InterContinental Lisbon

The InterContinental sits at the top of Avenida da Liberdade, beside Eduardo VII Park, in the modern commercial half of Lisbon rather than the historic center. It is a large contemporary tower, and it makes no attempt to be anything else.

It should be said plainly that this is a different kind of hotel from most on this site. It is a well-run international five-star with all the scale, systems, and consistency that implies. What it cannot have is the idiosyncratic character that comes from an old building. The case for it, however, is generous space, sweeping views, and absolute reliability. If what you want is a large room, a proper desk, and a club lounge, this tower does that better than a converted palace with nineteen rooms ever could.

The Rooms The hotel holds 331 rooms and suites, all renovated in 2019. The classic categories start at 34 square meters, which is remarkably generous for a European capital where central hotels usually work with far less. Seventeen suites run from 43 up to 157 square meters, some equipped with kitchenettes, offices, and terraces. The decoration is minimalist and neutral, utilizing blue accents and subtle Portuguese detailing in the form of tile motifs and traditional guitars. Higher floors look over the park, across the old city, and down to the Tagus River. For the best experience, secure one of the upper terrace rooms.

Akla, the on-site restaurant, focuses on Portuguese and Mediterranean cooking under the direction of chef Eddy Melo. The hotel also features the UpTown Bar for evening drinks, and a dedicated club lounge for guests booking into that tier.

The location follows the same pragmatic logic as the architecture. You are situated near Marquês de Pombal and the Parque metro station, close to embassies, corporate offices, and the Amoreiras shopping district, and about five kilometers from the airport. The historic neighborhoods of Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama are a twenty-minute walk downhill, or a very short taxi ride away.