Lisbon Arsenal Suites

Billing itself as a "Hotel Museum," this stylish contemporary property incorporates the history of Arsenal Street (the street it's located on) into its interiors, featuring artistic renderings of various events that took place in the area throughout the years. Every floor depicts a different theme and century, offering descriptions of what occurred. The small lobby is not much more than a white front desk tucked under a staircase and a large black-and-white historic photograph blanketing one of the walls. A red velour chaise lounge provides limited seating here. Though the hotel has an elevator, it’s a great experience to walk up the stairs, which feature descriptions and photographs of Arsenal Street history. Breakfast is served in a cozy dining room with white floors and tables offset by rustic floor-to-ceiling wooden beams. Set in the city center, this hotel is a hot spot for couples on a getaway.

One of the biggest draws of Lisbon Arsenal Suites is that guests don't have to trek far to appreciate Lisbon’s most popular sites. The property is around the corner from the Praça do Comércio square, which is bordered by the Museum of Lisbon, Patio da Gale, and the Arco de Rua Augusta. It’s a 10-minute walk to Lisbon Cathedral and 20 minutes to Castle de Sao Jorge. Chiado, a famous shopping district, is about 10 minutes away on foot. There’s also no shortage of restaurants and cafes on surrounding streets. It takes two minutes on foot to reach a bus stop, while the nearest train and metro stations can both be reached in six minutes. Lisbon Portela Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive, or around 35 minutes via public transportation.

The 24 guest rooms continue to pay tribute to the area's history with artistic murals above the beds that correlate with each floor’s historic era. But beyond that detail, rooms lean in a minimalist, modern direction with glossy wooden floors, white walls, and wire-leg nightstands. Gray tufted chairs and turned-leg desks add a dose of elegance. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Studio Suites offer extra space, additional day beds, and kitchenettes with microwaves and two-burner stoves. A few have wrought-iron Juliet balconies that provide a little ledge to take in the street scene (though they're too narrow for furniture). Bathrooms vary in style and size -- some are more up-to-date than others. They all feature small showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Some have bidets. Be aware that due to the central location, guests have reported bothersome noise from the neighborhood, as well as from their neighbors due to thin walls. 

Features at Lisbon Arsenal Suites are few. There’s a breakfast buffet that costs a fee and includes hot and cold items like meats, cheeses, eggs, ham, pastries, and fruit. Room service is offered, but it's limited to basic sandwiches and coffee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The hotel lacks an on-site restaurant, gym, or parking, however nearby public parking is available for a fee.