The charm of Lisbon has much to do with its vistas, its glimpses of the dazzling sea at the end of a long cobbled street; its endless glossy, tiled façades of blues and whites, pinks and greens illuminated by the capital’s special white light. A walk is a sensorial journey with the smell of sardines in the street, the ramble of pink bougainvillea, balconies of washing in a cacophony of colour, flapping in the wind.
But as the hotel boom continues visitors are being pulled inside, not only to the tile-clad churches, the excellent museums and the tempting restaurants, but also to the increasingly excellent spas. Here, legs aching from the cobbled pavements can be massaged with the region’s almond oil, treatments drawing on the local sea salt and citruses for scrubs invigorate, and facials into which are woven antioxidants straight from Portugal’s velvety red wines bring a healthy rather than alcoholic glow to every face. For a soothing stay in this dreamy city, here's our pick of the best spa hotels in Lisbon.
This landmark hotel was built in 1959 by the dictator, António de Oliveira Salazar, to prove that Lisbon could do luxury as well as any other European capital. More than half a century later it is still setting the bar. The spa is undoubtedly the best in the city, with an 18-metre lap pool as its centrepiece. Products are from Sodashi, Swiss Perfection and ESPA; manicures use Spa Ritual’s vegan nail care products. Four rooms offer treatments such as honey and almond scrub, the four-handed 'Symphony massage', and facials from Swiss Perfection, which deliver effective anti-ageing treatments. Of the 282 rooms and four luxury suites, all but 10 have private terraces with far-reaching views over Lisbon. Read expert review From £ 670This seductive hotel lies on the banks of the Tagus River and offers sleek, minimalist interiors and the Michelin-starred Restaurant Feitoria. Decorative artefacts lend a sense of heritage, as do the views over the 16th-century Tower of Belem, from where the great navigators set sail. The B Spa by Karin Herzog is excellent with Oxygen Spa therapy treatments, hammam, indoor pool, Turkish bath, Vichy shower rooms and experience showers. It's located in the suburb of Belém, four miles from the city centre and home to the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery. It is also the birthplace of Lisbon’s famous custard tarts. Read expert review From £ 238• The best five-star hotels in Lisbon
Epic Sana is centrally located and offers 311 dazzlingly modern bedrooms, a Portuguese surf 'n' turf restaurant, and a heated rooftop infinity pool with surrounding cabanas from which to watch the sun set over the Tagus River. The vast spa, Sayanna Wellness, is flooded with natural light and comprises an indoor pool, which looks onto a leafy garden, a sauna, Turkish bath and a well-equipped fitness centre. Treatments use Aromatherapy Associate products. There’s a breezy, cool vibe throughout the hotel's Onyx Bar in the ground floor lobby which spills onto the terrace and the UpScale Bar on the roof terrace, which borders the heated swimming pool. Read expert review From £ 220• The best things to do in Lisbon
The Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, formerly Tivoli Lisboa, is located on Lisbon’s main thoroughfare and has long been one of the capital’s landmarks. It was built in 1933 and was completely re-designed by acclaimed architect Pardal Monteiro in the 1950s. Today it offers 285 rooms and the sleek, go-to rooftop Sky Bar, as well as an attractive spa, adjoining the fitness centre, where a wide range of treatments are available including facials with French skincare brand Biologique Recherche. Massages can also be organised in the cabanas above the beautiful swimming pool, hidden in a garden of century-old botanical trees, which has the feel of a jungle paradise. Read expert review From £ 249• The best restaurants in Lisbon
Santiago de Alfama is located in the oldest part of Lisbon and has wonderful views over the capital's red roofs. Its 19 rooms are all different whilst celebrating the best of Portugal, from the modern art on the walls to the Claus Porto soaps in the bathrooms, while an atmospheric café serving Portuguese pastries and plates of local hams and cheeses spills out onto the cobbled street. In the basement you'll find the Beauty Bar, which offers facial and body treatments, massages, beautification sessions for both hand and foot ('manly' versions also available), eyebrow tidying and hair styling, with a cocktail or two to lubricate proceedings. Read expert review From £ 224• The best boutique hotels in Lisbon
The soaring tower of the Corinthia Hotel offers memorable views over the impressive 18th-century Aquaduct of Águas Livres, one of Lisbon's most iconic sights. The 518 luxurious bedrooms and suites are classically elegant; whilst the Erva Restaurant is a culinary destination in its own right. The spacious Spa on the ground floor includes an indoor swimming pool, a well equipped gym and an outlet of one of Lisbon's top hairdressers. Service is noticeably efficient and genuinely friendly, and there is a wide range of Espa-branded treatments available, from facials to massages. Read expert review From £ 123• The most romantic Lisbon hotels
This 98-room hotel is converted from three imposing turn-of-the century buildings just off the wide Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon’s main boulevard. The impressive array of facilities includes a heated indoor swimming pool, small rooftop terrace and hot tub and a good spa with double treatment rooms, sauna and steam room, with Aromatherapy Associate body treatments, Karin Herzog facials and Refinery products for men. The rooms are all spacious and come clad in blues and browns with lots of wood. Bathrooms have tubs and rain showers and Aromatherapy Associate amenities. Beds are particularly comfortable with high thread count cotton sheets. Read expert review From £ 154• The best hotels in Lisbon with pools
History is uniquely layered in this 60-room hotel, where Roman remains are interwoven with the palace’s 17th-century chapter as home to the Governors of the Tower of Belém. Conversion work includes a contemporary twist, while paying homage to Portugal’s rich cultural past. A vast spa incorporates a large indoor pool (swimming caps mandatory) with a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and experience showers. Treatments use the Italian Comfort Zone range, and there is also a gym open round the clock. In the gardens outside there is a swimming pool and a small pool for toddlers. Read expert review From £ 130• The best budget hotels in Lisbon
Located in the heart of the capital, Inspira Santa Marta offers a sustainable, holistic and eco-friendly retreat. Behind its 18th-century façade, interiors are contemporary with 89 rooms designed according to Feng Shui principles and the only gluten-free certified restaurant in Lisbon. The ReTreat Spa, managed by RitualSpa, features a colour therapy room, sauna, steam bath and whirlpool tub. Elemis products are used in the six treatment rooms. Service is excellent, with attention to detail to ensure the hotel maintains its eco-credentials. There is also a well equipped fitness room. Read expert review From £ 99- The flagship property of the small, but perfectly formed, Memmo Hotels collection, with sister pr... Read expert review
- Perfectly located on the Praҁa dos Restauradores, this hotel faces the Avenida da Liberdade on on... Read expert review
- Rising high above the heart of Lisbon, opposite the leafy, Eduardo VII Park, the InterContinental... Read expert review
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