Lisbon has many wonderful luxury hotels, but nobody looking for a great place to stay should overlook the Olissippo Lapa Palace. The hotel offers comfort, opulence, indulgence, superb service and great food, of course, but that little list barely begins to describe the wonders this establishment offers. Location is one of its greatest aspects.
The Olissippo is located among the fabulous historic buildings of the city’s diplomatic quarter. As well as being a genteel area, it is also situated on a hillside with a fabulous view across the River Tagus. All that means guests can stay in an area free from too many crowds, yet very close to all the attractions and shopping of central Lisbon. In particular, it is just five minutes away from the lively docks area and very near the best shopping the city has to offer. The hotel itself is a luxury 19th-century palace, remaining a family home for Portuguese gentry until 1988.
Now, it has a wealth of fine facilities, not least the brilliant spa. Lapa Palace Spa offers some truly wonderful massages, offered by highly-trained staff who can tailor treatments to suit individual guests. In addition, guests can enjoy the Turkish baths, a gymnasium, plus both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The rooms at the hotel are in three wings, the Palace Wing, Garden Wing and Villa Lapa. Each of them comes with a wonderful mix of the old and new, showing hints of the original 1870s decor, but also the pristine condition that arises from being redecorated in the 21st century. Each room has its own individual style, while there is a wide variety of artwork and sculptures to suit all tastes, notably Art deco, Colonial, Algarvian and Neo-Classic styles. As well as the grandeur and artistry, there are plenty of mod-cons, with each room having free Wi-Fi and cable TV, a DVD player, air conditioning and a private bathroom with bathtub and bidet.Quite simply, the Olissippo makes every guest feel like they are staying in a palace – and that’s because it is.
