Cool, calm and collected, this trendy haven offers welcome respite from the bustling streets of the Baixa district. Stepping in through the big glass doors, we immediately felt at ease: mellow soundtrack, check; bright velvet sofas, check; cool art, check; coffee-table design books, check. It isn’t a case of style over substance, either. The Fred Perry-clad staff are helpful and kind. Feel free to drop your key at reception when you go out, and take the opportunity to pick their brains for restaurant or gallery recommendations.
Upstairs, dark and moody corridors lead to 84 cosseting rooms, with designer chairs, statement wallpapers, Roberts radios and eclectic knick-knacks. There’s also some swish tech: you can plug into your very own Marshall amp to stream playlists, browse the Smeg minibar, and there are USB charging points. Outside, you’re bang in the middle of the action - all the main sights are within walking distance or an easy hop on a tram or metro. A brilliant base for an easy city break.
Highs
- Great style throughout: eclectic contemporary art and sculpture, along with velvet armchairs adding pops of primary colour
- Good value for Lisbon, and all rooms have Nespressos and Smart TVs
- Delicious brasserie fare for lunches - burgers, omelettes and steaks - and a cool cocktail bar
- Some rooms can be made up with twin beds, making it ideal for couples and friends alike
- A central location, close to metro and tram stops, and just 30 mins from the airport
Lows
- Some noise, both internally and outside; bring earplugs
- With 84 rooms, this is bigger than most i-escape properties, but friendly staff give great service and make it seem more intimate
- Some people bemoan the dark-hued corridors, but they’re well-lit and help emphasise the brightness of the rooms
- A few of the Small Rooms look onto a wall, but this is reflected in the price
Best time to go
Our top tips
Its sister hotel is just a couple of blocks away, so make sure you know which one you're staying at. It's very easy to mix them up!
- Boutique Hotel
- 84 rooms
- Breakfast + lunch available
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 84 rooms are light, bright and individually designed by the well-travelled owner, with quirky additions like Roberts radios, dial-up phones, retro lamps and Smeg minibars. We liked all the details of our stylish Superior Room, like the deep blue walls that made it feel calm and cosy, and the bold red lamp that added a pop of colour. We also enjoyed watching the world go by from our street-side window, though this did mean we got a bit of noise at night.
On a return visit we’d book a sophisticated Mansard Room, which has sloped ceilings and great views - or, for a special occasion, the showstopper Master Suite with its wooden panelled walls and amazing book collection. If we just wanted a good-value city base, the Small Rooms would be ideal; some of them look onto a wall, but this is no problem if you plan to be out day to night.
Regardless of size, all rooms have spotless marble bathrooms (with showers, no baths), Nespresso machines and handy tech like Smart TVs, amps for playing music and USB charging points. The larger rooms also have kitchenettes.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is served buffet-style in the brasserie. We liked the selection of juices (though they were carton, not freshly-squeezed), and the option to feast on custard tarts at breakfast (hello, holiday!). The usual suspects were all present - fresh fruits, yoghurts, tasty pastries, muesli and a selection of hot options like baked beans, ham, sausages, cooked veggies, and pancakes. Coffee from the machine was underwhelming but it did the job, however there are countless cafes nearby if you need a barista-made brew. It's nothing revolutionary but it is convenient, filling, and served until a lie-in-friendly 11.30am. As it's not included in the rate, you could also head out for something more exciting.
It's worth sticking around (or returning) for lunch. A brasserie menu is served from 12-3pm – the burgers are ginormous and filled with lovely fresh ingredients, the omelettes as big as our heads and the steaks seriously delicious. We only wished it served dinner, too, so we could've gone back for more! Reception staff are happy to advise on local cafes and restaurants, of which there are many.
The art-deco cocktail bar is a cool spot to sip cocktails, chill, chat and flip through design books before heading out for the evening. We were very impressed by the (complimentary) seasonal drink that met us on arrival. Served virgin or boozy, ours was a passion fruit, apple and lemon concoction, with a hint of cinnamon. Delicious!
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Take a trip on the famous yellow trams, which rattle up and down the winding streets; #28 is a popular tourist route that takes you past lots of the sights (eg Alfama, Se Cathedral and Estrela Basilica). Just beware of pickpockets
- Learn about the history of the city and gaze out over the rooftops from the Castelo São Jorge
- Take a tram to Belém to visit the waterside Torre de Belém and the impressive San Jeronimo monastery. And don't forget to try the famous custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém
- Just around the corner from the hotel is the Elevador do Carmo - an ingenious way to avoid climbing the hill!
- The hotel can organise city tours - speak to reception for details
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
Kids
There are no specific facilities for children and we think the hotel is best suited to couples and groups of friends. However, our toddler was made super-welcome by the staff, who greeted him every time we passed, and made him feel like a VIP. There are cots to borrow but no extra beds.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Mansard Rooms, Superior Double Rooms and Junior Suites can fit 1 baby cot. Junior and Master Suites can fit an extra bed.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Brown's Central Hotel is in the heart of vibrant Chiado, between Bairro Alto and Baixa Pombalina. It’s a 2-minute walk from Baixa-Chiado metro and within easy walking of bus and tram stops, as well as most major sights.
By Air:
Fly into Lisbon Portela Airport (10km) and take a taxi or metro to Baixa-Chiado (about 30 mins).
By Car:
Lisbon is easily navigated on foot and by public transport, but if you want to hire a car, the hotel can arrange valet parking.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Lisbon Portela 10.0 km LIS
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 7 independent reviews from i-escape guests