Name: Casa do Principe
Address: Praça do Príncipe Real 23, first floor, Lisbon, Lisbon, 1250-184, Portugal
Telephone: 218 264 183
Price range: $$

Fodor's Expert Review

Expect lodgings fit for royalty at this beautiful guest house. Located on the first floor of a grand, neo-Moorish 19th Century townhouse in the upscale and increasingly fashionable Principe Real neighborhood (also named for Dom Pedro), the intimate hotel has only 9 rooms and suites, and is a masterwork in tasteful restoration, with plenty of high stuccoed ceilings, original 19th Century furnishings and ornate azulejo tile work to be admired. Wrought iron balconies overlooking the botanical gardens in one of Lisbon's most elegant neighborhoods add to the sense of occasion, and the focus on providing attentive customer service means guests can expect to feel suitably pampered. Given its prime location and luxurious feel, room rates are surprisingly accessible.

Tip This is prime shopping territory, with upmarket treats galore on offer at the ritzy Embaixada boutique mall next door

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Room

Guests can play at being 19th Century nobility during a stay here, with the large, beautifully appointed rooms all harking back to Portugal's Golden Age. Complimentary drinks on arrival can be enjoyed on the balcony (each room has its own), or lounging in the spacious rooms and suites themselves while goggling at the intricacy of the stuccoed ceilings, the ornate chandeliers and the attention to detail in the furnishings. The pastel-hued rooms and suites vary in size and style (each is loosely themed around a stage of the Prince's life, with related artworks hung on the walls) but all are spacious, with large, deeply-comfortable beds, polished wooden floors and lots of natural light. It all feels pleasingly 'old world', but fast in-room Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, and individually-controlled WiFi bring things up to date.

You Should Know Guests have the place to themselves after around 9 p.m., but staff are contactable via phone.

Bathroom

Bathrooms vary in style, color scheme, and layout, but all feel suitably luxurious, with lots of colored marble, gold tones, and traditional tile work. Some bathrooms have tubs with overhead showers, others have walk-in shower units. Comfortable robes and slippers are provided, and there are plenty of high-quality complimentary toiletries.

Lobby

Entering the hotel feels less like walking into a lobby than stepping into the home of a landed gentry, thanks to the framed portraits, blooming potted plants and one-off vintage furnishings. The 13-foot high ceilings and wooden floors add a sense of old-world opulence, and guests are greeted with a welcome drink on check-in.

Dining

There's plenty of choice on offer at the buffet breakfast, served in a but no lunch or dinner is served at the guest house.

Drinking

There's no bar at the hotel, but guests receive a complimentary tipple on arrival.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

It's a short stroll to the Metro stations at Rato or Avenida, and the Casa do Principe is also well served by buses and taxis. Strolling around the area is pleasant (if taxing on the legs, expect some stiff climbs on the roads nearby), and Principe Real is a beautiful spot to explore on foot. Heading along the leafy, well-heeled Avenida Atlantica, guests can reach iconic spots such as Rossio square in less than half an hour, and the lively nightlife of Bairro Alto is within staggering distance, too. A shuttle bus from the airport stops nearby, otherwise it's a short (less than four mile) cab ride.

Restaurants

As befits one of Lisbon's most fashionable spots, there are lots of worthy dining experiences within a few minutes' walk of the hotel. Check out the delicious ceviches and dramatically contemporary design (hello, giant octopus suspended from the ceiling) at A Cevicheria (2-minute walk); or try crowd-pleasing Portuguese-style burgers (in meat, fish or vegetable-based forms) and tasty tapas at the lively O Prego da Peixaria (2-minute walk).

Bars

Principe Real seems to get trendier every week, and new bars crop up here with great frequency. One unmissable, longstanding favorite is Pavilhão Chinês (2-minute walk), a unique drinking experience, where cocktails are served in a space filled with antique toys, mannequins, and other curios. Another unique aspect of Lisbon's drinking scene is its plethora of outdoor drinks kiosks, dotted at scenic locales across the city. Try cocktail hour or lunchtime sangria at Quiosque Principe Real (2-minute walk), which is set in the lovely nearby gardens.