The Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, is located in a 19th-century palace building in an idyllic position overlooking the Tagus River. It was a privately owned family home until 1988, when it was sold by the family of its creator, the Count of Valencas, to the well-known Simoes de Almeida family, who transformed it into the wonderful hotel that it is today.
The transformation took some four years under the direction of architect Alberto Cruz, and the painstaking renovations were careful to retain as many of the original features of the palace as possible.
As a result it forms a fascinating window onto 19th century life amongst the landed gentry in Portugal. Of particular note are the lovely stained glass windows in the Columbano and Eca de Queiroz rooms, as well as some lovely furniture and a well-preserved 170-year-old carpet.
The Olissippo Lapa Palace hotel in Lisbon is divided into three sections – the Palace Wing, the Garden Wing and the Villa Lapa. A total of 109 rooms is offered across the three areas, in a combination of standard and superior rooms, junior suites and grand suites.
The Count of Valencas Suite is the grandest room in the hotel. Located on the fifth floor, it has been carefully decorated with lamps, mirrors and furniture from the original palace and is adorned with gold leaf on the walls.
Even the standard rooms at the Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel in Lisbon exude grandeur and benefit from a wide range of amenities including free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, spacious clothes hanging area, private en-suite bathroom with complimentary L’Occitane toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, make-up mirror, hairdryer, bathroom scale, safe, cable TV, DVD player, radio telephone, work desk and mini bar.
Some also may benefit from an electric kettle and/or coffee machine, and come with lovely hard wood floors.
Head for the Lapa Spa to relax and unwind after a hectic day of sightseeing. Here you will find a heated indoor pool (there is a further pool outside), steam bath and Turkish bath, and a well-equipped gym.
Portugal is a food-lover’s heaven and there are several options for high-quality dining in the hotel itself. The main restaurant serves a variety of delicacies with a distinct Italian twist, while Le Pavillon restaurant is a rather more laid-back affair, open during the summer months by the poolside.
Head to the Rio Tejo bar for a drink on the expansive terrace overlooking the glistening waters of the Tagus River.
Olissippo Lapa Palace
Rua do Pau da Bandeira, 4
1249-021 Lisbon
Tel: +351 213 182 791 / +351 213 182 794
Fax: +351 213 182 799
www.olissippohotels.com
