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Palácio Príncipe Real opens its doors and welcomes guests to a luxury palácio, located in the heart of Lisbon's trendy Príncipe Real and with a large garden, swimming pool and a yoga room. All of the bedrooms give guests a flavour of times gone by when life was lived at a slower pace and afternoon tea was enjoyed in the drawing-room or garden.
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Palácio Príncipe Real, nestled in the heart of Lisbon, garners accolades for its exceptional service and luxurious amenities that ensure a comfortable stay. Guests have called out the hotel's pristine cleanliness and praised the stylish, spacious rooms for providing a tranquil retreat.
Although the hotel's central location is a hit for those looking to explore the city, the less desirable views are occasionally noted. While opinions on value diverge, with some questioning the price point, the hotel's atmosphere—elegantly charming with a touch of whimsy—consistently impresses visitors.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Lavish
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I debated writing this review: this oasis in the heart of Lisbon is too special to share with all of you. However, owners, Gail and Miles Curley deserve acclaim for the wonderful and unique hostelry which they have created. And it really is a hostelry: the garden is a feast of planting from Pepper Trees to Hydrangeas with bougainvillia and Hibiscus complementing the other varied planting. Here you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner - nothing is really too much trouble for the attentive staff. The rooms are cool, high-ceilinged chambers of calm: the whole experience is more like staying with affluent friends in Lisbon with great taste and impeccable houskeepers. With only 25 guests and a policy of no children under 16, the Palacio is one of those all too rare temples of relaxation for adults. As a 'Lisboeta' , [one who lives in Lisbon], I had no real right to stay there. But in 99 degree heat, the thought of the Palacio garden with its swimming pool was too tempting so I vacated my flat and took the short taxi ride to Principe Real. I had visited the hotel over two years ago when it had first opened and been impressed. This time, I was charmed and enthused by how finished the property now was: loved all the small touches such as the linen bag which holds the slippers, the complimentary beach bags in the room, the toiletries and the thoughtful breakfast. Guests wandered around looking dazed and blissed out and the garden is a thing of wonder. I didn't leave the property for 24 hours - it was that good! I am serious contemplating selling my flat in Lisbon and moving in permanently!
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Eat in the garden and enjoy the wonderful surroundings.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Aug 19, 2024
Thank you for choosing us for your "staycation" - we were delighted to welcome you back here and we hope that you will come back and join us for dinner in the garden very soon! With kind regards - your friends at Palacio :)
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It is challenging to articulate the pure brilliance of this hotel, particularly without repeating what previous reviewers have said. Like others, we have been privileged to stay in a number of Lisbon‘s fantastic hotels but the Palácio Principe just does things a little bit differently, and a little bit better. As far as I could see every irritating niggle from other luxury hotels around the world have been corrected by Miles and Gail and their teams creating this most beautiful tranquil oasis in the heart of such a fantastic city. The staff are friendly and helpful, my wife’s massage up there with the very best, the rooms are elegant,contemporary and stylish. The food and drink….I think you get the picture! The only mistake was that we only booked 2 nights and should have stayed longer. We will next time!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Oct 19, 2023
We would all be very happy to welcome you back for a longer stay, it was so nice that you appreciated some of the little things we do to try to make our guests' stay as comfortable as possible. We are pleased to hear that your wife enjoyed her massage with Filipa and we will pass your feedback to her. Ate a proxima - your friends at Palacio
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Palácio Principe Real is quite simply the best place we have ever stayed on a vacation . It ticks every box in the book . From the moment we arrived until we departed 5 days later we were treated with the utmost hospitality from every single member of staff. It is a little gem situated in the middle of a buzzy city. Our bedroom was the quietest we have ever been allocated on a holiday. It was like being in the middle of the country with not a sound to be heard . The bed was so comfortable and the elegant, stylish room was pristine at all times with the added addition of shutters to keep out any type of light that might perhaps keep you awake. The owners Miles and Gayle greet you with a lovely friendly welcome and are constantly on the premises to make sure your stay is everything you want it to be. The breakfast , lunch and dinner are exactly what the health conscious tourist could wish for. We had an amazing New Years Eve dinner celebration with other guests during our stay. Miles and Gayle joined us from beginning to end which made the celebration feel like a regular family get together. The staff are so professional, friendly, efficient and thoroughly good humoured and are always there to attend to all your needs. I have no doubt Palácio Principe Real is even more magical in the warmer season as you could sit in the garden and experience this magnificent haven in the centre of a city . We would highly highly recommend this place for a holiday. Thank you Miles, Gayle and all the staff for making our holiday a momentous experience. Your attention to detail is meticulous . We really look forward to returning soon . Anne and Barry
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Brilliant Location
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Although the owners of the hotel have carried out very major renovation work, many imperfections spoiled our stay: The location of the building is opposite an old, unrestored building and the view from our room overlooked the neighbors' dilapidated balconies. The room was spacious and very bright but the bathroom (where the toilet is also located) was separated from the bedroom only with a light curtain!! In addition there was a single sink stuck to the wall with no place to put your toiletries. Minimalism taken to the extreme. The decoration of the hotel was full of childish details (animal reproductions: dogs, plastic ducks on the swimming pool, etc.) in very poor taste, accompanied by a Renault 4L and a Porsche in the entrance to the hotel (belonging to the owners)!!. Breakfast was frugal and it was impossible to have a basket of pastries (no bread, toast or croissants, etc.) We really had the feeling of being in a guest house run by individuals who do not know the hotelier profession but whose prices are those of a palace at €850 per night!!! Not to mention the transfer from the airport where we waited for the driver for 25 minutes, who was in a different location than the one indicated to us by the hotel... The quality/price ratio was absolutely not there, that's what displeased us.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel is every bit as wonderful as people say. The service from the young, enthusiastic staff is faultless. The hotel desk kindly booked restaurants and cars for us and happily moved all the bookings when air traffic control went down in the UK and we had to rearrange our stay. Each morning the front desk would enquire whether we needed any help with our days plan. Carla in particular has a wealth of knowledge about Lisbon and recommended a very enjoyable day for us.
