Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

Located at the edge of Eduardo VII Park away from the bustling city center, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is all about the quiet elegance of Old World luxury.

• The massive breakfast buffet of international favorites, from local pastries to dim sum
• The collection of paintings and sculptures from Portuguese artists
• The stunning rooftop running track with incredible views of Lisbon

Like any Four Seasons property, the brand’s Lisbon outpost is generous with amenities. From the heated indoor pool overlooking a garden to the in-room balconies with views of the city to the fabulous spa, few hotels in the country can compare. The jewel in the crown is the recently added outdoor swimming pool, with pool snack bar alongside, allowing you to remain all day in their property should you wish.

Of its 282 luxuriously appointed private chambers, all but 10 have private terraces that overlook downtown Lisbon. And because the building is situated atop one of the city’s seven hills, there are views aplenty, some that stretch all the way out to the Tagus River. Recently renovated by Portuguese designers Oitoemponto, the hotel’s heritage has been put center stage. Décor is in a classic style, with subtle color palettes of taupe, blue and white complemented with floral wallpaper and dramatic tapestry.

The culinary program here is quite rich, starting with a vast breakfast buffet that shouldn’t be missed. It’s the ideal opportunity to get acquainted with Portuguese pastries like the iconic Pastel de Nata, a kind of custard tart. At lunchtime, the lobby lounge is the site of sushi service from acclaimed master António Muniz. For dinner at the property's Michelin-starred Cura restaurant, menus from chef Pedro Pena Bastos showcase the power of a few, curated ingredients in myriad combinations. And at the indoor-outdoor Varanda, expect local favorites with a twist.

One of the hotel’s shining distinctions is its art collection, which features Portuguese paintings and sculptures 500 pieces strong. Most of the works are on display throughout the property, but to help guests make better sense of exactly what they’re looking at, the property has an app that not only tells you what the item is (who made it and some additional background), but also includes opinions from national curators.

If there’s one thing that might count against the hotel, it’s the location. Very few points of interest are within walking distance, but for those who are ready to venture out, there’s a 24-hour multilingual concierge service to help out.

Luxury-minded travelers who crave round-the-clock service and countless on-site amenities, and are happy to walk a little bit further to the main sites. Built to house the exiled King of Italy in the 1960, who lived for many years in Cascais, this palace was converted into a luxurious hotel in 2004 and extended to add a new wing.