The Ivens, Lisbon, Autograph Collection

"Why book? Designed by the well-known Spanish interiorist Lázaro Rosa-Violán and the Portuguese Cristina Matos, The Ivens is inspired by the journey of Ivens and Capelo, two of the greatest Portuguese explorers of the 19th century. Travelers and explorers for the new era: This is your place, with no doubt. Set the scene. The Ivens has arrived to show the sophistication of the colonial Portuguese style and to connect the Chiado neighborhood, one of the most rip-roaring of the city, with locals. That’s the reason why Rocco, its restaurant, is one of the places to be right now in Lisbon. Fully booked day after day, here you can find creatives, artists, bohemians, and beautiful people dining or drinking cocktails. The backstory. This is the second Autograph Collection by Marriott in Lisbon—Fontecruz Lisboa is the other one. The Ivens Hotel was home to the first luxury warehouse in the city in the 19th century as well as the first Portuguese public radio. The iconic building is in every way representative of the 19th century, a period which has marked the spirit and culture of the city. Yet another example of how the Autograph Collection is always looking for very special properties to increase its portfolio.The rooms The 87 rooms are designed by Cristina Matos, who chose subtle tones—such as beiges, whites, and greens—with notes of color in the wallpaper and carpets, all of which allude to fauna and flora, and artistic ceilings. Black-and-white flooring predominates in the bathrooms in the standard rooms, while marble is used in the ten corner suites. Panoramic views look out to the Tejo River or to the Chiado. Amenities are by Jo Malone, with a personalized citrus fragrance for the hotel.Food and drink. Its restaurant, Rocco—with more than 500 square meters and 165 seats—offers a tribute to the Mediterranean, the Italian cuisine, and the Portuguese tradition in three different ambiances. At the top of Crudo (“raw”) you will see the counter, where the fish and seafood are prepared. Gastrobar is the central bar and serves meals at any time of the day. Try their special Negronis, the traditional bacalhau à bras, and oysters from the Sado, a river next to Comporta beaches. At Ristorante, the idea is to choose your favorite dishes and craft a tailor-made experience. The lobster with garlic butter, parsley, and saffron risotto is mandatory. And don’t forget to try the tiramisú, made at the moment in each table with tons of mascarpone. The neighborhood/area Intimate and crowded, decadent and sophisticated, Chiado is the best neighborhood to understand why everybody falls in love with Lisbon. Here you can find boutiques, antiquites, flagship stores of Portuguese designers, the famous mall Armazéns do Chiado, and, of course, tons of little bars and cafés. It’s very close to Cais do Sodré in the river, famous for its nightlife, and to Bairro Alto, more underground and bohemian.The service Casual but classy. Note that the Portuguese service is well-known for its special amability and closeness. They will help you if you want to go to nearby golf courses or rent a bike, and organize horseback riding, hiking, or swimming in the beautiful beaches of Costa da Caparica.Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List? Lisbon is experiencing a great moment in the world of travel. In recent years, a lot of new boutique hotels, cool restaurants, and nice shops have changed the city. The Ivens has arrived in the heart of the Chiado neighborhood to confirm this success, with a seal of approval from Marriott. We fell in love with The Ivens because its storytelling talks about explorers, travelers, and incredible adventures that are part of the history of Portugal. Like an oasis hidden in the city (but not hidden from it), when you walk through the door you will find tropical plants, parrots, macaws, beetles, velvet armchairs, and golden details. It’s an authentic jungle in the middle of one of the most romantic cities of the world." - David Moralejo