For a luxurious and authentic Portuguese experience, head for Lisbon’s Memmo Alfama, a charming boutique hotel in a picturesque part of town on the banks of the Tagus River. Baroque Travel has a taste…
This charming, relaxed hotel is located in Alfama’s narrow streets lined with traditional shops, classic restaurants and colorful weathered little houses, close to Lisbon’s Cathedral and Sao Jorge Castle. With its welcoming home-from-home feel, the hotel lets guests experience Lisbon like a local. Staff provide guests with tips on where they like to go in the neighborhood to dine, to shop and to explore. And at the hotel itself there are books begging to be read, slices of homemade cake to grab en route to the terrace and the pool, not to mention authentic Portuguese cuisine and wines to tempt the taste buds.
Memmo Alfama is set in an ancient courtyard; the 19th century building has been transformed into a contemporary, authentic establishment featuring natural woods and designed in a sandy palette of grays. It offers a relaxed simplicity that makes one feel right at home – a home that is luxurious without being pretentious. Simple touches make all the difference… evident in the yellow toilet paper that is reminiscent of Alfama’s legendary Number 28 retro yellow tram that passes the end of the alley and the framed old record sleeves of famous Fado singers that adorn the white walls.
The terraced red-tiled infinity pool and Wine Bar offering poolside drinks (wine, port and champagne) and a tapas menu invite one to relax and soak up the view. If you prefer, you can curl up in the lounge or the library with a borrowed book on Lisbon’s fascinating history. Buffet breakfast is a daily feast, served in the Living Room with its long communal wooden table, with plenty of fresh fruit, pastries, cold meat, cheeses and a selection of hot dishes.
Guest rooms either overlook the Tagus River and Alfama’s little houses or the pretty flower-filled inner patio. Some rooms have balconies with stunning river views, whilst others boast exquisite bathrooms. All the bedrooms feature lime-washed floorboards, crisp white linen on the comfortable beds and polished en suite bathrooms with huge rain showers.
Alfama is a labyrinth of medieval alleyways, little plazas and hidden staircases all waiting to be explored. The hotel is the ideal base from which to discover the area’s magic. Don’t miss the fabulous Feira da Ladra (‘thieves’ market’) where you can pick up some souvenirs that are quirky and ‘different’.