Staying Places: Hotel Britania, A Delightful Boutique Hotel in Lisbon

AN ART DECO GEM, conveniently located in Lisbon’s heart, just around the corner from the Avenue da Liberdade, the city’s grand main boulevard, the small and delightful Hotel Britania was our pre-cruise Lisbon choice. Good friends had given us a recommendation and they couldn’t have been more right.

A much-appreciated warm welcome from the affable concierge and a room upgrade greeted us after our overnight flight. The impeccable history of the art deco property charmed us, as did the décor. You should consider a three-day stay here in order to see all of the remarkable sights and neighbourhoods. Lisbon is a great city with much to see and do.

The hotel has a lovely pedigree, having opened in 1944, in the last years of World War II. It was considered one of the most modern and luxurious hotels in this neutral city, and a favoured haunt of Portuguese high society.

Today, the charms are evident, with many public areas restored to their former glory. Furnishings, woodwork, paintings, marble floors and objets d’art in showcases create a delightful atmosphere and evoke the art deco era. Even the old barbershop still exists!

Classified today as a building of architectural, historical and cultural interest, the Hotel Britania offers 33 spacious, air-conditioned rooms with original cork floors and furniture. All the amenities one could want are here, including Molton Brown bath products and 24-hour room service.

The main floor offers a retro-feel bar, again with original furnishings, and a charming sitting room - both of which harken back to the 1940s and 1950s, with many art deco aspects that make this hotel unique – the ideal place to sojourn in Lisbon.

Written by Vanessa Lee for Cruise & Travel Lifestyles (Summer 2022 issue). Photos courtesy of Hotel Britania.