There’s a place in Lisbon that makes the most stellar of stars feel at home. It’s called Pestana Palace and has been welcoming pop aristocrats and blue bloods since the 19th century.
Nearing the end of 2017, Pestana Palace found itself on the pages of the global press. After many years spent welcoming royal families and international leaders with their discreet entourages, the hotel’s latest guest was none other than the queen of pop, Madonna, who decided to make this place her palace in Portugal and the city’s most famous resident. When she moved to the Janelas Verdes neighbourhood (where she stayed until 2020), she left a farewell note at the Pestana Palace with the words, “my home in Lisbon”.
In addition to Madonna, there have been many other illustrious guests who have enjoyed the creature comforts of Pestana Palace. Proof of this is one of the hotel’s corridors, which is adorned with photographs, autographs and thanks from aristocratic families and pop royalty, idols of other times and gods of today. All in all, this intriguing gallery boasts enviable diversity, featuring famous names that range from Prince to Garry Kasparov. Their faces may be on show in this mini hall of fame but the team at the hotel always make sure their stories remain within the palace walls.
