Lutécia Smart Design Hotel
Avenida Frei Miguel Contreiras 52, Lisbon, 1749-086, Portugal
Why We Like It
This hotel has a jazzy design, good in-room amenities, and an accessible price tag. The location may be slightly off-the-beaten-track, but the surrounding streets will please visitors who like to get to know a city's local scene rather than its pricey tourist hangouts. There are several meeting rooms for business visitors, and babysitting services can be arranged (extra cost) for family visitors.
Fodor's Expert Review
Formerly known simply as Hotel Lutécia, this modern four-star was reborn as a Design Hotel in 2015, and now offers smart, modern rooms and high-tech amenities. Rooms are set on themed floors and draw inspiration from the worlds of music and film, and top floor suites have outstanding panoramic city views.
The location is far enough from the tourist track to feel like a real hidden gem, but the nearby Metro means that Lisbon's major sights and attractions are all within easy reach. It's just a short hop to the airport, too. A health center (with the option to book a massage) and business facilities complete the package.
Tip This hotel offers more bang for your buck than similarly-priced lodgings in more touristy parts of Lisbon.
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Room
The hotel prides itself on bold design, and this is particularly evident in the rooms, which are set out over eight themed floors. Decor ranges from kitsch stylings on the Kiss Me floor (think bright red, lip-shaped sofas in the corridors and Marilyn Monroe images on the walls) and glitter balls on the Disco Floor, to cool minimalism on the White Space floor. On the top floor, spacious Senses Suites up the luxury level and have dramatic panoramic views. On each floor, rooms are divided into City Design and more luxurious Premium Design categories.
All rooms and suites have comfortable beds, modern fixtures and fittings, and mod cons such as speedy Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines, and Smart TVs. Most have private terraces--and those on higher floors have great views.
You Should Know The hotel's location in a busy residential area means street noise can be an issue.
Bathroom
The hotel's bathrooms are modern and well-maintained, with color schemes compatible with each room's theme. Bathrooms have walk-in showers, plus complimentary toiletries. Some rooms have tubs, and suites have hydromassage baths.
Lobby
The lobby is on the small side, but it's a comfortable, modern space, characterized by the contemporary lighting and furnishings that can be seen throughout the hotel, and there's a smart lobby bar serving cocktails, wine, and snacks. Reception is 24-hour, and there's a luggage storage facility.
Spa
There's no spa, but massages and a few other treatments can be booked at the Wellness Center.
Gym
There's a small but well-equipped gym at the hotel's Wellness Center, and it's open round the clock.
Dining
A decent buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel's restaurant, InFusion, has a good reputation for its interesting mix of Portuguese and Indian cuisines. Open to non-guests, this first-floor restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and is reasonably priced by hotel standards.
Tip Along with a main menu of Portuguese and international dishes, there's a dedicated Indian menu focusing on dishes from Northern India and Goa.
Drinking
Unlike some hotel bars in Lisbon, the lobby bar at Lutecia Smart Design Hotel is not what you'd call a hot favorite among Lisbon's fashionable young things, but it does offer a good range of cocktails, wines by the glass, and simple snacks such as toasted sandwiches and burgers.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The hotel is located in a slightly down-at-heel part of town, but the proximity to the metro means guests won't have much trouble seeing the sights. The airport is just a couple of miles away, and can be reached by metro, airport shuttle bus or inexpensive cab. The hotel is just two blocks from the Roma-Areeiro metro station (Green Line) which is a fast, direct route to tourist hotspots such as Rossio, Chiado, and Cais do Sodre, as well as newly-hip locales Martim Moniz and Intendente.
Restaurants
If you prefer to skip tourist traps and find a more authentic taste of Lisbon, this multi-cultural neighborhood is a good place to do it. Seafood fans will be in their element at Marisqueira Roma (2-minute walk), which serves delicious shellfish at very affordable prices, and attracts a loyal, mainly local, clientele. Slightly pricier, but equally close at hand, O Mattos (2-minute walk) is widely regarded as one of the best places in town for simple, yet spectacularly tasty, traditional Portuguese dishes, including excellent pork dishes and grilled meat.
Bars
The busy streets around the hotel are lined with any number of simple watering holes and cafe-bars, as well as some more noteworthy options such as Cockpit Tapas & Gin (5-minute walk). Arrive early for a chance to bag a seat at this tiny spot, which has a very extensive gin list as well as mouthwatering plates of nibbles. Alternatively, jump on the metro to Intendente, where Casa Intendente is a former mansion home turned uber-hip hangout, with an interior courtyard and a great cocktail list.
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