SANTIAGO DE ALFAMA

The 19 rooms, split into six suites and 13 bedrooms, are no different - quirky shaped floor plans (due to the original bone structure) and wood panelling on the walls, brought back to the present day with vast beds covered in soft cotton linen and sumptuous fabrics of cobalt blue, warm beige and crisp white. A rain shower in your bathroom is guaranteed, however we would highly recommend the Santiago suite for a free standing bath tub in the bedroom and the best views over the Alfama's red roofs and the River Tagus. With three different options for eating and drinking within the hotel, you may not want to venture further afield, but being only 50 yards from the tram stop, the bustling city of Lisbon is literally on your doorstep. With beautiful views from the front overlooking the river Tagus and within easy reach of all Lisbon's must-sees, this is a real gem and ideal for the inquisitive and active city explorer.

Suitable for:

• City-break enthusiasts
• The culturally inquisitive
• Families with children. There are 3 sets of adjacent bedrooms that can be connected - ideal for young families

Things to do at the hotel:

• Enjoy a light lunch at Café Audrey; a bright and lively café with tables spilling onto the cobbled street.
• Dinner in the restaurant ‘A Fabrica' is highly recommended. With a strong Portuguese influence, seasonal menus change regularly.
• Enjoy a nightcap at Manny's Bar.
• Book a massage or beauty treatment in Madame Bollinger's Beauty Bar.

Things to do nearby:

• Explore the charming and labyrinthine cobbled streets of the Alfama on foot, with its jumble of pastel-coloured walls and terracotta roofs.
• Visit St George's castle (Castelo de S. Jorge), only a short walk away.
• Take the tram along the waterfront to the Jerónimos Monastery from where Vasco da Gama set out to discover the sea-route to India.
• Explore Lisbon by tuk-tuk - the perfect way to get around this city built on seven hills.
• Enjoy a brilliant night out in the lively bars and restaurants of the Rua do Alecrim or the Bairro Alto.
• Head out of the city to the world-class surfing beaches of Guincho and Ericeira.