EVOLUTION Lisboa Hotel

The EVOLUTION Lisboa Hotel, which opened in 2015, is chic and modern, and attracts a young, hip, and professional crowd eager to enjoy the party vibe of this property. The hotel's modern glass facade is a bit quirky, with a large statue of a hand serving as a column on one corner of the building. Open, sleek spaces characterize the decor, as do polished white floors, high ceilings, and modern funky orange and gray armchairs and round couches. This property is notable for its self-service, so in addition to a small, tucked away front desk with an attendant in the lobby, there are also self-service check-in kiosks. The self-serve theme permeates the entire hotel, with a restaurant that has grab-and-go items and facilities that are open 24/7. The first-floor features a white, sleek restaurant with communal white tables, a bar with neon blue lighting, skylights, and an outdoor patio with high tables. The second and first floors offer relaxing lounges with orange and gray furniture and many outlets and tables that create a welcoming work environment. The bar on the second floor services party-goers in the evenings and at night as the lobby DJ booms loud hits into the early hours. 

The hotel is located on a very busy curve in the Duque de Saldanha Square in Lisbon. The location is good for travelers as there are a vast number of shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes nearby. It’s also a particularly business-oriented neighborhood. However, for tourists, it’s a bit far to reach most attractions on foot. The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is the nearest attraction at a 15-minute walk away. Tourists can hop on the nearest metro -- a four-minute walk -- or bus stop (two minutes) to explore the rest of the city. It’s about a 10-minute drive to the Lisbon Portela Airport, or 25 minutes via public transportation.

There are only two types of rooms available -- Cool Rooms or Super Cool Rooms. The only major difference between the two is more space and the addition of loveseats in the Super variety. All have a punchy style of futuristic white-on-white decor paired with either electric orange or cobalt blue. Open-floor plans maximize space using built-in desks, shelves, chairs, and open closets. The rooms are particularly tech-friendly -- most flat-screen TVs are set into the wall, room features can be managed by an app on your phone, and Bluetooth speakers allow for mood music. Rooms lack mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities, however, but have safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are sleek and modern, but its design might pose a privacy issue for some: There are two small circular pods with frosted glass; one holds the shower with a waterfall showerhead, while the other houses the toilet. Hairdryers are provided, as are toiletries in wall dispensers. The best views are those overlooking the square. Note that lower-floor rooms might be subject to loud music from the lobby DJ. A maximum of two people are allowed per room. 

EVOLUTION Lisboa Hotel packs plenty of punch when it comes to amenities. It has an indoor swimming pool next to a high-tech, medium-sized fitness center with cardio and weight machines with TV screens. There’s a wellness area with a sauna, baths, and showers. As for dining, the hotel provides a 24/7 restaurant, however, be prepared for a lot of self-service as it has pre-packaged grab-and-go items and doesn’t offer room service. The hotel also offers a trendy bar and an outdoor patio. In the evenings, post-work parties are held in the bar and lobby area with a DJ spinning loud beats late into the night. A breakfast buffet of hot and cold items is offered daily, but it costs a fee. The hotel is business-friendly with a single fully equipped meeting room, a business center with Mac desktops and a printer, free Wi-Fi, and a lounge area set up as a relaxed work area. Underground parking is available for a fee.