Artbeat Rooms

Artbeat Rooms is a quirky, colorful property with a homey atmosphere. It’s housed in a charming 18th-century building on a picturesque cobblestone street, and the staircase up to the main space is lined with beautiful blue and yellow tile. There are brightly colored walls throughout, including striking red and aqua wallpaper in the small reception area, and a chalkboard scrawled with messages from guests lines one of the hallways. The living room is decorated with a version of Matisse’s "The Dance" and vintage Elle magazine covers, while a colorfully beaded chandelier hangs from one ceiling, and another hallway has shelving stocked with art books and magazines. There's a friendly, welcoming vibe here, and guests will likely cross paths in the morning while preparing breakfast in the adorable kitchen, with its aquamarine ceiling, shelves chockablock with cooking tools, and tiny table beside glass doors leading to a balcony where guests can eat. Most guests are in their twenties and thirties, drawn to the bohemian atmosphere, though the guesthouse also hosts older couples. 

The guesthouse is located in the city’s historic center, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions within walking distance. It’s a block away from Rua Augusta, a busy street with lots of outdoor cafes, and a five-minute walk from the Rua Augusta Arch, a stone monument to the city's reconstruction following an earthquake in 1755. It’s also a five-minute walk to the Chiado Warehouses, a boutique shopping mall, and to the Baixa/Chiado metro station. It’s a 15-minute drive and around 30 minutes via public transportation to the Lisbon Portela Airport. 

The seven colorful rooms are themed around seven artists, and each room is decorated with reproductions of its namesake's work. There’s Marilyn Monroe pop-art and a bright pink and aqua color scheme in the Andy Warhol room and Cubism in the Picasso room. Some rooms have small balconies with wrought-iron balconies and wooden tables and chairs. All rooms are double, and some have sofa beds to sleep three people. Rooms also come with towels and safes. The three shared bathrooms are spacious and painted in bright colors. Two bathrooms have shower/tub combos, and one has a large glass-enclosed shower. 

Guests have access to the home’s kitchen, where breakfast is self-serve, with cereals, bread, and jam available, along with oranges that can be freshly squeezed and free coffee and tea. Breakfast can be eaten in the kitchen, on the balcony, or in guest rooms. The fridge is stocked with beer, water, and juice, which is available on an honor system -- guests are trusted to leave a euro in a jam jar for each item. The kitchen can also be used to cook other meals, with some essentials, such as spices, on hand. The owners are friendly and helpful, providing maps and recommendations upon arrival, though the front desk is not open 24 hours. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.