Two Days in Lisbon - Where to stay & Eat
Name: Corinthia Lisbon
Location: Lisbon
Convenience: Somewhat convenient but not as ideal as it wasn’t close to any parks or playgrounds
Address: Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro 105, 1099-031 Lisboa, Portugal
Accommodates: We stayed at the Maritime Suite which perfectly accommodated two adults and two small children. One bedroom for parents and another bedroom set up for the kids (note, no cot was allowed which was rather annoying but it was due to their safety reasons, and so a rail guard was put around the bed instead).
Type: Suite
Minimum stay: None but we recommend 2-3 days
Best for: Business travellers, families going for a short trip
Kids activities: None
Our rating: 7/10 with the lack of parks or playgrounds in the area and no cot set-up but otherwise the Suite was superb and it was perfectly fine for 2 days.
You want to relax but you’ve got your kids in tow. You want that luxury aspect that will look after your comfort and needs during your stay but you also want that familiarity. If you had a choice, you’d want that hotel to pride itself on the reputation of its Spa and its treatments. We probably have a mid-way answer for you, if the answer you’re looking for lies somewhere in Lisbon and so, then welcome to The Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon.
The Room
This polished establishment is everything you’d expect from a five-star hotel but for us it was the room and the spa treatment that really stood out especially when travelling with children. First and foremost, we found the hotel to be wonderfully accommodating towards families which came in the small things such as the in-room setup. We stayed in their Maritime Suite, absolutely ideal for families as the suite has a connecting room which can accommodate children. To accommodate our children, the bed was set up with bed rails to protect our little ones from falling off during a deep slumber. The cutest baby bouncer set neatly in the corner was enough to tell you that the hotel really pays attention to guests requirements and will do what they can to provide the best for its guests during their stay. Due to safety reasons of the room we weren’t permitted a cot but it worked out well for us as there was substantial space for our children to sleep safely in.
The Maritime Suite is worth considering if you want space for everything whilst still wanting the luxury standard. Space to enjoy panoramic views of the monumental Águas Livres Aqueduct, which is sure to have your children captivated, especially the view of the trains going by every so often. Space to dine and enjoy in-room dining in its separate living room area which has its own separate study, should you need to get some work done. Besides the spacious living room, the bedroom was exceptional in terms of what one would expect in a suite of this kind - a generously sized walk-in closet that opens via sliding doors, a stunning marble-cladded bathroom with a separate bathtub overlooking the city as well as a separate rain shower with toiletries courtesy of ESPA. We would recommend the suite for the bathroom itself - the way you can enjoy the views of Lisbon at such height whilst soaking restfully in the tub is wanderlust in itself.
In terms of in-room amenities you have a fully stocked minibar as one would expect plus a stocked wine bar as well as a coffee machine and complimentary waters. Wardrobes were kitted out with plush robes and slippers for both adults and toddlers, and for babies, a bath seat was provided. Of course you’ve got your smart TV offering international channels as well as USB sockets for US, European and UK plugs. For those travelling with their own car, the hotel has its own parking area and valet service. For guests staying in executive rooms and suites, they have access to the Sky Lounge where private check-in and check-out is handled as well as fully-equipped work stations.
The Food
Breakfast is included with your room stay which is served at one of the hotel’s restaurants, Sete Colinas. Running between 7-10:30am on weekdays and until 11 am on weekends, expect a full buffet spread with your usual Danish pastries, breads, cold cuts, spreads, cereals and yoghurts plus live cooking stations offering scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and hash browns. If there’s a certain way you like having your eggs, you can easily request it at your table. We found the breakfast buffet substantial, making the experience more pleasant with a live pianist playing in the background. For dinner we went for Erva, another of the hotel’s restaurants serving an eclectic selection of locally sourced cuisine. The menu highlighted various cuts of beef which made it the deciding factor for our dinner order. We went with the T-bone steak, where the waiter went back to the kitchen to fetch the cut that they were going to prepare for us as they serve it by kilogram. In no time at all our cut was presented to us, showing us the marbling and the size before we proceeded to tell them we wanted it cooked to medium rare. For our toddler we ordered spaghetti Bolognese and mashed sweet potato puree for our 11-month old which went down well. The T-bone arrived accompanied by salad and fries and although a bit fatty to our liking, the meat was cooked well and sufficient for two people. Portions are enough to make one feel satiated at Erva and their dessert selection is just as well. The fact that the restaurant operates throughout the day means you can head down for a bite or a drink, at any time of the day. We also experienced the hotel’s in-room dining service for breakfast, selecting our options (available for vegans too) before hanging the menu in front of our door. Breakfast came at 8am on the dot, the time we specified on the menu, and nothing was left out. This is a comforting option on those days where you just can’t be bothered to head down for breakfast. We’re pleased to say we ate our breakfast happily in the living room, giving us plenty of time to pack up before making our way to the airport.
The Spa
The Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon wouldn’t be complete without its dedicated spa. It is an experience that we highly recommend even if you aren’t staying as one of their guests. The attention to detail throughout the treatment as well as the deep focus on areas where you feel aches and pains is lifted momentarily making one leave feeling ten times lighter. We’ve undergone different spa treatments at various establishments and The Corinthia Lisbon is a place that really injects the spirit of wellbeing and what it means to completely switch off. A place of healing even if only for an hour or two - take it from us, this is an experience worth undergoing. We went for their Back, Face and Scalp treatment which was bliss. Lasting for approximately 110 minutes with the option of 80 minutes, this treatment used ESPA products and commenced with a light back scrub before a really focused back massage leaving us healed for the days ahead. What is so unique about this treatment is that it includes a personalised facial which is quite unusual for a massage package. Yet it worked in symphony that we found ourselves dozing off, completely surrendered to the moment. This treatment ended with a heavenly scalp massage using a scalp treatment of essential oils to leave hair follicles infused with nutrients. Leaving the room was a challenge but the therapist allowed plenty of time for us to get back into our robes, ready for reality.
Conclusion
Our stay at The Corinthia Lisbon ended with us feeling lifted and grateful. Service was impeccable, the standard and quality of the hotel was superb. If luxurious comfort is your thing with impeccable views to match, we encourage you to give Corinthia Lisbon a try. The Maritime Suite was a delight and the convenience of having a connecting room is just perfect for families. Tip, the family rooms can accommodate up to five people and children under 12 years of age stay free. If you are travelling with a baby, it might be an idea to bring your own travel cot as The Maritime Suite and its connecting room does not allow for it due to safety reasons. With a total of 13 rooms and suites to choose from, there are options for any type of traveller seeking a familiar five-star establishment in the heart of Lisbon.
