are only a few moments that truly take your breath away. Pulling back the curtains in my room was one of them. My balcony looked out over the square with the lively city below—simply stunning.
Like many boutique hotels in Europe, space is at a premium, but the room never felt cramped. It was compact yet comfortable, with a very cozy bed and a beautifully tiled bathroom that was bright and well lit.
On arrival I discovered my travel converter was not working. I called the front desk to ask if they had spares and was told each room is supplied with converters. When I checked the drawer there were two, so I didn’t need to juggle charging my laptop, phone and tablet.
Services/Amenities: If you have the chance, dine at Flowers Restaurant on the property. Seth Reimer of Bairro Alto Hotel kindly invited me to lunch and I’m glad I accepted. We sat in a comfortable corner and were served tea with lemon and honey to start. The meal continued with pleasant conversation about local and international topics, a flavorful soup and a perfectly cooked swordfish.
The Experience: What score would I give this hotel? A straight 10 out of 10. My only regret is not visiting the rooftop bar, which I heard much about. I understand the property is expanding across the block, and I look forward to seeing the updates while hoping the hotel maintains its historic charm and character.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: yes
Less than 10 minutes for check-in: yes
Separate tub and shower: no
Large vanity: no
High-quality towels: yes
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: yes
High-quality bed linens: yes
Large, flat-screen television: yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: yes
Large, complimentary laptop safe: yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: yes
Complimentary bottled water: yes
Stocked minibar: yes
Ample lighting: yes
In-room coffeemaker: yes
Iron and ironing board: yes
On-site restaurant: yes
24-hour room service: yes
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: yes
Turn-down service: yes
Bairro Alto Hotel
Praça Luis de Camões
2 1200-243 Lisbon, Portugal
tel 351 213 408 288
bairroaltohotel.com