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Praca Luis de Camões No. 2 min price single:
150 min price double:
170 | A minimalist expression of a multitude of Lisboan influences, the lobby is remarkable for the sense of space and peace that it imparts; a marked contrast to the buzz of the streets outside.
Guests are greeted by two large contemporary wrought iron sculptures, made by the celebrated artist Rui Chafes, suspended within alcoves carved out of traditional Lioz stone. On either side, two archways coated in white colonial lacquer, lead through to the bar on one side and the reception area on the other, this lacquer effect carried through into the restaurant area.
Two dark green benches of sixteenth century design are the only furniture in the lobby, causing the eye to be naturally drawn to the abstract rose-shaped mosaic in the centre of the floor. This Venetian-styled 'terrazzo' marble floor runs throughout the hotel's public areas contributing to the fluidity of space and imparting a sense of calm.
Bringing the outside in, Moorish-inspired 'azulejos' panels of green, white and cinnamon-colored tiles line the walls of the ground floor areas. These glazed tiles are a distinctive feature found on the exterior walls of traditional Portuguese houses.
Key Selling Features
Located in the fashionable Bairro Alto district, the traditional heartland of intellectuals, artists and revolutionaries, Bairro Alto Hotel is Lisbon's first contemporary boutique hotel. Intimate in size it is the perfect base to explore this magical city steeped in history.
Capturing the indomitable spirit of exploration that pervades Lisbon, a city long associated with explorers, traders and settlers, Bairro Alto Hotel both embraces the Portuguese architectural tradition, while respectively turning it on its head.
Bairro Alto Hotel represents a fusion of the old with the new, it pays homage to the country's architectural and design styles through the ages, including exotic influences of its former colonies, while interweaving contemporary materials from other countries including England, France, Morocco and Italy. The past was also meticulously retraced in the sourcing of original materials and application of various styles. In the heart of the Bairro Alto district, in the Placa Luis de Camoes and in between rua das Flores and rua do Alecrim. To the south extends ''Rua Garrett'' with its fashionable cafes and independent boutiques. From here, it is only a ten-minute walk to the more modern shopping centre of Baixa Chiado and Lisbon's theatre land.
Bairro Alto Hotel is located in the square that bears a statue and name of Luis Vaz de Camoes, the soldier poet who told the story of Portugal's discoveries in his epic poem, ''Os Lusiadas''. To this day, Bairro Alto remains synonymous with creativity and revolution, the latter if only in spirit since the people's uprising in 1974.
The Bairro Alto district (literally the Upper City) is an historic enclave dating from 1513, which is reached in a novel way via the Santa Justa Elevator (a structure reminiscent of the Eiffel tower in Paris) from the lower city. The colorful district resounds to the calls of vendors and fishmongers, and the windows and balconies are festooned with laundry and birdcages. At night the area comes alive with some of the finest fado cafes in the city, along streets lit by Victorian lanterns. Fado is the famous brand of music and dance brought to Portugal by African slaves in the 19th century. Characterized by songs of sadness and despair, there is no better place in Portugal to experience this musical genre than in the Bairro Alto of Lisbon.
In recent times, Bairro Alto has also made a name for itself as an alternative shopping destination, popular with those looking for fashion and design outside the mainstream. Up and coming designers have increasingly chosen to move into the area, further contributing to the district's creative and economical regeneration. Rooms:55 |
