Pousada Lisboa
Lisbon's downtown pousada—part of a national network of hotels in historic buildings—this former government ministry, whose presidential suite was the office of the dictator Salazar, has been overhauled with a view to elegance and comfort. Statues line the corridors and other artworks abound. Guest rooms are decorated in a simple contemporary style; the pricier ones afford amazing views of the square and river. A generous buffet and à la carte breakfast is served in the interior patio, whose transparent roof is retracted on warmer days. The in-house Rib restaurant serves fine steaks and Portuguese wine, but lighter alternatives may be ordered either there or in the bar. There's just one other pousada in the city: a much smaller property in the Alfama neighborhood.
