Lisbon’s Most Iconic Address since 1959
With hilltop views of Old Lisbon, St George’s Moorish Castle and Tagus River, Craig Hough and partner visited the first-ever luxury hotel in Portugal’s capital
Location
With panoramic views over Eduardo VII Park, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is ideally placed, tucked away enough to avoid the busy city, yet only a short Uber to shops, restaurants and museums. A walk around the largest central park - named after Britain’s King Edward VII, who visited the city in 1903 to reaffirm the Anglo-Portuguese alliance - was a relaxing way to unwind after breakfast.
Design
Stepping into the hotel, you are greeted by timeless elegance and grandeur. Designed by French interior designer Henri Samuel and executed by skilled Portuguese craftsmen, the interiors of the public spaces draw influence from Art Deco and Louis XVI styles. Boasting one of the country’s largest privately owned Portuguese modern art collections, the bold original artwork fills the walls of the public areas and the 282 guest rooms and suites.
Rooms and Suites
The hotel unveiled brand new rooms and suites back in 2021, beautifully reimagined by Portuguese interior design firm, OITOEMPONTO. They now evoke the hotel’s original pure 1950’s style, giving them an authentic yet modern feel. The rooms are spacious and all but 10 have private terraces with far-reaching views over Eduardo VII Park or the city. The double-sink bathroom was elegantly clad in marble, with double sinks offering both a bath and a separate walk-in shower. The beds were large and firm, the sheets soft and comfortable. The room offered plenty of storage and space to get ready.
The jewel in the hotel’s crown is the Presidential Suite, with its marble-lined entrance and panoramic views over both St. George’s Castle and the Basilica da Estrela, is perfect for those in search of a truly decadent escape.
Dining
We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel’s Varanda Restaurant, known locally for its lavish weekend brunches, where politicians and the elite of Lisbon meet to dine. The breakfast is a diverse buffet, complete with local treats and table service for drinks and added extras. We were treated to a table outside on the pretty terrace, overlooking the Jacaranda trees, watching as the hotel team set up for an event later on in the day.
For lunch we sampled the Ritz Pool Bar, a nice spot for al fresco dining. The pool area was quiet, with a sprinkling of couples and one small group. The pool bar menu is ever-changing, but you can find anything from a smash burger and club sandwich to something a little sweeter, such as a strawberry tart or chocolate taco.
In the evening, we enjoyed an intimate dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant, Cura. Created by chef Pedro Pena Bastos, this is a dimly lit, culinary hotspot for hotel guests and locals alike, with its own entrance from the street. Set In the heart of the hotel, Cura serves a seasonal menu of contemporary Portuguese dishes, including Pedro’s signature squid with hazelnuts, roasted seaweed butter and caviar. Cura was an experience for the senses.
O JAPONÊS Sushi Bar is also located in the chic yet casual Ritz Bar and offers freshly prepared sushi. The Ritz Bar is a great place for a nightcap.
Wellness
The hotel’s spa is a tranquil escape with a range of services and treatments. Massages include a very modern ‘Mind & Body Total Digital Detox’ which is a signature ignae treatment that addresses both the muscular stress caused by long hours spent on digital devices, as well as the damaging impact of blue light on the skin and skin damage from an acceleration of the ageing process. The focal point of the spa is its 18-metre pool, where you can enjoy a quiet swim or make use of the poolside loungers.
On top of the hotel sits the gym and the Pilates studio where you can work out with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Just outside is a blue 400-metre running track that circles the roof of the hotel, offering gorgeous views and the perfect opportunity to take an Instagram photo of the hotel’s iconic sign and outdoor pool from high above.
Our Experience
If you’ve ever stayed at a Four Seasons, you know that the hotels excel in service. The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is no exception to this rule - beginning with the top-and-tailed doormen taking your luggage on arrival, through to the warm welcome you receive from the reception team, to the first-class service displayed in each restaurant and the turndown service in the evening. The hotel’s direct WhatsApp service to reception was a great, modern inclusion, where the team were quick to answer any query.
An exquisite bouquet of orchids hanging from the ceiling is the first thing that catches your eye as you enter the Four Seasons and further orchid displays can be found throughout. Coupled with an eclectic mix of sculptures, paintings and tapestry on show, the hotel is a treat to the eyes.
The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz sets the standard for luxury in Lisbon.
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