Pestana Palace

This 19th-century palace was built by the Marquis of Valle Flor on the riches from his cocoa farms in São Tomé. He created a magnificent garden of botanical specimens and both palace and gardens are now classified as National Monuments. Beautifully restored and converted into a five-star hotel in the 1990s by the Pestana Group, it has since proved popular with celebrities. In addition to the main palace, there are two modern wings that stretch diagonally into the garden and which house the majority of the comfortable rooms. Palace rooms are for romantic revivalists rather than minimalists. The bar, numerous sitting rooms and dining room are old school in decoration and style, but are definitely atmospherically easy-going new school. The indoor and outdoor pool and spa is where the Pestana Palace comes into it's own. It's a joy after a frenetic days sightseeing to sit with a cold beer amongst the guests who decided to stay put all day, enjoying the sunshine and spa facilities. Stay here to relax whilst knowing that a 7 minute taxi ride will take you to the buzzing centre of Lisbon.