SANA Malhoa Hotel

From the outside, the SANA's glassy, nine-story building is all corporate, but things loosen up a bit inside. The hotel has somewhat of a modern retro vibe, with mid-century modern furnishings and decor that make the hotel feel like a fun, casual office from the 1960s. The lobby is airy and minimally decorated with glossy white floors, light-wood paneling, and chic, retro touches including rectangular wall hangings in muted yellow, orange, and green. Light blue walls in the stairwell combine with tall windows for a serene feeling, and the whimsical blue and yellow window blinds are more decorative than functional, contributing to a light-heartedness that's refreshing for a business-friendly property. The Mediterrâneo Restaurant is filled with light from large windows and furnished with chairs in bold aqua and orange. A glass-enclosed atrium and an outdoor terrace with simple wood furniture give two other spots to lounge. Guests are mostly business travelers, who take advantage of amenities that include a projector with a screen in the Lobby Bar, which is furnished with plush couches that continue the restaurant's aqua-orange color scheme. 

The hotel is on a quiet street behind the Praça de Espanha square, surrounded by other chain hotels and bank headquarters, though there’s not much nearby in the way of restaurants. It’s within 10 minutes' walking distance of the Gulbenkian Museum, and 15 minutes on foot from the El Corte Inglés shopping center and the Lisbon Zoo. It’s a six-minute walk to the Praça de Espanha metro stop. Baixa de Lisboa, the historic center, is about 20 minutes by metro. Lisbon Portela Airport is about 30 minutes by metro or a 10-minute drive.

The 185 guest rooms, which include four suites, are simple and cheerful with decor in shades of gray, pale blue, and brown. Simple light wood desks and round tables furnish the spaces. Mattresses are on the firm side, and might be too hard for some guests. The TVs are small and of the older tube variety, though they do have cable. All rooms come with stocked minibars, air-conditioning, and safes. Bathrooms are more up to date, with lovely aqua tile, glass-walled shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and lots of counter space. Suites are on the top floor and have panoramic views from verandas, as well as separate living areas; each has two minibars, TVs, and work spaces. 

The hotel’s Mediterrâneo Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with a good selection of hot and cold dishes, a buffet lunch on weekdays, and dinner. The Lobby Bar is open late and has a plasma TV and a piano. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The gym has a handful of cardio machines and free weights plus fitness classes. There’s also a spa with a small hot tub and a sauna, and massages can be requested. A small business center has two desktop computers and a cigarette machine. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there are seven meeting spaces on-site, including three with natural light; space for up to 700 people is available altogether. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available.