Santa Clara 1728

93

Editor Rating
Scale of 90-100

Set within an 18th-century mansion, this six-suite hotel is located in a relatively quiet section of the Alfama neighborhood. Designed by Lisbon architect Manuel Aires Mateus, this is the first urban property in a collection of small guesthouses across Portugal. Mateus took care to use traditional building materials (Lioz marble from Sintra, pine flooring) as well as pedigreed furnishings (B&B Italia four-poster beds, Hans Wegner chairs) to create an atmosphere of stylish serenity that also feels inherently Portuguese. Public spaces include an entrance hall centered around a modular sofa under an enormous moon-shaped globe light; Ceia restaurant, where convivial dinners are served; and a sitting room where complimentary snacks and drinks can be enjoyed. Of the two categories of rooms, the Santa Clara suites are larger and divided into three ample living areas — bedroom, sitting area and bath — with unadorned but beautiful furniture. Note that the hotel lacks air-conditioning, and all rooms are devoid of televisions and phones. The hotel’s pared-down but exquisite interior design resembles, in many ways, a sophisticated Japanese ryokan. In-room spa treatments and guided city tours can be arranged.

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