Hotel Britania, Lisbon, Portugal
Hotel Britania 4 Stars
“Located just off Avenida da Liberdade, Cassiano Branco has brought old-world Portuguese charm to this Art-Deco boutique.”
Hotel Overview
Review of Hotel Britania, by Marc Zakian
The smooth tones and individual deco style of the Hotel Britania in Lisbon are an antidote to the world of homogenised Hiltons. Located in a 1940's designed building, Britania provides an air of ambience.
Port-hole deco windows, classic black and white photo prints, and a library complete with backgammon board make this more like a private club than a boutique hotel. Located around the corner from Lisbon's most expensive shopping street, you can nip out for your Louis Vuitton bag or new Ferrari - which you can park in the hotel underground garage.
The Hotel Britania is a stone's throw from the subway system, some late night shops and bars, and not too far to walk to the city downtown. Service is focused, attentive, discreet and multi-lingual. The tiny 1930s barber's museum adds quirky charm. The difference in the atmospheres from the hotel bar to the lounge makes it so everyone has somewhere to relax, whether it's the buzz of conversation or the quiet of reading a book.
Uncluttered but welcoming, the bedrooms strike a balance between style, comfort and convenience. Warm varnished cork flooring; soothing mono-coloured walls, matching fabrics across the beds and seating and mahogany furniture are set off by deco high-tech lighting fixtures and lamps.
There is space to spread out in all of the 33 rooms, and the marbled period bathrooms have been carefully restored. Though the views onto the street won't have you reaching for your sketch book, complementary chocolate and port help you settle in. The top floor of the hotel sports a mini-suite and 'superior rooms'.
Facilities
Hotel Policies
Rooms
33Come for...
- Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco's design
- Original Art Deco bathrooms
Not Suitable for...
- Those who prefer to dine in: no restaurant
Children
Families are welcome at the hotel. They offer extra beds for children, and interconnecting rooms for larger families. There is also a babysitting service on request.
Eating in
A full buffet breakfast is provided each morning; otherwise there's a limited room service menu - toasted sandwiches, French fries, fruit salad etc.
The Press Say
"Built in the 1940s, the Hotel Britania is a well-preserved art deco gem." Wallpaper*
"Lisbon's only surviving original Art Deco hotel." Conde Nast (UK)
Reviews
Review of Hotel Britania, by Mary Lussiana
Walking in through the large iron entrance door you are immediately transported back in time to a Portugal which had an empire. Indeed the Hotel Britania originally opened under the name The Empire Hotel in 1944, when it was the talk of the town in terms of luxury and mod cons. After a couple of ownership changes it became part of the Heritage group - privately owned hotels which reflect something of the Portuguese heritage.
They restored it where necessary to return it to its previous glory - original cork flooring in the bedrooms, marble bathrooms, wood parquetry on the floor of the Bar with paintings around the ceiling which depict the coats of arms of each of the overseas territories that were a part of the Portuguese Empire. There is a wonderful original wood and silver banister on the staircase. A cosy atmosphere prevails - much like a private house - which spills over into the care of the staff and even the presentation of the delicious breakfast on offer in the sitting area in the morning.
The Hotel Britania's 32 rooms have similar decoration. Bold black and white materials and furniture with an Art Deco feel to it gives an edge to what is simple but comfortable accommodation. Small ante-rooms offer the possibility of extra beds for children. Each bedroom has tea and coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi access. Bathrooms are small but contain everything you could possibly need and are full of period detail. On the 6th floor, the hotel has converted a terrace into three modern rooms with private patio, but they lack the special feel of the original rooms beneath.