Set back from the popular districts of Bairro Alto and Chiado, yet within easy walking distance, The Vintage suits discerning travellers who prefer to dip in and out of the maelstrom – and of the hotel's groovy underground pool. Its casually luxurious, artful design evokes the chic style of nearby Avenida da Liberdade, one of Europe's most expensive shopping streets, and the elegant Parque Eduardo VII. The latter is perfectly placed for a life-affirming jog, but if your idea of holiday exploration means perusing the cocktail menu, make a beeline for V rooftop bar. Low-fi beats, inventive drinks and sweeping views of the majestic São Jorge castle set the tone.
Downstairs is the reliably excellent Blue Bar and Restaurant where you take breakfast, while underneath it all, The Spa is The Vintage's little secret. Its dark, cavernous space and its dipping pool with powerful water jets are a godsend after busy Lisbon has attacked your senses. Retreat to your room to find rich monochrome hues, wooden floors, tall windows and sensuous Modernist design details. Benamôr products add whimsy to state-of-the-art bathrooms, while complimentary local spiced gins await on a vintage trolley. In fact, everything about this stay is stylish; particularly the guests. Fashion mavens and young couples with an eye for beauty will feel very at home here.
Highs
- Bedrooms deliver the height of comfort: sumptuous sheets, marshmallow-soft beds, cosseting robes and more
- We relished the expertly-made coffees in The Hangout (lobby bar), where jazz records spin next to a striking portrait of a female Fado singer
- Catching your first glimpse of Lisbon's terracotta-topped vistas from the rooftop bar is epic
- The neighbourhood is quiet, in the best way. We loved wandering along sun-dappled streets, past independent cafes and palm-shaded gardens
- The inky cavernous ambiance of the underground dipping pool is a delight after a day's exploring
Lows
- While vibey, the pool and gym area is very small, and reserved for spa guests at certain times (check ahead)
- If you're looking for a hotel right in the thick of it, The Vintage might be just a tad too far out (though still within stumbling distance of excellent gardens, shops, bars and restaurants)
Best time to go
Lisbon is fabulous in all seasons, but from March-May and September-October, the crowds abate – as do hotel rates. Spring and autumn remain beautifully warm, but cool enough to tackle the city's seven (yes, seven) hills.
Our top tips
If it's really hot and you've got the time, tack a beach day onto your city break. A quick taxi across the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge (worth seeing in itself) takes you to brilliantly kitsch Costa da Caparica, home to several sushi spots and some of Europe's best surf. A little further along the coast you'll find wild and wonderful Fonte da Telha, inviting coastal walks and long lunches at beach bars.
- Boutique Hotel
- 56 rooms
- Restaurant & bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Laundry service
Rooms
The 56 stunning rooms and suites come in beautiful shades of botanical green, powder blue or warm terracotta, with tall ceilings, wooden flooring and plenty of vintage design touches. There are curvy Art-Deco chairs, triangular chrome lampshades, groovy Riley-esque artwork - all of it bespoke. Huge windows (double glazed for total quietness) are draped with heavy curtains, adding an air of 60s glamour, which is echoed in the Portuguese bath products' charmingly retro designs.
Entry-level Vintage Superior and slightly larger Deluxe rooms are more than satisfactory for most. The latter boast the better city views, and plenty of space for an extra bed, but all feel cosseting and carefully crafted, with marshmallow-soft beds and a small sitting area. A few in each category have balconies, too.
The 3 exceptional Corner Suites offer a slice of high end Lisboan life, with panoramic city views to boot. Choose the top-of-the-pile Castle Suite to gaze at stunning São Jorge in your bathrobe. You get a very spacious seating area to entertain friends in, plus a large workspace (though we'd hope it'd go unused).
In the morning, take a rainfall shower (there are no bathtubs), and charge up with a coffee – there's a machine in each room. Come the evening, the drinks trolley beckons with artisan snacks and spiced gins complete with fresh garnish.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The hotel's street-level Blue Bar & Restaurant is fresh and inviting, awash with bright blues reminiscent of the city's cerulean skies. A tempting buffet breakfast here spans the usual freshly baked bread and pastries, muesli and cereals, cold meats and cheeses; plus a smattering of cooked dishes such as poached eggs, bacon, pancakes and the like.
For dinner if eating in, order a bottle of Douro wine, then share a plate of Pica Pau (Portuguese beef strips in tangy pickle sauce) or a towering hamburger with Pata Negra ham and fat chips. Other delicious nouveau-Portuguese dishes include octopus salad with sweet potatoes and roasted peppers, or slow-roasted pork cheek with mashed potato and sautéed mushrooms. This hotel restaurant is certainly no club-sandwich after-thought.
It's worth mentioning that world-renowned seafood spot Cervejeria Ramiro is a hop, skip and a jump from The Vintage. Try turning up at an unusual time to bag a seat; then plump for the giant prawns followed by a prego – AKA steak sandwich – for dessert. Fancy a more conventional sweet treat? Authentic Italian gelateria Nannarella is worth the half hour yomp on a hot evening; basil flavour was our favourite.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Don super comfy flats and head for Bairro Alto, where you'll find dreamy concept stores, buzzy restaurants, a boho crowd and the best coffee in town (the Flat White is rare in Portugal - but not here)
- Wander around jewellery shops, cafes and the enchanting bookstore at hipster magnet LX Factory (picture a high end Hackney Wick, with year-round sunshine)
- Take a breather in the city's small but exotic Botanical Gardens, a block away: no theatrics, but plenty of palms, aloes, monsteras – and silence. The city's Natural History Museum is adjacent
- Back at the hotel, a pre-bookable sauna and steam room complements the menu of spa packages and underground dipping pool; there's also a small gym (which we had to ourselves) with limited but high tech equipment, plus pre-designed workout routines and even personal training sessions
- Reward yourself by stocking up Benamôr goodies (Portugal's beloved beauty brand) in the spa's boutique
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Well being
Kids
Families are more than welcome, but this is definitely a spot for stealing away for a few days with someone special. That said, high chairs, extra beds and cots are on hand if needed – and staff have tons of ideas for where to take little ones.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The best rooms for families are the Castle Suite and one of the Corner Suites as these can take both an extra bed and a baby cot. Otherwise the Deluxe Rooms can take an extra bed or a baby cot. Note that a family of four would have to book two adjoining rooms.
Distances:
- Airport: 30 minutes
- Hospital: 15 minutes
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Vintage Hotel is in the Principe Real district of Lisbon, just north of the centre. There are metro, bus and tram stops within 5-10 mins' walk of the hotel; or you could walk into the heart of Bairro Alto in 15 mins.
By Air:
Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport is a 20-min drive, or 30-40 mins by public transport.
By Train
The stations of Rossio (for Sintra) and Cais do Sodré (for Cascais) are a brief taxi ride away; Santa Apolónia (for Porto, Faro etc) is a little further, about 15 mins' by car or metro.
By Car
You really don't need a car to explore Lisbon - public transport is plentiful, and the city's trams are legendary. But if heading further afield after your stay here, check our car hire tips and Lisbon city-centre rental locations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Lisbon Portela 6.0 km LIS
Other:
- Beach 15.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km