Memmo Alfama

Previously a shoe polish factory, this white-washed building now houses the trendiest boutique option in Lisbon, with a terrace scene that is as popular with locals as it is with travelers.

• The gorgeous views of the Tagus River
• The outdoor pool and its outrageous red tiles
• The discreet location in historic Alfama

If there’s a hotel that best represents just how cool Lisbon is becoming, it’s Memmo Alfama, which opened in 2013. The 42-room boutique hotel commissioned Portuguese street artist Alexandre Farto (better known as Vhils) to create a full-wall mural for one side of the building. This in-your-face aesthetic stays outside, however, as a cozier vibe dominates Memmo Alfama’s interiors.

Public and private spaces are outfitted in a warm, natural style to make it feel more like home. Rooms—most of which run on the small side—are decorated with light hardwood floors, stark-white linens and patterned ottomans. Bathrooms have concrete floors, rain showers and infinity sinks topped with fragrant Saboaria Portugueza toiletries. The most private rooms are the Alfama rooms; the terrace rooms open onto a shared space, which can get loud on the weekends.

Public spaces include a library, gym and a happening terrace with a mixed-tile pool that glows scarlet. Open each night, this outdoor retreat called Wine Bar is perfect for a relaxing evening spent soaking in Lisbon’s sights as you nosh on small plates and sip Portuguese vino.

The location in the historic Alfama neighborhood is a great draw. The property is one of the few luxury hotels in the area, and guests feel in the middle of it all. The hotel offers complimentary walking tours every day at 10.00am for guests of the hotel which take you through the charming Moorish streets of Alfama. Its old-world charm is thoroughly transporting: keep your eyes peeled as you walk through its sloping cobblestoned streets. Throughout the neighborhood, you'll come across small, family-owned eateries that serve homemade treats, moody Fado music bars and matriarchs that chat across their windows as they prepare lunch. Nowhere in Lisbon gives you a better glimpse of the city’s past.

Travelers with an eye for design will love Memmo Alfama’s boutique dwellings. Amenities aren’t as robust as those in more traditional hotels, but the property’s location is a draw for urban explorers looking for good value. Due to the limited space and no interconnecting room options, it is not suitable for families with young children.