The Lumiares

Rua do Diaria de Noticas, 142, Lisbon, 1200-146, Portugal
Vasco Célio

Why We Like It

This painstakingly-restored mansion home offers very spacious self-catered boutique accommodations in one of Lisbon's most central locations. The rooftop bar and restaurant attract stylish locals, and the dazzling design of the lobby is almost as impressive as the handsome historic building itself. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about Lisbon's hidden hangouts as well as the big ticket attractions.

Fodor's Expert Review

This 2017 addition to Lisbon's impressive hotel scene offers chic mini-apartments in Lisbon's liveliest nightlife district. Occupying a grand 16th Century building (formerly the palatial home of the Counts of Lumiares) on an old cobblestone street, the hotel is within walking distance of the city's biggest sights and attractions, close to buzzing Bairro Alto bars and chic Principe Real shops. The beautifully-restored former mansion home is just steps from the famous Gloria Funicular, which doubles as a tourist attraction and handy lift between upper and lower Lisbon. The hotel's rooms and suites are much larger than most in Lisbon's historic center, and a gym, spa, restaurant and hip rooftop bar complete the picture.

Tip The location is good for party people, but excellent soundproofing means guests can get a good night's sleep despite the late-night bar hoppers below.

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Room

The 53 rooms and apartments at The Lumiares are all beautifully-furnished and generously-proportioned, ranging in size from 35 to 120 square meters. With high ceilings, polished wooden floors and lots of natural light, the rooms are unmistakably modern, but with a nod to the past in their retro-chic furnishings, and kitchenettes kitted out with Smeg appliances. Five-star touches include 300-thread count Portuguese cotton linens, and a mini-bar with complimentary treats such as wine, bottled water, and chocolates. Musically-minded guests can listen to their own playlists via Beats Pill wireless speakers, and the three Penthouse apartments have terraces with gorgeous panoramic views.

You Should Know Rooms are well soundproofed, but some on lower levels look directly onto the busy street scene or even into neighboring homes.

Bathroom

Freshening up at the hotel is a pleasure thanks to luxury bathroom amenities from the Portuguese brand Claus Porto, and super-soft towels and robes. The bathrooms feature lots of monochrome tiles, and have tubs and/or shower cubicles. In the loft-style apartments, the bathroom shares a mezzanine level with the bathroom, overlooking the kitchen and living area below.

Lobby

The lobby's dramatic monochrome stylings have real wow factor, and the savyy, stylish staff at the small reception area are very happy to advise guests on trips, tours and dining, and to make bookings where necessary. There's direct lift access to the lobby from the hotel's private car park, and guests can sink into sofas and armchairs to flick through the coffee-table style magazines and upmarket travel guides.

Spa

It's not the biggest in town, but the ground floor spa at the Lumiares has four treatment rooms and offers a range of beauty-boosting treatments and soul-soothing massages, using La Sultane de Saba products (all-natural and not tested on animals). There's also a sauna and steam room.

Gym

Small but well-equipped, the hotel's gym has high-tech equipment, and staff can advise on (or even accompany guests on) running routes around hilly Lisbon. One-on-one personal training sessions can be arranged on request.

Dining

The restaurant at the Lumiares caused something of a stir among hip Lisboetas when they opened in June 2017. Under the expert eye of acclaimed Portuguese chef Miguel Castro e Silva, the rooftop Lumni bar-restaurant serves traditional, Portuguese dishes with a modern makeover and accompanied by dazzling panoramic views. Breakfast is a buffet selection of tempting suite and savory treats, served in the same impressive dining space.

Drinking

The Rooftop Bar at the Lumiares joined Lisbon's ever-expanding collection of chic rooftop watering holes in June 2019, and trendy locals have been quick to adopt it as a favorite spot for summertime drinks and snacks. With views of the castle and down to the river, the bar is a pleasant place for pre-dinner drinks or just an evening's cocktail sipping.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

Taxi drivers are reluctant to drive along the narrow cobbled street that leads to the hotel, so guests should be prepared to do a spot of luggage-hauling to the entrance. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel (there's secure private parking beneath the building), and the regular Aerobus shuttle service stops nearby. The antique lift nearby provides takes the strain out of reaching the hotel from downtown Lisbon (Viva Viagem transport cards give discounted rides on Lisbon's lifts and funiculars as well as metro, bus and local train travel). Riding the trams and funiculars is a fun way to see Lisbon, and it's a pleasant walk downhill from Chiado to the riverfront, and along to the newly-regenerated Cais do Sodre, with its buzzing bar scene and the popular Mercado da Ribeira food hall.

Restaurants

Bairro Alto is a good location for foodies, with the maze of streets spanning out from the hotel home to more eateries than per square meter than anywhere else in the city. One unique spot nearby is Cervejaria Trindade (5-minute walk), where guests can enjoy steaks and grilled fish in the ornate tiled cloisters of a former monastery. Also within easy walking distance, the eminently trendy A Cevicheria is an enduring hot spot, serving Peru's most famous culinary export made with all manner of locally-sourced fish.

Bars

The streets surrounding the hotel may seem quiet during daylight hours, but after nightfall wooden doors swing open to reveal lively bars that begin to throng with party people as the clock approaches midnight. Along with casual bars and tourist-pleasing fado houses, The Decadente (2-minute walk) is a kooky bar-restaurant serving great cocktails in a grand space that was once the home of a Swiss Ambassador, while the terrace kiosks at the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint are ideal for sundowners with some of the best views in the city.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 21-116-0200