Olissippo Lapa Palace

The only bad part of Olissipo Lapa Palace is getting there – the Lapa is a maze of steep and narrow streets – but everything else is incredible. Hidden among the mansions of four-surname-plus-two-hyphen-named families, this 19th century manor house is as close as it gets to a modern day royal palace. Think Downton Abbey – or maybe not. For starters, let's face it, the Lapa Palace has a big edge on the Crawley home simply based on location – it's in Lisbon! Also consider that the British estate seems somewhat lacking in terms of creature comforts, and that is something in which the Lapa Palace excels.
Its classical imperial style will have you constantly gaping even if you think you're immune to the charms of a wooden dresser, an elegant curtain or a crystal chandelier. The decoration and the landscape are different in each room (some face the Tagus, others the exotic garden). The palace suites have the largest four poster beds you will ever see, wherein two people can stretch diagonally and not touch each other. The gym with its heated swimming pool and the spa are great indoors options for a relaxed time, but on sunny days it's a sin not to enjoy the garden and the outer pool. The Le Pavillion bar serves juices and snacks all day long.
At the Lapa restaurant the menu is Italian – a fine experience but one would expect it to be a little bit more emotional. The Rio Tejo Bar tea room has a menu with more than 40 different Asian herbs and infusions.