It was once the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was home to a police station. And it was Prime Minister António de Oliveira Salazar’s office during the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. Nowadays, the Lisboa Pousada is one of the hotel network’s most elegant establishments, internationally recognised as a Small Luxury Hotel of the World before it was even inaugurated.
Part of a set of buildings classified as national monuments, the repurposing work done to create this pousada won a major national award for urban renewal in 2016, one year after its opening. The entrance is discreetly placed among the arcades overlooking the Terreiro do Paço square, while inside there’s a world of stories and details to discover, from the impressive stone staircases to the most sophisticated rooms, not forgetting the plaster models of some of the city’s most famous statues.
The interior design and décor are the work of the architect Jaime Morais, who combined contemporary details with veritable relics, some provided by the Museu de Lisboa and the Nadir Afonso Foundation. In the lounge, just before reception, the bust of Camões and two old wooden litters (people carriers) stand out among myriad objets d’art. On the far side is Pátio Amália, where all paths lead. With the added interest of a retractable dome, this is where wonderful breakfasts are served, with both a buffet and more elaborate à la carte options. As appealing as the morning fare is, it’s hard not to gaze at the two huge replicas of the Panels of St Vincent, which were originally used in a historic procession in Lisbon in 1947.
The 90 rooms are spacious, with views that vary between Terreiro do Paço and the city’s silhouette. One curious example is suite 201, which used to house the then Prime Minister António Salazar’s office. The room retains the floors and doors of the era, as well as the oak boiserie on the walls and matching furniture. Offering over 100 square metres, the cost of a stay in the suite starts at €800.
On the floor below, with a separate street entrance, we find the cosmopolitan RIB Beef & Wine restaurant. Contrary to usual pousada practice, the food served is not of the Portuguese regional variety but rather an almost exclusive focus on beef, not to mention an overwhelmingly Portuguese wine list. Culinary highlights include the tomahawk ribeye steak, which is matured for 28 days, the beef carpaccio, classic tartar and, as remarkable as it may seem, a trilogy of roasted mushrooms with egg and truffle, which is one of the most popular starters, despite the primarily carnivorous menu.
The pousada is located next to Terreiro do Paço and seconds from the banks of the Tagus River.
At the RIB Beef & Wine restaurant (which is on the ground floor and connected to the street), the Tomahawk Ribeye Steak, aged for 28 days, is unmissable.
Essentials
Lisboa Pousada
A Pousada in the historic center of Lisbon, which is part of the Small Luxury Hotels.
