Lisbon is no longer just ‘having a moment’, it’s firmly at the top of every travel hot list. As a result, if there’s one thing this charismatic capital is not short of, it’s hotels. But step inside The Vintage, tucked away on a quiet street in upmarket Príncipe Real, it’s clear that this is no run-of-the-mill stay. True to its name, retro style reigns here: rich, block colour and curved modernist lines paired with mid-century furnishings – all collaborations with local artists and makers, so Mad Men-coded I half expected Don Draper himself to turn the corner with a whiskey glass in hand. With 56 rooms and three suites, an intimate rooftop and expansive, subterranean spa, this five-star hotel feels every bit as tempting to linger in as the city beyond is to discover.
Why stay at The Vintage?
If you like hotels with personality, you’ll love The Vintage. Every detail feels curated, not corporate, with plenty of Portuguese creativity infused throughout – including an eye-catching painting of a female fado singer by Portuguese artist Margarida Fleming hanging pride of place in the bar. But it’s not style over substance, thoughtful touches like your own ‘Vintage’ gin and tonic kit in your room are a fun touch. The location is spot on too: tucked away from both the bustle of Avenida de Liberdade and Rua da Escola Politécnica – the main street in the fancy Príncipe Real neighbourhood – yet just minutes from some of Lisbon’s best bars and restaurants. With friendly service and peaceful rooms, it’s a hotel you’ll be very happy to return to after a day exploring the city.
What are the rooms like at The Vintage?
The commitment to the vintage theme doesn’t stop at the hotel lobby. Spacious rooms – from ‘Vintage Superior’ to ‘The Castle Suite – come in rich colour palettes of forest green, terracotta or midnight blue, complete with mustard-yellow vintage telephones and mid-century dark wood furniture. One standout touch: a brass bar cart with a complimentary ‘Vintage’ gin and tonic kit – created by Portuguese cocktail expert Nino Lopes – for your own Mad Men cocktail moment, complete with Alentejan Sharish gin, botanicals and Fever-Tree tonic. If beer is more your thing, local craft beers come already chilled in the fridge, alongside soft drinks – all complimentary for the first round.
I was staying in ‘The Castle Suite’, which – as the name suggests – offers views of São Jorge Castle and the old town of Alfama in the distance. This spacious, apartment-like suite had an open plan feel with a lounge area and large desk separated off from the sleeping area with double sinks (and double rain-head showers to match). Ideal for a couple or even a small family. I loved all the little details, from the Couto toothpaste in vintage-style packaging to the Claus Porto toiletries and even a postcard for the memories (complete with jumbo pencil). The only thing I wouldn’t have minded being more ‘of the times’ were the manual blinds, which were clunky and I never quite got the hang of.
What is the food like at The Vintage?
Paying homage to Lisbon’s skies, the 70-seater Blue Bistro, with its (you guessed it, blue) banquette seating, serves lunch and dinner, and a generous continental buffet at breakfast. In the mornings, the spread includes smoked salmon, local meats and cheeses, tropical fruits, cereals, pastries and cakes aplenty. An à la carte menu adds options like avocado toast, eggs made to order, açai bowls, the signature ‘blue pancake’, and barista coffee. I couldn’t decide between the ‘blue pancake’ and the ‘blue omelette’ so I ordered both, which the portion size allowed (don’t worry, nothing actually comes out blue).
With so many great restaurants on its doorstep, it’s no surprise that the restaurant felt quieter at night, but the elevated Portuguese dishes on offer, overseen by Chef João Silva, proved worth the visit. I started with fluffy cod fritters (moreish) and burrata salad (the least memorable of my picks), before moving on to spicy chicken wings and the standout: crispy hake fillets on a warming bed of tomato and coriander rice. All washed down with an excellent bottle of crisp Alentejan white called Encantado.
After dinner, I headed up to V Rooftop – an intimate nook of a rooftop bar with comfy sofa seating overlooking the Old Town across the city. Snuggled under a blanket I ended the night with their cocktail of the month: Ginger Moonshine, with whiskey, banana, honey water and ginger ale. A great end to the evening.
What is the service like at The Vintage?
As a five-star hotel, standards are high when it comes to service, but happily they were met. I was accompanied to my room, where my lovely host explained where I could find everything and all the quirks of the suite (like how to use the AC). Spa reservations were sorted quickly and the WhatsApp concierge proved handy for questions on the go. One touch I particularly liked was lavender-scented face towels as part of the turn-down service.
What is the spa like at The Vintage?
Make sure to leave some time in your day to explore the subterranean spa: it’s well worth it. Slip into your fluffy robe and get the lift straight down to the calming, low-lit spa, where you can chill in a sauna, steam room and pool to a soundtrack of soft jazz. Treatments are on offer too if you need a little extra R&R after some strenuous sightseeing, as well as a small gym if your day wasn’t strenuous enough. Just make sure to book a slot at reception and you may even get the whole place to yourself.
What’s the area like around The Vintage?
Walk a few minutes up to Príncipe Real’s main thoroughfare and you’ll find one of the best shopping and dining streets in the city. Shop upmarket Portuguese brands at Embaixada, a gorgeous concept store housed in a 19th-century palace, or take a moment in the shade and listen to some live music at Jardim do Príncipe Real (if you’re here on a Saturday, don’t miss the morning farmers market). The botanical garden is also well worth a visit. You’re never too far away from a Pastel de nata in Lisbon, but some of the best can be found at Manteigaria, or if you’re more in the mood for an ice cream, head to NIVA. In the other direction, you’ll find Avenida de Liberdade, a wide, tree-lined boulevard with designer boutiques if you’re feeling particularly spenny.
Why should you book a stay at The Vintage?
The Vintage strikes the perfect balance: retro design with personality, warm service, and a location that’s close to the action yet quiet when you want it. With an excellent spa and cosy rooftop that’s a prime spot for a chill and a sundowner, it’s precisely the sort of place you’ll want to return to after a full day’s exploring to recharge the batteries.
DETAILS
Address: R. Rodrigo da Fonseca, 2, 1250-191 Lisboa
Price: Low season from €200 per night, high season from €240 per night
Closest transport: Avenida and Rato metro stations; 30 minutes by taxi from the airport