For more than eight decades in business (the hotel was built in 1933), the Tivoli's group grew and expanded within and outside the city. Its Avenida da Liberdade firstborn remains one of the city's classics. Lisbon is not New York but if you had to draw a comparison, you'd say the Tivoli is Lisbon's version of the Big Apple's Plaza when it comes to fame, recognition and location. The Avenida da Liberdade, with its designer shops and international brands such as Cartier, Gucci and Louis Vuitton is not far behind Manhattan's 5th.
But enough with comparisons. The Tivoli's history has been slow and deliberate, allowing the hotel to adapt to the market and phase in a much needed renovation program. In 2016, its Thai owners invested 15 million euros in a total makeover of the rooms and common areas. You don't want to mess with perfection, though: no changes were made to the top floor terrace, proud host of the Sky Bar, one of Lisbon's hippest rooftops, nor to the botanic garden with a swimming pool.
There are two different sets of rooms (Classic and Collection), mostly the same in terms of decoration and size. The suites (15 in all) are the most modern. They come with both a shower and a marble bath (regular rooms have no tub), LCD screens (even in bathrooms), an iHome system for Apple devices, wi-fi and a coffee machine. With all that, you won't want to leave the room. Still, there are two good reasons to take off the robe, put your clothes on and go down to the ground floor: the Tivoli Caffè, where you can have a drink, and the Brasserie Flo, where you can enjoy the flavours of French cuisine. If you go the other way, towards the sky, you will find the top floor Terraço, which offers a traditional Portuguese menu and a view towards the Tagus that makes every meal a little more special.