Brown's Central Hotel

Brown’s Central Hotel is a modern upscale hotel with a central location that attracts mostly couples in Lisbon to sightsee. Travelers enter a small lobby with wood-paneled walls and a single wooden front desk. From there, it opens up to a trendy lounge that’s a mix of contemporary and vintage furnishings including hardwood floors, retro upholstered chairs and leather benches, and back-lit bookshelves displaying books that include topics such as history, art, and music. The bar and restaurant are super classy, done up in trendy red booths, playful framed portraits, yellow tiled or parquet wooden floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide natural lighting. There’s even a lovely outdoor patio on a cobbled street with wooden tables shaded by black umbrellas. With plans to add more rooms, meeting space, and a gym, this boutique hotel will become increasingly more attractive. 

As the name implies, Brown’s Central Hotel is ideally located in the heart of central Lisbon. The Baixa District -- which is home to the hotel -- is packed with restaurants, boutiques, and cafes, as well as attractions, public transport, and more. It’s a two-minute walk to the popular Rossio Square and only eight minutes to Avenida da Liberdade, a street filled with designer shops and dining options. The Tagus River is a nine-minute walk away. Other popular tourist attractions include Sao Jorge Castle, which is around a 20-minute walk, and the Santa Justa Elevator, which is just two minutes from the property. The nearest metro station -- Baixa-Chiado -- is a two-minute walk from the hotel, while the Rossio train station is a six-minute walk. Lisbon's Portela Airport is about a 20-minute drive, or around a half-hour by public transportation.

As is often the case in European hotels, many of the rooms here are fairly small, especially the aptly named Tiny Room and the Small Double Room. Despite their size, though, the individually decorated rooms are chic and stylish, with a modern, masculine style punctuated by retro furnishings. Most have hardwood floors, muted color tones in navy and brown, and leather chairs. Vintage phones, lamps, radios, and patterned cartoon wallpaper (in some) give the rooms a playful vibe. There are plenty of modern amenities, including air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars, large flat-screen TVs, espresso machines, kettles, and safes. Some rooms have sleek, dark kitchenettes with two-burner stoves, sinks, tableware, and pots. The Junior Suite also comes equipped with a Mac desktop computer. Guests should book higher-floor rooms for the best views. Bathrooms are particularly trendy and upscale, decked out in white marble, with vessel sinks and glass showers with waterfall showerheads. Hairdryers and Damana toiletries are provided.

As is typical of many boutique hotels in central Lisbon, Brown’s Central Hotel has little in the way of facilities. For instance, there’s no gym or spa, but a good, simple breakfast is served in the mornings and is included in room rates. Other dining options include Brown’s Brassiere, which offers lunch, and the hotel bar, which serves cocktails late into the evening in a cool lounge setting. It often hosts live performances, readings, and other events. Note that there is no room service. Free Wi-Fi is available, as are Mac desktops and a printer in the lobby. There is no on-site parking.