Lapa Palace by Matthew Barker

Grand, converted 19th century palace up in the hills overlooking the city and Tagus River and set in formal gardens. The rooms all come with marbled bathrooms and (most) with verandas. The Tower Room, up on the top floor of the Palace Wing, is the one to get. 109 rooms after renovations from June 2001.

Facilities:Range of health facilities, including a health club, Turkish and Scottish baths, sauna, and steam room. Five golf courses, if you like that sort of thing, nearby. The pool is set in tranquil gardens.

Location:The Lapa Palace is the nearest hotel to Lisbon's International Congress Centre and to cultural monuments such as Jerónimos Monastery on the river bank at Belém. Close to downtown - the Alfama district and the Gulbenikan Museum are close at hand, as is the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Adolfo Dominguez and Ana Salazar flagship stores should help keep the designer-tog cravings at bay. Can’t go to Lisbon without tucking into a big, gooey custard tart either.