The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is the ultimate luxury escape for your next trip to Portugal’s capital. Here’s why.
Lisbon is increasingly the destination on everyone’s lips, and it’s no wonder why. Beautiful architecture, a vibrant architecture and some of the best restaurants in Europe, it should be the next destination on your must-visit list. The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz is a grande-dame of Lisbon’s hotel scene and the perfect place for you to base your luxury break.
First impressions count and when we pulled up to the hotel it was immediately apparent that this was a property very much in line with the Four Seasons brand. The mildly imposing postwar architecture provided the perfect backdrop for the luxury interior. Check in was seamless, and we were comfortably ensconced within our deluxe room within a matter of minutes from arrival.
Architecture and Design
The Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon was built in the 1950’s and has maintained its post-war aesthetic architecture while keeping completely up to date with the demands of a modern hotel. However you feel about post-war architecture (though we love it, it’s said that the right-wing dictator, Salazar, who commissioned the hotel was not very keen on the Courbiesier-influenced exterior), there’s no denying that the interior is something to behold.
In a time when so many luxury hotels work along many of the same design aesthetics of super-clean, shiny buildings or go all out to position themselves as quirky or eccentric period properties, it is refreshing to see that the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is unafraid to forge its own course.
The unfussy dominance of the architecture and structured lines of the exterior, provides a sense of significance to the building. This was mainly due to the vision of the lead architect Quieroz Peirera, who was prominently influenced by renowned designers of the time such as Le Courbusier.
Once you enter the hotel, you are immediately transported into what the Four Seasons does best; luxury. The grandiose interior boasts high ceilings and opulent marble floors; this traditional style of grandeur is contrasted with the array of beautiful tropical plants and cacti that ornament the lobby. Rare marble is featured in over 40,000 square metres of the hotel; this wonderfully lavish material is accompanied by an art deco and Louis XVI design.
Rooms
The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is spread out over ten storeys. It features 282 rooms, 273 of which have private terraces that overlook the well-manicured hotel gardens, as well as many of the city’s landmarks including Eduardo VII Park, St. George’s Castle, the Old Town, the Tagus River and the 25th of April Bridge. The rooms are spacious and furnished with eighteenth century replica furniture, casually offset with contemporary Portuguese paintings, tapestries and sculptures.
The hotel is actually home to the largest contemporary art collection in the city and display artists such as Almada Negeiros Lounge and Estrela Faria. Uciy. They even have their own app to help you explore the art available.
As you enter, you could argue that the room is a piece of art in itself, with its minimalistic design, subdued hues and capacious feel. As I was situated in a Premier Room on the 10th floor, I was met with a panoramic view of the city from my private balcony. The room also features an art-deco style mini bar, so you can play bartender and enjoy a beverage of your choice in the comfort of your room. There’s also a gorgeous bathroom, glistening with rich, black marble and stocked with L’Occitane products.
Food
Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and a weekend brunch, the Varanda Restaurant is much more than just a hotel restaurant. You can dine with the view of the Eduardo VII Park, whist sampling the delicacies on offer from the impressive menu. Both lunch and dinner offer a delicious and varied buffet. Alternatively guests can embark on a fine dining journey, through the dinner a la carte menu.
Chefs Pascal Meynard and Carlos Cardoso have created sumptuous menus, showcasing their culinary creativity and craft. The starter of roasted crayfish, artichokes cream, green asparagus, macerated orange with green sansho, was perfectly balanced in flavours and deliciously fresh. For main course, and my personal favourite, the sea bass with Ritz salt and myrte citronné, clams from Ria Formosa, “Bulhão Pato” and budha hand emulsion, was stunning and really showcased the delicacy and flavour of the sea bass. The desert of dark chocolate croustillant, cremeux of salted caramel with tonka beans ice cream, was rich yet balanced. All in all, an indulgent treat suited to a hotel such as the Four Seasons.
Guests can also drop into the Almada Negreiros Lounge, which is an ideal place to unwind with a book, enjoy the view or indulge in an afternoon tea or coffee. Alternatively, the Ritz Bar’s warm, inviting atmosphere and large outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to while away an afternoon.
Spa and Activities
No weekend getaway is complete without a spa treatment. If you want to pamper yourself, the Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz is a great place to pamper yourself and unwind. Take your pick from the wide range of treatments and massages on offer. This soothing oasis surrounds you with music and aromas that strokes the senses and sends you into a state of relaxed bliss. You can choose from body treatments, facials, or one of the spa’s signature massages such as the hot stone massage and aromatherapy massage.
Had enough relaxing? Why not take a lap in the 18 meter indoor pool overlooking the hotel garden. You can enjoy a workout with a view at the hotel’s state-of-the-art rooftop fitness centre, providing breathtaking views of the city.
When it comes to accommodation in Lisbon, the options are seemingly endless but the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz stands heads and shoulders above the rest when it comes to luxury accommodation and five star facilities.
Contact Details
Address: R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88, 1099-039 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 381 1400
