Baixa House

Rooms

The 13 apartments are spread across 5 floors, each named and themed after a different park in Lisbon - photos of the park adorn the walls. White minimalist spaces are given unique style with one-off pieces and reclaimed furniture, yet they still have a homely feel.

Each has a living area with a comfy sofa, colourful cushions and bright rugs on wooden floors, plus a kitchen and dining table. High ceilings keep things light, and French windows let the breeze run through. A couple of bedrooms face a slightly down-at heel-courtyard, but the decor is so fabulous, you won't care. Bathrooms made of local marble are on the small side but are modern and squeaky clean, with drench showers. You’ll find Alvarez Gómez shower gel and handwash, but there's no shampoo or conditioner so bring your own. Towels are changed daily for short stays but only weekly for longer lets.

For 1-4 + a baby (great for a couple or small family)
Fronteira, Alorna, Estrela, Jeronimos, Universidade and Gulbenkian have a double/twin bedroom, double sofabed in the living room and space for a baby cot.

For 1-5 + 1-2 babies (great for families)
Principe Real is on the 5th floor, with fantastic original exposed rafters uncovered during the renovation. It has the smallest living space of all the apartments but still offers a double room, single room and a kids' room with bunk beds.

For 1-4 + 1-2 babies (great for families)
On other floors, 3 corner apartments (Belem, Necessidades, Eduardo VII) sleep 4 in a double bedroom and kids' bunk room. These were our favourites - they feel super spacious and bright.

For 1-6 + 2 babies (great for a large family/friends)
We stayed in Campo Grande, which had 2 double/twin rooms plus a double sofabed in its lounge - the same set-up as Ajuda. Ours had a balcony running the entire length of the apartment (watch out if you don’t have a head for heights), which was great for soaking up the sun and people watching. The living room was huge, with a long wooden table for meals, a coffee table with glossy mags in various languages, plus a big sofa. Our bedroom had a fabulous mural of a garden vista, from a second-hand shop in Madrid.

For 1-7 + 2 babies (great for larger families or friends)
Ultramar is the largest apartment, on the top floor with great views and lots of light and space. There's a master bedroom, 2 double/twin rooms and a single room.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• WiFi

Eating

Each apartment has a well-equipped kitchen. A few have dishwashers (Fronteira, Estrela, Ajuda, Campo Grande and Ultramar); all have a fridge-freezer, oven, hob, even a blender. There are espresso machines, percolators, kettles and toasters, too. Oil, vinegar and salt are provided, and you’ll find coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sugar in the cupboards. Some kitchens have more space than others, but you can always use the dining table in your lounge for chopping space. We were pleased to find good-quality pans, decent knives, a couple of chopping boards, cheese grater, lemon squeezer, kitchen scissors and so on. There's a supermarket and a wine shop across the road.

When you leave the apartment for the day, housekeeping staff give it a once over and leave breakfast goodies for the next day in your fridge. Jams, yoghurt topped with fruit (ours was kiwi), muesli, cheeses, butter and juice. You'll also get a homemade cake every day - perfect for afternoon tea. Fresh bread is left on your doorstep every morning at 8am so you have everything you need for a leisurely breakfast when you wake up.

If you don't want to cook, head out for lunch and dinner. Check the vintage tin in your apartment for restaurant cards - these are places that come recommended by the staff at Baixa House. We enjoyed traditional, rustic Portuguese food at the well-priced Restaurante Figus, or you can pop up the hill to trendy Bairro Alto, where there's a variety of high-end restaurants and smaller eateries.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Take a stroll to Praça do Comércio for great views of the river Tagus and live events, then head west to Time Out Market where you will find some of the best Portuguese food vendors all under one roof. You’ll be completely spoilt for choice
  
• Ride to the top of the gothic Elevador de Santa Justa for magnificent city views and a quick short-cut to the bustling Bairro Alto district
  
• Lisbon’s trams are fabulous: old, yellow and gorgeous. They’re not fast and they move jerkily, but they’re the best way to get around town. Board the Number 28 from outside Baixa House, grab a window seat to admire the geraniums and catch glimpses of the river over the rooftops
  
• Wind your way up to the historic Alfama district and get a handle on the layout of the city from the high towers of the Castelo São Jorge
  
• Head out on the fado trail, best combined with dinner. Clube de Fado and A Severa are recommended - they are both pretty touristy, but this won't detract from your enjoyment of this haunting music: it's a window to the soul of the Portuguese
  
• Hop on the Number 15 tram and head to Belém, from where the great explorers set off to conquer the new world. The Portuguese empire was born as a result and the Padrao dos Descobrimentos commemorates their endeavours. You’ll also find the waterside Torre de Belém and the impressive San Jeronimo monastery
  
• Spend a day on the beach in Cascaís then feast on fresh fish at one of its waterfront restaurants - the train leaves from nearby Cais do Sodre and rattles along the coast
  
• Closer still is Sintra, a charming town in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains popular with Portuguese royals. As such, the surrounding forested land is dotted with magnificent palaces and villas to explore

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kitesurfing
• Language courses
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Wine tasting
• Yoga

Kids

A good option for families, with various sizes of apartment and configurations of bedrooms, plus a lift for easy access, but note that the general ambiance is quiet, and children must be well-behaved so as not to disturb neighbours. Baby cots can be provided as can high chairs and baby baths, all free of charge. Babysitting for children of all ages can be arranged in advance.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Belem, Necessidades, Eduardo VII and Principe Real - these 4 apartments have bunk beds in their second bedroom, and the bedroom is at the back of the building, which is quieter. Note all bathrooms are shower only, no baths.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 6.5km (Lisbon)
• Shops, including a pharmacy: 2 minutes' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Baixa House is in the heart of Lisbon's downtown Baixa district.

By Air:
Fly to Lisbon Portela Airport (6.5km away). Click on the links below for a list of airlines which fly here.

From the Airport
Baixa House can arrange a transfer (see rates), but it's easy enough to get here by public transport. You can take the subway/metro (the nearest stop is Baixa-Chiado Station) and it's a 5-minute walk from there. The tram line is 28. Or you can take a taxi, which should cost around EUR12-15 one way.

By Car:
You won't need a car to get about Lisbon. But if you want to explore further afield, click here to see our recommendations for car rental. Cars can be collected at the airport or downtown and there is private parking nearby (extra cost).

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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