The five-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade is an elegant abode on Lisbon’s main artery, L’Avenida Liberdade, a wide, leafy boulevard lined with designer boutiques and overflowing pavement cafes. A landmark since 1933, the original building was redesigned in the 50s by esteemed architect Pardal Monteiro and, more recently, its interiors were brought into the 21stcentury with a major revamp. A new glass dome threaded with gold trellis floods the lobby with light, shining a natural spotlight on the Art Deco interiors. Expect damask sofas illuminated by brass-based table lamps, turquoise armchairs sitting atop huge patterned rugs, and dark wood accents offset by acres of gleaming marble.
This glossy stone makes an appearance in the guestrooms too, encasing en-suite bathrooms and topping copper tables. Style is the name of the game here: rooms and suites are all dark wood, leather finishes and hanging pendant lights. The latter come with more space (some with a separate sitting area) and luxury touches – Hermès toiletries, views of the Avenida’s mosaic pavements, and access to the top-floor Executive Lounge.
Adjacent to the lounge is a wood-panelled breakfast room, where a heaving buffet – cereals, yoghurts, meats, cheeses, fresh bread – is served every morning. In the summer, guests can eat on the outdoor terrace overlooking the pastel-toned sprawl of the city, down to the river Tejo below. The Castelo, perched on one of Lisbon’s famed seven hills, can be glimpsed in one direction; a picturesque huddle of terracotta roofs and lemon-toned facades, the other.
But the hotel’s crowning glory is the Sky Bar, a rooftop haunt with white sofas and tables arranged around a central bar, flanked by olive trees in huge white pots. Young mixologists pour colourful cocktails to a soundtrack of chilled house music by an uber-hip tattooed DJ. Groups of chic Lisbonites tuck into platters of sushi, while suited businessmen toast the end of a working week and hotel guests stare wide-eyed at the incredible views across the city.
Down on the ground floor, the more casual Cervejaria Liberdade dishes up traditional Portuguese plates and locally caught seafood – freshly shucked oysters, sea bass, John Dory, lobster thermidor. Full-length windows wrap around the pale-wood dining space, offering a front-row seat to the lively Avenida beyond, while a feature wine wall showcases bottles from the region and beyond, uplit with softly glowing lights to create a warm, intimate environment.
One floor down takes you to the subterranean Anantara Spa, where candle-lit marble corridors lead to a clutch of treatment rooms. Here, adept therapists carry out Asian-inspired treatments using products by French skincare brand Biologique Recherche. On the menu is a selection of facials, massages (Lomi Lomi, full body, aromatherapy) and signature rituals (think sauna session, foot therapy, orange body scrub and body massage). There’s a fitness centre and a sauna, too.
Behind the hotel is a oval-shaped outdoor pool – a rarity in central Lisbon hotels – set against a backdrop of pretty azulejotiles, and one of the highlights of the hotel: a tranquil retreat from the city buzz, encircled by palm trees, junipers and a fuchsia cloud of flowers. A handful of sun loungers are the perfect place to while away a few hours, while a small poolside bar serves drinks and light bites. If you can drag yourself away, you’re a short walk from the city centre, from the maze of steep alleys in historic Alfama to the smart shops of Chiado and the elegant squares of the Baixa and Rossio.
Rooms start from €200. suites from €400 (including breakfast). For more information, including details of offer, events and other properties in the portfolio, visit www.tivolihotels.com.
