Palácio das Especiarias — Hotel in Lisbon

An absolutely divine experience. I have probably stayed in more than 300 hotels in my life, and I can honestly say that it is worth going to Portugal just to stay at this hotel. The outside facade of the hotel is humble and unassuming, but it is the inside that sparkles with luxury and sophistication. The hotel is decorated in a manner that truly makes you feel like you are living inside a palace. The attention to detail is sublime. Each room has a unique flavor, and will delight any connoisseur of classical European art and architecture. You can spend hours just marveling at the artwork and various artifacts found throughout. For fans of Portuguese history, the artwork at the hotel tells the entire history of Portugal, from Roman times to the Age of Discovery. The service was equally amazing. I would especially like to thank Antonio for making me feel welcome at all times, and for giving me a tour of the hotel and sharing some of its history. The building is approximately 400 years old, and was once used as a storage space for spices (hence the name of the hotel). It is proudly family owned. The hotel was temporarily closed during the pandemic, and has now reopened. You can tell that the staff are taking extra steps to cater to the hotel's guests and patrons, as the hotel has ambitions of becoming a "5 Star" Hotel (it is currently rated 4 Stars officially). Although the hotel is not very large, the amenities added extra flavor to the overall experience. There is a selection of drinks (including my favorite mint water) that was available at all times and at any hour. Live piano music pervades the entire hotel in the mornings, while patrons are provided with a colorful breakfast. There is a wide selection of tropical fruit, for those who wish to maintain a healthy diet. The pool area in the basement is small, but makes up for its size by exuding a mysterious and intimate ambiance. Best for couples on honeymoon, and not for kids looking for a fun splash. There is a beautiful terrace on the first floor for those looking to relax outside. Make sure you visit the study where you can challenge your friends to a game of chess. The gym is underwhelming, unfortunately, and does not have a full selection of equipment. The bedroom I stayed in was fit for royalty, complete with an awe inspiring chandelier. I could only describe it as a bedroom that any European aristocrat would be proud to inhabit. In terms of location, you will be in Bairro Alto, which will provide you with an endless selection of restaurants and bars within walking distance. There are 2 banks nearby for your ATM needs, a wine bar, and a fancy sushi restaurant all within a one minute walk. It does get noisy at night however, and the building has no sound proofing. I highly recommend this hotel for couples, solo travellers, and families with older children. As your gateway to exploring Lisbon, there is no better place to start...

Heritage Charmer

My first impression of this place was the worst welcome experience I’ve ever had in the recent past - thanks to the 2 front office ladies who were more keen on chatting with each other than getting us checked in and getting our room ready. On top of that, we were forced to wait till the very last minute of the advertised Check-in time, which was 3 PM late in the afternoon. While most hotels have this time threshold, we’ve been granted room access much sooner. These ladies didn't even bother to pretend as if they were apologetic or cared about us having to wait for a few more hours. Not something that I have witnessed in extensive travels through Portugal, where people are usually very warm and welcoming! But the other boys running the bar(and front desk partially) more than made up for the lack of hospitality from the ladies.

Apart from these hiccups, the overall vintage vibe of the hotel is great and comes with a HERITAGE CHARM, unlike most hotels you find in this area. All the decor and the furnishings transport you to a bygone era and make you feel like you are staying in a piece of history. But the other boyz running the bar(and front desk partially) more than made up for the

LOCATION: Good location in the BAIRO ALTA district(CHAIDO area to be precise) and walkable to most key points of interest

DINE + DRINK: They have a cute bohemian bar at the lobby level that is great for a pre-drink before you head out or a late-night cap.

ROOM: We stayed in Room 01, so this review is based on that; SIZE: Spacious enough for 2 adults and simple baggage; VIEW: Sweet view of the charming courtyard; AIR-CON: Perfectly functioning cooler that helped in setting the perfect room temperature; BED: Comfortable bed that played the expected part of putting us to sleep; BATHROOM: Stand-in shower; TOILETRIES: Very good spa quality Toiletries

FACILITIES: No Gym or pool on site.

SERVICE: Most of the staff (except the 2 front office ladies) were very warm and hospitable. Special shout out to DIOGIO and ALAN from the front desk/bark for attending to our needs with a big smile

HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: Free Wi-Fi that works well all over the property, and the speed is good! Big Smart TV dishing out a wide variety of channels spanning sports, news, music, movies, and entertainment in...

It’s not often I’m recommending a specific hotel, especially not in Lisbon. But Palácio das Especiarias in the heart of the old Lisbon is a pearl I can’t keep from you. I’ve been staying in endless of hotels around the world, some of them the most famous and exclusive ones. Still, Palácio das Especiarias easily took the first place on my list of favorite hotels!

The building is from 16th hundred century and when you entering the doors, the magic of bringing you back in time fills your mind. It’s a true WOW moment! Everything, from the staffs clothes to furniture, art and every single interior detail is thought through. It’s absolutely stunning and I spent a long time, walking slowly from room to room and just let all the beauty sunk in.

It’s like living in a hundreds of years old, luxury palace where you have access to several dining and living rooms and a picturesque garden. You are welcomed with a glass of wine, olives and cheese in the old stable, now made into a cosy room where the hotels own Fado singer gives you an unforgettable time several evenings of the week.

The breakfast is elegant and filled with quality products, real scrambled eggs, homemade bread, fresh fruit and a huge variety of pastries. Cecilia, a wonderful lady and very talented piano player makes the breakfast experience into something out of the ordinary.

The staff is so kind, warm and helpful in a personal way so you feel at home immediately.

I’m completely in love with this hotel and I will go back every time I’m visiting Lisbon. This time, I didn’t have time to enjoy the fantastic spa facilities but next time, I will have champagne in the huge jacuzzi, share the private sauna with the man I love and relax with a massage under the historical vaults.

Thank you all for making Lisbon into a special place for me🙏❤️ Elise Slotte, Wow...