Santiago de Alfama - Boutique Hotel
Hotel · Castelo
R. de Santiago 12, 1100-494 Lisboa, Portugal
Highlights
15th-century palace hotel w/ spa, regional restaurant, bar
15th-century palace hotel w/ spa, regional restaurant, bar
"A family-run boutique hotel set in a former 15th-century palace just below São Jorge Castle, this intimate property (19 rooms) blends historic features—wood-paneled ceilings, intricate cornices and hand-finished details—with modern comforts like rain showers and bespoke linens. Many rooms offer Tagus or courtyard views and include interconnecting configurations suitable for families; the limited number of rooms creates a personalized, almost B&B feel with staff who quickly learn guests’ names. On-site dining at the café/bistro Audrey’s highlights seasonal produce from the hotel’s kitchen garden." - Laura Dannen Redman
"For all Santiago de Alfama’s grandeur, it spans just 19 rooms, which means even the most (relatively) humble room offers ample space to spread out. They’re all different, but they’re all attractive, spanning centuries of design history, from restored period architectural details to modern artworks and contemporary furniture. And the views, thanks to Lisbon’s hilly topography, are impressive, encompassing varying vistas of city rooftops and the river." - MICHELIN Guide
"Santiago de Alfama Lisbon’s oldest district is known for its labyrinth of narrow streets, abundant Fado bars, and numerous historical attractions. Opened in 2015, the Santiago de Alfama is a draw in its own right: It occupies a former 15th-century palace just below São Jorge Castle and offers 19 accommodations withviews of the River Tagus or courtyard garden, as well as unique configurations, including interconnecting bedrooms that would be ideal for families. Most combine traditional features such as wood-paneled ceilings and intricate cornices with modern comforts like rainshowers and bespoke linens. The property also has the amenities of a larger hotel, from a spa and meeting space to two restaurants (be sure to linger over petiscos and Portuguese specialties like oven-roasted cabrito at Manny’s Bar),yet with so few guests rooms, the staff will always know your name."
"Santiago de Alfama Lisbon’s oldest district is known for its labyrinth of narrow streets, abundant Fado bars, and numerous historical attractions. Opened in 2015, the Santiago de Alfama is a draw in its own right: It occupies a former 15th-century palace just below São Jorge Castle and offers 19 accommodations withviews of the River Tagus or courtyard garden, as well as unique configurations, including interconnecting bedrooms that would be ideal for families. Most combine traditional features such as wood-paneled ceilings and intricate cornices with modern comforts like rainshowers and bespoke linens. The property also has the amenities of a larger hotel, from a spa and meeting space to two restaurants (be sure to linger over petiscos and Portuguese specialties like oven-roasted cabrito at Manny’s Bar),yet with so few guests rooms, the staff will always know your name."
"We stepped through the jaw-dropping doors of Santiago as its first-ever guests and instantly knew this would be a front-runner amongst Lisbon's boutique hotels. Years later, they continue to prove us right. Owners Heleen and Manny bought this 15th-century palace (then a run-down bra factory) in 2010, immediately seeing its full potential. Their visionary transformation has kept the building true to its past, yet it has been pulled into the 21st century and turned into a stylish and restful space. There are just 19 bedrooms, along with an atmospheric café-restaurant-bar and a Beauty Bar (Martini with your manicure? Why not!). Mod cons are well considered and subtle (sound-proofing, speakers in the bathrooms), and Roman ruins unearthed during the build have been exposed and celebrated. Better still, you get all the things that are missing in many boutique hotels - lots of space, wardrobes, great bathrooms and indulgent Bvlgari products. Heleen’s eye for detail has created nothing short of a masterpiece. The doors open onto a quiet cobbled street, yet the old town's bustling hotspots, Insta-worthy viewpoints and a stop for the famous Tram 28 are a stroll away. We felt thoroughly spoilt (and, dare we say, a little smug to have discovered Alfama’s hottest hidden gem?). . Highs All rooms, even the cheapest, are generous sizes for a city hotel, and bathrooms too Beautiful, understated style - high quality abounds but things remain simple Equally suited to couples, friends and families; not an easy balance to achieve Set on a quiet street in Lisbon's oldest district, a short walk from Castelo de São Jorge and viewpoints across the Tagus river Trams (including the famous yellow Tram 28) rattle past a few hundred metres away so it's easy to hop on and explore the city Lows Occasionally service in the restaurant can be stretched, but it's worth the wait Be aware this area of the city has steep and cobbled streets, so might not be great for those with mobility problems Prices are fairly high compared to other Lisbon hotels, but we think it's worth it" - Kate Parsons
