In the heart of Lisbon, a few steps away from the Castelo S. Jorge, the Palacio Belmonte is Lisbon´s oldest palace. You almost dont notice it as you walk up the cobbled street up to the large wooden red door. Beautifully restored by the hand of its present owners, with meaningful and quirky pieces of art scattered all over the suites and the differerent rooms of the palace, it´s almost like sleeping in a private museum. The suites are very spacious and all unique, with arty features and plenty of books and music, although there are no mod-cons such as TVs or DVDs but the bathrooms are definitely modern and just as spacious. The views of Lisbon and the Tagus river from the various windows and terraces are breathtaking. You dont expect to find a garden with huge orange trees and a pool here and although it was January when I stayed there, I just wanted to sit there and read a book in the afternoon sun overlooking the city...A place for total romance or to just get away from it all and reconnect with the luxury of lost time.

Spent the last two nights at the Palacio Belmonte - hated to leave. Loved the scale of the hotel, Our room/suite (#5) was on four different floors. Kitchen on the lower level, drawing room and bath on the second level, bedroom on the third and a terrace with the most magnificent view of Lisbon and the river on the fourth. Don't miss this hotel I have stayed in them all from Calridges, to the Ritz to the Aman hotels and Palacio Belmonte tops them all!

Palacio Belmonte is a simply beautiful restoration of a palace in the atmospheric Alfama area of Lisbon . Location is excellent ..steps from the Castle but very private. You feel special as you walk through the large red door and realize that you are not touring a museum or palace but rather staying in one. Sometimes such hotels are rather stuffy and not comfortable but that was not the feeling here.Each room is unique and the reservation staff (I communicated via email in advance) is very helpful in matching each guest to the perfect suite. We stayed in Ricardo Reis and just loved it..it even has a terrace with stunning views and sitting out there at night one can hear all the fado singers echoing over the Alfama...this atmosphere is a rare find in a large city. Service here was five star plus with a beautiful multi course breakfast brought to the suite or anywhere you want it...assistance with dinner reservations including a printed confirmation of your booking together with map and telephone number etc. The excellent staff would even walk you to your suite if you got lost. There are so many areas to explore one can just get lost (and I did) looking at all the public rooms and gardens . There had been some previous negative reviews here on TA which I know reflects a time when the owners were not onsite and had other management in place...that did not work and now for the last months or probably a year the owners are once again on site and making sure everything is just like it was in the early years after the restoration. I booked in spite of those reviews with the knowledge that the owners were back and am very glad I did. Maria (one of the owners) was very kind and interesting and shared lots of information about the history of the palace. For most of us this hotel is a "splurge" but I felt it was worth it for the unique accommodations....if you are a traveler who is looking for that special experience I would encourage you consider the Palacio Belmonte...contact them as the website rates etc. are not necessarily what they charge depending on time of year etc. My only caution would be if you have any mobility issues or other physical challenges let them know as certain suites involved tiny spiral stairs.. I look forward to returning to Lisbon and the Belmonte.

Imagine staying in a rambling palace built in the 1400- 1600's that has taken millions of euros to restore! Some of the walls date back to before Christ (the Roman tower) and during the time of the Moorish occupation-- such history! Although it doesn't have tv's or stand up showers in some of the suites,I didn't miss modernity. The best things in life are done for love and not for money---the restoration of this remarkable building fits that bill. They'll never make back their investment but what a gift to folks like us who got a delectable taste of this project!

The owners are back in the saddle managing the hotel after getting rid of the previous management company who bungled the job (some of the previous bad reviews were during that tenure). It was a couple of days in when we discovered that we were being attended to by the owners who, although they have restoration projects all over the world, treated us like we were their personal guests in their home. Such gracious hospitality.

A luxurious breakfast overlooking the old city, getting lost finding our room, and remarkably distinct rooms filled with art and antiques will forever live in my mind as one of the best hotel experiences of my life.