The best hotels in Chiado

Hidden in a narrow Chiado street, it is located smack in the middle of Lisbon's nightlife and the historic centre. It is but a very short (downwards) walk to TimeOut Mercado da Ribeira, where you can find the city's top chefs' restaurants. It is thus a great starting point for discovering Lisbon without making detailed plans, even if your family came along. With Martinhal, the adults can go out, have fun and enjoy Lisbon in peace while the kids are left in charge of the hotel staff.

The hotel has 47 rooms, some of them with a balcony or a patio, but the best view is from the sixth floor terrace, where you can see Lisbon all the way to the river, ideally with sunglasses on while holding a glass of wine. Downstairs, there is no restaurant but Le9 serves light meals; there is also room service. It is important however to notice that the bar does not specialize in food but in mixology: their original cocktail menu is infusion based – they have a great selection of teas. Breakfast is a neverending food festival, so you'd better pace yourself: homemade yogurt, detox juices, “nata” tarts, croissants, five varieties of bread, bacon and eggs are some of the offering. Free parking is available, and so is free wi-fi throughout the hotel.

Hotel do Chiado was born in a Pombaline building brought back from the ashes by renowned architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, who made a point that every one of its 40 rooms should include a patio or a private balcony with a view towards the Tagus and the São Jorge castle hill. Lisbon begs to be gazed upon, and Hotel do Chiado is the perfect spot to do it – even more so from the Entretanto Rooftop Bar, where the panorama extends as far as the eye can see, all the way until the Arrábida Range. The insides of the hotel have been renovated more than once, and its early garish colours were replaced by a soberer look. Feng-shui principles dictate the room layout, with classic furniture and neutral tones to enhance the relaxing mood.

Its 96 rooms have different moods and vibes, classic and modern, some traditional, others a bit extravagant, with fur blankets and velvet armchairs. If your room is in the front of the building, your view will be of the busy Largo do Chiado. You won't see far, but that's a small price to pay for staying in the centre of the centre. There is no restaurant in the premises, and no need for one either, considering how many dining options you have in the vicinities: you can dine fish at Sea Me, only five minutes away, or walk the same distance for a Neapolitan pizza at Mercantina. Breakfast is served buffet-style and there is a terrace with a bar to enjoy the sunny days.

The Carmo's 48 rooms, much like the rest of the hotel, operate under a “less is more” rule, with classic furniture and neutral colours, and the occasional shiny bauble – a gold-rimmed mirror, a colourful armchair, bucolic wallpaper, a leather-upholstered big chair. Only the top floor rooms have an old-style bathtub and a broad view of the Tagus – try and get one of these. If that's not possible, any balcony will afford you a view of the Largo do Carmo. That's not a particularly fascinating view, but history buffs might be interested in learning this was the stage for Portugal's April 25, 1974 revolution, and that nearby lie the ruins of the Carmo Convent. There is also a lively kiosk and plenty of outdoor tables where you can sit and spend a lazy evening watching passersby.