The Lisbonaire Apartments

Occupying a 1960s building, The Lisbonaire Apartments was fully renovated and opened in 2011. Interiors are inspired by downtown Lisbon and channel a stripped-down, minimalist look with black floors, raw wooden elements, and metal railings. However, quirky details like woven shopping bags, book displays, and wall-mounted bird sculptures keep things from looking too stark.

The hotel’s centerpiece is its common area in the basement. Exposed ductwork creates an industrial vibe, while colorful rugs, large comfy gray sofas, and trendy artwork give the place a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere. One of the striking features of the hotel is its rooftop terrace, which was created out of eco-friendly recycled material and offers a lovely outdoor space to relax in. In addition to comfy wooden seating, it also has an herb garden and offers city views. With spacious areas and kid-friendly amenities and services, it’s no surprise that families and couples are the main clientele here. 

The property occupies a convenient central location that's a two-minute walk from Avenida da Liberdade, a popular avenue filled with shops and restaurants galore. Rossio Square is a five-minute walk away, while the Santa Justa Elevator is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The popular Chiado area is a 12-minute walk away, while the Alfama neighborhood and the Sao Jorge Castle can be reached in about 25 minutes on foot. The closest metro station is just a three-minute walk away, while a train station can be reached in five minutes. Lisbon Portela Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive from here, or about a half-hour via public transportation. 

This property offers stylish studios and one-bedroom apartments that were designed by Portuguese artists. Decor varies slightly among units, but most have wooden floors, simple platform beds, and white linens complemented by cozy blankets. Quirky artistic elements abound, such as wall collages made of old magazines and books or wall-stenciled flowcharts with icons and text. All apartments have full kitchens that include sinks, microwaves, refrigerators, coffeemakers, stoves, ovens, kettles, and toasters. Other amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and washers (but no dryers). Some have furnished balconies. For families with young children, the hotel can provide cots, push chairs, high chairs, baby bath tubs, changing mats, and toy boxes. Bathrooms are sleek and equipped with trendy vessel sinks, shower/tub combos with deep tubs, hairdryers, bidets, and toiletries. The hotel advertises daily housekeeping, however, a few guests report otherwise. 

For an apartment-style hotel, the Lisbonaire provides a stellar lineup of facilities that encourages camaraderie and lures guests out from their individual units. One such feature is the stylish common room with table games like pool and ping-pong, a flat-screen TV, a children’s play area, and a small library. The lovely rooftop terrace -- with wooden outdoor furniture, potted greenery, and views over neighboring rooftops -- gives an alfresco spot for guests to mingle. While there's no restaurant or breakfast service, the property does provide an honesty bar with affordable drinks like sodas, waters, coffee, and beer. The hotel's small fitness room is limited, though it covers the basics with a few cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. There's no business center, but Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there’s a computer available for guest use. 

The front desk operates for limited hours, however there are multiple signs, computers, brochures, and QRC codes that provide helpful information -- there's even a personal app that guests can download. Other perks include luggage storage and a gift shop that sells items like perfume and handmade wool blankets. On-site parking incurs a nightly fee.