Largo das Portas do Sol is never short of visitors or attractions: the trundle of the number 28 trams, the lines of tuk-tuks, selfie-sticks galore, music blaring. This is cosmopolitan and touristy Lisbon par excellence.
Standing out from the crowd isn’t easy, but Portugal’s newest pousada (Alfama), which opened in April 2023, does just that: it grabs the attention of both tourists and locals.
The façade may be narrow, but its four floors stand tall. At the entrance, there’s a small courtyard that overlooks the street, with an attractive terrace made of wood, stone and iron that rests on traditional Portuguese cobblestones. On one of the outside walls, there’s an installation by Bordallo II: a huge panda made of different plastics and other rubbish collected and recycled by the artist for the Animais em Extinção collection. This big, colourful “Half Young Panda” (the name of the installation) extends a warm welcome to those arriving at the boutique hotel.
Situated in the heart of the city, the century-old building that now houses the pousada had been abandoned. What was left were the remains of a large 19th-century house, which the Count of Murça had constructed upon other buildings that dated back to at least medieval times, as verified by the excavations that preceded the pousada’s construction.
After the excavations came the refurbishment, which involved an investment of around 10 million euros. Unable to expand sideways, the building acquired two new floors. The 43 rooms are located on the three upper floors, which have access to the spacious and surprisingly quiet rear patio. That said, the pousada’s social buzz is found on the ground floor, where Jaime Morais’s interior design shines brightest.
Overlooking the courtyard, the dining room and reception (which doubles as a bar) make up the Manifesto Bar Lounge. The rooms are small but charming, offering clean design that contrasts with the majestic decor, from chandeliers to velvet sofas. The most outstanding paintings, busts and vases came from Museu de Lisboa, and contribute to the cosy and sumptuous feel of a place surrounded by history.
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