We ate dinner in the beautiful oasis that is the hotel garden on two occasions. The menu is plant-based, which we would not normally choose, but the meals we had were tasty, well thought out and excellently prepared by the Chef. We also very much enjoyed ordering Portuguese wine from the very knowledgeable and charming, Miguel. Breakfast was lovely - plenty of fruit and a selection of healthy, hot breakfasts. We also really enjoyed relaxing in the pool area and were brought snacks and fabulous cocktails.
Gail, the owner, who met us arrival and promptly offered us a glass of wine, has done an excellent job restoring the Palacio. It is extremely tasteful and elegant, with plenty of different spaces for guests to relax, beautiful lighting and lots of flowers and nick knacks that make it feel more like a home than a hotel. Our room was very well appointed, with coffee and a free restocked mini bar so you could do coffee or have a beer or glass of wine. Housekeeping was excellent - the towels and sheets, that the hotel launder on site, were like new and the room was tidied and bed turned down twice daily like clockwork and when we were absent.
Every detail has clearly been thought out by Gail and her excellent team. Certainly one of the finest small hotels we have ever stayed in.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Nov 9, 2023
Thank you for such a lovely review - September is usually a beautiful month to visit Lisbon and we are happy that you could enjoy dining in the garden and sitting by the pool as well as visiting this colourful city. Miguel and Carla are very proud of their heritage and are delighted that you enjoyed their recommendations. Come back soon - still lots to see and experience here
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If I had to describe what this place feels like, I would say it feels like you’re visiting a rich relative who wants you to feel at home. This place has a vibe that’s at the same time hard to articulate and yet omnipresent—candles and reed diffusers infuse each room with scents of vanilla, amber, and rose, the furniture is a mix of old world and modern charm, and the rooms feel like those of a house, not a hotel. My sister and I stayed in a garden room on the top floor and the vaulted ceilings and large proportions, with shuttered windows that opened onto the garden made us feel like we were staying in our own bedrooms back home. This establishment is filled with “little things” that set apart good hotels from great. They provide a fridge stocked with complementary food and drink, flowers, a candle is lit in your room upon arrival, and there’s a bluetooth speaker and welcome fruit in the room. Because you can communicate with the concierge via WhatsApp, one evening when our tour was running late they had us order dinner early so it was waiting for us and another afternoon we were able to book massages while shopping. Notably, every meal, and I mean every meal, we had was delicious and fresh with plenty of vegan options. Every breakfast, there was a juice of the day, homemade granola, and our order of avocado toast was some of the best we have tasted. Dinner was equally delicious with delectable soup, exquisite bread, vibrant salads and every meal was beautifully presented.
The one issue we had was promptly resolved: our beds were quite hard and after the first night we messaged them and they promptly added mattress pads.
Overall, this is a fantastic gem in Lisbon and we are so glad to have ended our vacation with our stay here. If we are back in Lisbon, we will definitely stay here again!
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Ask for a garden view room. The breeze rippling through their large trees adds chill vibes.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Sep 29, 2024
It was our pleasure to welcome you and your sister and we are very happy that your beds were more comfortable after we added the "toppers". Our kitchen team are also pleased to hear that you loved our food - we love to hear that our guests enjoy the menus we prepare. We hope that you will visit us again and bring the rest of your family!
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No words can adequately express how fabulous this ultra-luxe hotel is! The historically significant palace, long abandoned, was meticulously restored and converted to a gem. Public areas are abundant and tastefully furnished. It has a large garden with a beautiful, heated pool (too bad, it was too cold to enjoy it but we'll be back). Our room (304) is unique in that it features a huge terrace overlooking the entire city plus two full bathrooms. But a tour of other (unoccupied) rooms underscore the owners' uncompromising attention to detail and their respect for the building's heritage and history. Even the basic rooms are large by any hotel standards, full of light, and updated with modern amenities. Minibar is filled with yummies (compliments of the hotel).
