Opening just over three years ago, following a complete renovation of this landmark Art Nouveau building in the centre of Lisbon, the 1908 Lisboa Hotel was originally designed at the beginning of the 20th century by Adães Ber Mudes. It’s a Valmor Prize-winning piece of architecture, emblematic, with a great historical and architectural value to the city. Converted into a beautiful boutique hotel, it inhabits a central part of Lisbon offering 36 contemporary guest rooms and suites, a bar and a fantastic onsite restaurant Infame. Read on to discover more about the hotel and our own experience during a recent trip to Lisbon.

Background and Concept

While the exterior boasts an Art Nouveau style, modern interiors encompass 36 rooms across four floors, as well as the Infame restaurant and Bar 1908. Works by contemporary Portuguese artists like Bordalo II, SuperVan (Vanessa Teodoro), David Oliveira and Irmãos Marques reinterpret Adães Bermudes’ naturalist theme, interweaving it with the recent past of the building and reflecting the non-conformism and infamy of the Intendente area.

This hotel was the first project by Villa de Santa Ana, run by Amazing Evolution (which the Word Travel Awards ranked as the best boutique hotel manager in Europe in the world in 2018/2019); their portfolio includes over 17 hotels throughout Portugal.

Service is flawless and personal, from the warm welcome you will receive when you check-in through to the knowledgeable waiting staff in the restaurant.

We loved the WhatsApp concierge that they have in the hotel – with which you can connect to the hotel staff via your own WhatsApp account. They have even created a very useful Google Maps city guide to help you navigate through Lisbon on your mobile. See an example map here

Location

The hotel is found on the popular Largo do Intendente square, on the corner of Almirante Reis and Largo do Intendente. The area was once a place to avoid in the city, but is now a square full of music, bars, and culture. It’s a short 15-minute walk to the city centre and there are multiple metro stops in the area which will take you downtown, or whisk you quickly to the airport.

Rooms and Suites

The names of each room reflect its size and view; “The Square Rooms” enjoy an outlook over Largo do Intendente square while, “The Avenue Rooms” face Avenida Almirante Reis, one of Lisbon’s key thoroughfares and on the top floor, “The Attic Rooms” are a set of three with an exclusive lobby (bookable individually or together). “The King Rooms” are around 50m2, and “The King of Dome” provides access to the hotel’s dome.

Double Avenue Room

Our Room

Bathroom

Portus Cale is a Portuguese soap company and it has a beautiful scent. Portugal also had its own alternative to Nespresso and you will find these machines in many of the hotels too.

The view at night

One thing to mention is Lisbon likes to stay up late, and you will find people drinking late into the night in all the squares in the city. It does create a slight background noise which you get used to, but if you are a light sleeper you might want to choose an avenue room over a room facing the square, but you will miss out on the spectacular view if you go for an avenue room.

Infame

As per the artwork, the concept of the restaurant – Infame – mirrors the alternative and diverse nature that the local neighbourhood is known for, a theme highlighted by the restaurant’s name. Infame has 80 covers inside and 70 on the terrace – which also serves as an extension of Bar 1908 Lisboa. Chef André Rebelo’s menu takes diners on a journey through Portuguese flavours, whilst applying a cosmopolitan and contemporary approach.

Duck croquettes, tuna woodpecker, octopus with mussel stew puree and feijoa and cod pil-pil with fried sweet potato are just some of the menu options. In addition to the à la carte menu, there’s an executive lunch, inspired by fresh and seasonal ingredients and a Sunday brunch from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm (it’s now one of the busiest in the city). Much of the produce is sourced locally and the restaurant’s vegetables come from a garden that the chef and team developed at their sister site in Ericeira.

What We Ate

Bar 1908 Lisboa

Bar 1908 Lisboa (and Infame) offer a selection of cocktails created by their resident bartenders, in addition to a very varied drinks menu. Both the restaurant and bar take on an industrial style with a visible steel structure that contrasts with hydraulic floor tiles and naturalist details.

Breakfast

Breakfast is fabulous, with a cold buffet selection, while hot dishes are cooked to order.

Final Thoughts

The building remains an architectural landmark in the city and is now a top destination for sleeping, meeting and socialising in Lisbon. We loved our stay here and we know you will too! This property is included in our guide to the best hotels in Lisbon

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