Why book?
Because it is the latest, newest, buzzy place to be, in sun-filled, red-roofed Lisbon, one of Europe’s oldest and most charming capitals.
Set the scene
Step in past the ancient bronze doors that previously clanged shut each night on BPI, one of Portugal’s major banks, and you are met by layered and colourful interiors. An ornate marble staircase, preserved from the original 18th century building, twists upwards. Clustered on the stairs are bold, hand-painted, contemporary interpretations of age-old Portuguese pitchers by Studio KRUS. On the wall nearby, a traditional blue and white tiled panel depicts Our Lady of Misericordia; a piece unearthed in the renovations which pre-dates the 1755 earthquake which destroyed so much of Lisbon. On your right, the lounge and lobby open up in a riot of colour and of art, curated by Federica Sala, many pieces of which draw on the Portuguese materials of local Lioz stone, cork, textiles, ceramics and tiles. I particularly loved a textile triptych by Carolina Vaz, its depth of layers a nod to Lisbon itself, its textures as tactile as the city’s façades. But the Andaz Lisbon is more than a repository of interesting art, it sets the stage for different elements of an orchestra; here the players are the history and heritage of the vibrant Portuguese melting pot. Visual influences from Africa, Goa, Brazil, Japan and, of course, Portugal itself, thrum in a harmonious symphony conducted by the designer, Patricia Urquiola, who has excelled in weaving a sensory story through her creation.
The backstory
Located in Baixa, near the city’s waterfront, this site takes up a whole block, and was originally two buildings which were part of the post 1755 earthquake reconstruction by the Marquis of Pombal. They have had a variety of chapters, but until 2018 were the landmark location for Portugal’s BPI bank. Bought by a German group whose majority shareholder is Feuring Hotel Consulting, they looked for a management group who would be able to open a hotel that celebrated the vibrancy of Lisbon. After Hyatt Hotels Corporation brought The Standard into their fold, one of which is opening shortly in Lisbon, it was decided to refine the Andaz brand, visually rebranding it and moving it upscale, whilst remaining intent on the Andaz concept of lifestyle hotels rooted in their surroundings. Lisbon is the first of the Andaz brand to open since this shift.
The rooms
170 rooms are divided between 12 categories. I stayed in one of the four Arch Suites, with an impressive view onto the Rua Augusta Arch which was completed in 1873. As in the public areas, contemporary art decorates the rooms and suites. A textile work by Rosarinho Andrade hung on the wood panelled wall of my sitting room. Geometric yellow, blue and white shapes, her departure point was the patterns, textures and light of Lisbon’s streets. But for me, it sung of Portugal’s Alentejo region, beyond the capital, where on wide plains, blue-trimmed, white-washed houses cluster in medieval hilltop villages, under a golden sun.
The lighting in my bedroom was spot on, with good plugs and understandable switches by the bed. There were several books on Lisbon to dip into and the lovely coffee cups by the Nespresso machine which feature Lisbon’s memorable calçadas (mosaic tiles on the pavements) were from the Portuguese Vista Alegre brand. Bathrooms are clad in dark red and white tiles and glossy red walls. Mine had a large tub with a separate shower, but the majority of rooms are shower only.
The neighbourhood
The Andaz Lisbon has taken the neighbourhood and bottled it, inspired by the history of the magnificent Praça do Comércio which it stands just behind. This used to be the gateway to Lisbon, where ships once arrived to unload gold and treasure but also exotic spices, coffee, chocolate and cinnamon, tonka beans and chillies. From the rooftop terrace, there are views over the triumphal arch built to celebrate the reconstruction of Lisbon after the earthquake, the Rua Augusta Arch, which leads into the Praça do Comércio. From the restaurant, St. George’s Castle, dominates the skyline, enhancing the sense of place. Just opposite the hotel in a side street, is MUDA, Lisbon’s Design Museum which exhibits fashion and design from the 19th century to the present.
This immediate area is the heart of Lisbon’s tourist district, with many museums and historic sites in the surrounding streets.
Food & drink
Just as the art was chosen to reflect, and in many cases reinterpret anew, the cultural heritage of Portugal, so too does the food. The culinary director, Bruno Alves, was born in Rio and both his multi-faceted heritage and his exposure to different kitchens and cultures have made him well suited to create a menu, of what is described as modern Lusitanian cuisine, at rooftop restaurant Luzzi. Drawing on the flavours found during Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery and brought home to be embraced into the national cuisine, dishes incorporate tastes and characteristics from as diverse a selection as Macau, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Goa, Brazil, Japan and Portugal.
I loved his duck rice, a traditional Portuguese dish, spun anew with its nods to Brazil through the inclusion of orange, to Macau with the marination of the duck and his tuna tartare where he re-interpreted the humble fried tuna pie, pastel de milho, from Cape Verde. As they do, he used corn in his tartlette, but instead of canned tuna, he used fresh tuna, caught locally, cream from the Azores, aromatics from Japan and piri-piri from Angola.
The elegant bar in the middle of Luzzi, which has African-inspired ceilings, a blue floor to represent the Ocean, Japanese rope masks and bold murals has a selection of cocktails which entice. I tried Floral Armada, a Portuguese gin with Sakura vermouth, white tea, rose petals and rhubarb, which was just the pick me up I needed. Next door the large terrace, with a retractable roof for Lisbon’s summers, also serves cocktails and will have live music.
Downstairs in the Andaz Lounge in the lobby, the drink to try is the Alfama Social Club; a twist on Mojito which adds home-made pennyroyal soda. And if you want classics, try the gin and tonic on tap. Local wine by the glass comes from selected female winemakers, which made me happy, even before I tried any.
Food is all about the snacks that Lisbonites love to eat from their beloved, domed, street kiosks, which appeared in the late 19th century. There are cod fritters and chicken empanadas, croquettes, and a twist on the popular bifana, serving it as a katsu-sando. As I ran out of the door, Bruno, clearly not happy my lack of sweet tooth meant I had tried none of his desserts, handed me a bag containing a pastel de nata sized, Basque cheesecake, which he makes with cheese from Portugal’s northern Serra da Estrela mountains. Reader, I will be coming back for more.
The service
Absolutely excellent with staff being impressively helpful and efficient despite the hotel only being open 2 weeks. From the smiling waiter who brought hot milk to my room for my coffee to the receptionist who printed something out for me (without making me feel guilty by saying they were a paperless operation) to the sommelier who treated me to his favourite white encruzada wine, Druida.
Wellness
The spa is yet to be opened when I visit in March 2026, but it will be in a separate, neighbouring, building.
For families
Children are welcome and there is plenty of space for them to explore but this is a city hotel rather than a resort.
Eco effort
Considerable effort has been made on this front with the LED certified hotel running an almost zero waste kitchen. Meat is bought on the carcass with every part utilised, fruit skins are dried and used in cocktails, 90% of food is locally sourced. Materials from the original property have been recycled and reused in the décor. The hotel operates digitally, for check-ins and operations, using zero paper.
Accessibility
There is one specially adapted room and most areas are accessible, either with a lift or because it is on the ground floor.