Review: The One Palácio da Anunciada Lisbon hotel review

Why book?

With new hotel openings in Lisbon seemingly every few weeks, deciding on a property can be overwhelming. In my experience, you want three very important things: a great location, excellent service and unique touches. This property ticks those boxes, and more.

Set the scene

Blissfully free from any hills (a rarity in Lisbon), The One Palácio da Anunciada is a peaceful respite from chaos from the minute you step inside, when your luggage is seamlessly whisked away and you’re offered a cold glass or Portuguese sparkling wine. Located two minutes from both Avenida da Liberdade (Lisbon’s most prestigious shopping avenue) and Praça de Rossio, you can explore much of the city without having to take on its steep inclines, which for some is reason enough to book. If location isn’t all-important to you, you’ll still be taken in by the property’s palatial restaurant, secret garden above the bustling street and relaxing pool – undoubtedly one of the longest in Lisbon.

The backstory

The five-star property, which opened in 2019, was once a 16th century convent. The famous 1755 earthquake destroyed it, and it then became a palace, belonging to three families. The hotel’s renovations were done lovingly, and many original features remain to this day; from the 18th century flooring, to the stunning painted ceilings and sweeping spiral staircase.

Many elements made the stay feel like stepping back in time: the cave-like hallways outside the spa, where I envisioned past residents taking a stroll, the stained glass windows reflecting light inside, and the many maps found when hotel renovations first began, dating back sometimes hundreds of years, now proudly framed and displayed on the walls. While the rooms and facilities are undoubtedly modern, these small reminders of what Lisbon was helped create a travel story in my mind that will last beyond my trip.

The rooms

With 82 rooms, this is a large hotel, but it doesn’t necessarily feel that way. Each room has a sumptuous oversized bed, a desk for working, and an array of handy bathroom products ready for guests to use. During our stay, we were in an attic room, which was spacious and even had a separate seating area with a small sofa and chair.

I loved the many small touches, from the local ginjinha liqueur and sweet treat left in our room at night to the very practical control panel, which had a British plug built in. The sloping windows didn’t let in quite as much light as I would have liked, but the small box seats underneath them were a dreamy place to sit and watch the city go by.

The food and drink

Breakfast is a luxurious affair. The menu is vast, and there is no buffet – everything is brought fresh. Guests can order as many times as they like, so it’s a little easier to pace yourself than those times when you’re faced with a room full of food that’s too tempting to resist.

Guests can choose to sit in or outside, but we opted for the terrace, where you can eat with the view of the street around you. This area is also used for the hotel’s famous brunches and afternoon teas, available to non-guests, so it can be busy, but worth the wait. Cobblestone pavement, known as "calçada portuguesa", is so synonymous with Portugal for me, so it was a beautiful finishing touch to see this above floor level on the outdoor patio.

We didn’t manage to eat at the Condes de Ericeira restaurant, but I took a stroll through the dining room during the day and was impressed by the grandeur of the room, all high ceilings and hand-painted frescoes.

The spa

Like much of the property, the spa is something of an escape – beautifully quiet, with a small indoor pool that guests need to book, meaning it never becomes overwhelmingly busy. While I didn’t have a treatment during my stay, I did spot that the menu is personalised to guests, and uses homemade oils alongside Naturabisse products.

The neighbourhood

There’s no doubt you’re in one of the busier areas of Lisbon, with a theatre and a row of restaurants right outside the door. That will be a selling point for many – everything is within walking distance, and it’s easy to locate. However, those craving quiet may find the hustle and bustling a little disarming, despite the silence of the hallways.

The service

Service is efficient and warm, from the speedy check-in to the warm welcome you receive as you head in and out of the hotel. We didn't make any special requests during our stay, but staff were very happy to walk us through the property, and were full of knowledge about the history.

Eco effort

The hotel has its own garden on-site, where they grow as much produce as is manageable in a city centre hotel. As is to be expected, there is no single-use plastic available at the property, and the cleaning team uses eco-friendly products.

For families

The pool is made for families looking for some chill time during a busy city break. While the majority of guests were adults, children are well catered for at the hotel's restaurants, and the central location of the property makes getting home early easy.

Anything else left to mention?

You'll spot artwork throughout the hotel on display; know that this is available for guests to buy, should they wish, and that most paintings are from Portuguese artists. Art and beauty are key elements of this property, so it makes sense that guests can take a little bit home, too.