Palácio Príncipe Real

This beautiful hotel is a gem in the middle of Lisbon. Hidden from the street behind majestic wooden doors, that open into a magnificent private garden, the hotel really is the perfect pink oasis to relax in after a busy day exploring the city, and despite being located so centrally is wonderfully calm inside. The atrium is breathtakingly stunning. It really is like escaping into a Wes Anderson film! Every aspect of the hotel is thought through and meticulous, with playful touches: from a glass of bubbles and a plate of fresh local figs on arrival, a fully stocked complimentary mini bar with snacks and local wine, Byredo products in the bathroom with the fluffiest towels, a proper turn down service each night and then of course the wonderful runner duck motif appearing in unexpected places around the hotel (look out for it!). Gail and Miles are both wonderful hosts, and it was lovely to meet them both during my stay as they made an effort to offer a personal welcome and it was fascinating to hear from them both about the history of the hotel and how they have transformed it from a family home into such a memorable hotel. Everyone working there also went out of their way to help and recommend restaurants, places to visit and also crucially book taxis to/from the airport: the service is faultless. Breakfast (chosen from a short but exciting menu) can be had in the garden or inside in the wonderful pink breakfast room and was delicious. I also had dinner in the hotel for a couple of the nights and each time had three courses of genuinely exciting vegetarian food unlike anything I've tried before, paired with wonderful local wines recommended by the in-house sommelier. Palácio Príncipe Real is truly an exceptional place to stay - and I can't wait to return.

I completed a 9-night stay at the Palacio earlier this month (my second at this lovely hotel during the past year), and could not recommend it more highly. The property - a beautifully restored 19th century palace - is itself worth a visit. Centrally located (in Principe Real, one of the nicest quartiers of the city), the hotel presides over an expansive garden, at the back of which is a welcoming salt water pool...great for lap swims. The rooms are superb - comfortable, spacious, quiet and well-equipped (crisp sheets, fluffy towels & robes, fully stocked, complimentary mini-fridges, etc.) And downstairs in the dining room, or outside in the garden, is a delicious, made-to-order breakfast on offer throughout the day. On top of all this, the people here are wonderful. Led by owners Gail and Miles, everyone is so friendly and accommodating, with knowledgeable suggestions for restaurants, sights, shopping...and ready solutions for the occasional challenges that arise while traveling. Among all the hotels in the world I've been fortunate enough to visit, this ranks among the very top! Will be back soon

I wish I could give more stars! Thank you so so much to the team at Palacio Principe Real for a truly special stay. The hotel itself is a beautiful and tastefully restored building which we felt so lucky to be able to stay in. The interiors mix a modern aesthetic with the traditional furnishings and it works really well, looks beautiful and is amazingly comfortable. We were fortunate enough to receive an upgrade on arrival and our room was amazing. It had a dual aspect with large windows looking out onto the garden and pool with shutters if you like the complete darkness although we liked to sleep with them open and wake up to the sun rising and the birds singing. It’s amazing how you don’t hear the city noises from within the hotel. The room was really spacious with a super comfy bed, crisp white bed linens and fluffy dressing gowns and slippers. The bathroom was an absolute joy. It had a stand alone tub facing a large window, a separate spacious shower with strong hot water and a marble floor with underfloor heating. No cost has been spared in this hotel and every fitting is to the highest standard . Similarly, every detail is so carefully considered, it is hard to describe what a pleasure it is to stay here. There is a yoga mat and pool towels also in the room as well as air con and a fridge with a complimentary mini bar which is topped up daily and includes treats made by the in house chef. The staff were so incredibly kind and thoughtful, any time we asked a question or for a recommendation they came to us with great suggestions and even printed off some google map directions for us when we were walking to various different spots around the city. The team also welcomed us with a delightful three course meal including wine when we arrived as our flight got in late and didn’t even charge us for it. Breakfast was a treat everyday. The fresh fruit selection is so nice I never had any thing other than it and yoghurt but there is a full menu to choose from. We also really loved the location as a place to explore Lisbon from, principe real is a more relaxed part of the city beside the botanic gardens and surrounded by nice cafes, restaurants, shops and bars but still within easy walking distance to the busier parts of town, We can’t recommend here enough or express our gratitude to the wonderful staff - good luck with everything and we look forward to coming back :) Sophie and Andrew

It’s one of those places you want to keep to yourself but you also want to see get the awards it deserves. I’m so happy we caught this early - we stayed 3 nights (extended it the minute we arrived) - and it felt like your own private palace. The attention to detail by the hands-on owners and well-trained staff was a 6-star experience. Each room is custom designed, breakfast is divine and thoughtful. The garden is unrivalled in Lisbon - there simply is no other city sanctuary like this one and the photos can’t capture the magic of this restoration. The hotel has a beautiful pool, lovely bar, living area as well. Rooms are luxurious with under floor heating and AC. Sleep is quiet. Basically no reason to leave, so don’t plan on wanting to sight see because you won’t want to rush out anytime soon. Coming from the world of hospitality, I can say that literally everything is thought of.

My boyfriend and I came to stay here and was not sure what we would be walking into, however within the moment the doors were opened, and greeted with such a warmth, I knew the rest of the stay would be as amazing. And it was, every single one of the staff are so lovely, and really make a effort with your needs and remember the smallest of things. Bruno and his cocktails blew me away, the chef, everyone. The room itself was beautiful and I don't have enough words to describe the peace. We are already looking forward to coming back in the summer!

Palácio Principe Real is a stunning hotel in the heart of Lisbon. This beautiful building has been wonderfully converted into a stylish and comfortable relaxing place to stay. The garden is peaceful and spacious, with a gorgeous pool. The staff at Palácio, however, are the stand out. They are so kind, care about your stay in Lisbon, and will arrange all the things you might want to have a lovely time. The generous breakfast will keep you going for walks around the city, and delicious wine choices await you in the bar. Thank you to everyone at Palácio for giving us a perfect stay. We will be back.

Stayed for two nights last weekend. It really felt like a home away from home. It was amazing having such a peaceful oasis right in the middle of the city, Gail and all the staff were so welcoming. We were really well looked after, they put such a personal touch in everything they do. We will be back during warmer weather to properly make use of the pool! Everyone has to treat themselves to a few cocktails in the wonderful bar, it was great to be able to sit by the fire when it was a bit cooler in the evenings!

My husband and I met friends here for a weekend stay last month and had such a beyond wonderful experience in every way. From the moment we arrived the staff made us feel completely welcomed and at home-- they could not have been kinder. The property truly is a beautifully designed city oasis, the location is perfectly central, the rooms are comfortable & gorgeous, the decor beautiful, the bar/garden/common spaces lovely & relaxing, the products and amenities of highest quality, the entire staff so friendly & hospitable, and the small touches so sweet & thoughtful. You can really feel the care that's been put into creating such a peaceful retreat. As others have mentioned it's the kind of place you enjoy so much that you selfishly want to keep it a secret, but the experience was so positive I felt compelled to share. I'd highly recommend to anyone planning a Lisbon trip and would go back to Portugal just to stay at Palácio Príncipe Real again.... thank you so much for hosting us and for making our weekend with great friends so memorable!