We arrived on Christmas, just in time to join other guests for a delicious traditional Christmas feast. And guess what? We were given presents!
Miles and Gail Curley, the British couple who embarked on this massive project, give their all to make each guest feel special, like long lost friends. Staff is unparalleled in their attentiveness and helpfulness. Linen, towels, mattresses...all fluffy and luscious. Even if I try, I can't find one thing to complain about. That's what sums up this hotel!
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:No children under 16 -- for us, that's a huge plus! But it will preclude families with children.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Palácio Príncipe Real is a stunning oasis in one of Lisbon’s best neighborhoods. It is not only beautiful, it is tranquil, quiet, unhurried, and secluded. Once you step inside its beautiful front gate, you’d never know you were in the center of the city. The hotel is a few blocks from my favorite street in Lisbon, Rua Dom Pedro, with the best restaurants, shops, and views of the city. This hotel is an obvious passion project for its owners, Gail and Niles, and you see the love they poured into this property in its exquisite details. If you’re lucky, they will pour you a glass at their beautiful marble bar and teach you a bit about Portuguese wine. The staff is wonderful and attentive, the menu is delicious, the rooms are luxurious, and their efforts around sustainability are impressive. If you come here, make sure you 1) have an extra afternoon just to relax on property, 2) come back from exploring and jump in the lovely infinity pool, and 3) book a Dream Bath room. I have traveled my whole life, and this hotel is in my top 5 worldwide. Enjoy!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Book a Dream Bath room
Make sure to spend an afternoon by the pool
Have at least one meal...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Jul 2, 2023
We are so happy that you had a lovely time with us and we hope that you are enjoying the rest of your time in our beautiful country. Come back soon!! Our kindest regards, Gail, Miles and the Palacio Team
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I loved staying at Palacio Principe Real. It distinctively balances the best of a boutique hotel with true five star luxury to wonderful effect.
I had a fabulous spacious room on the top floor- I think its class was a “dream bath”. It didn’t have a garden view, but had large windows looking over the rooftops of Lisbon. It had a wonderful sense of place. I would probably go for a garden view next time simply because these spaces are bright and gorgeous having been able to briefly visit one. The rooms are chic and minimal, and very comfortable.
I was in town for a conference, and perhaps didn’t have as much time to enjoy the grounds as I would like. However, I managed a couple of evenings with a cocktail and good book in the garden, and this was sheer pleasure in a busy city like Lisbon. The azulejo lined lounge room and the palacio’s central hall are both simply stunning spaces to move through.
Principe Real is a wonderful location. I far preferred it to Chiado on my previous visit to Lisbon. There are charming parks within five minute walks with fabulous restaurants and bars, but it is also only a ten minute stroll from the Bairro Alto and then very easily on to Baixa and Chiado. I could taxi or walk to restaurants on Avenida Liberdade in ten minutes.
Service is charming and helpful. When called for, it was quite exceptional. I enquired about the ability to shower the afternoon after I checked-out. Much effort was made to facilitate this. In a very full hotel (dealing with Taylor Swift in town) the concern of staff was remarkable and unusual.
Lisbon is such a dynamic and enjoyable city and this hotel is the perfect place to stay when visiting- I can't wait to return.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I had to be in Lisbon for several weeks so I tried this hotel, Torel Palace, and The Four Seasons Ritz and this was our favorite. The staff really go above and beyond and it feels very personal. I still used the what’s app thread for help even after I checked out of the hotel. The food and chill, intimate vibe of the escape right in the city location you want to be for your first time in Lisbon - walkable to all the best dining spots and old city streets. The rooms were exquisite and the healthy focused food options were a real treat. One of my favorite hotels anywhere.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Welcome to palácio, Owner at Palácio Príncipe Real
Responded Sep 29, 2024
Hurray - so great to hear that we earned the award of your favourite hotel in sunny Lisbon and we hope to welcome you back here very soon :)
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Dear Amber,
Thank you for your contact.
Regarding your question, we do have two Signature Suites with a separate living area. Unfortunately we can't guarantee a specific room because we are a small hotel. Nevertheless, if you book with us we will take into consideration your request and do our best to accommodate you in that specific room.
In the meantime if you need further information do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
Carla and the Palácio team
Dear Chelsea,
Thank you very much for your contact and interest in Palácio Príncipe Real.
We are an adult only hotel and accept children above the age of 16.
There are more places to choose from in the Lisbon area.
LOCATION
PortugalCentral PortugalLisbon DistrictLisbonPríncipe Real
NUMBER OF ROOMS
26
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