Hotel Mercy

Overview

New in 2012, the Mercy Hotel is "a stylish place to bunk", says Fodor's, and has an ideal location between the Chiado and Bairro Alto districts, good for both shopping and dining. Sights such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum are easy to reach via the metro, and the Santa Justa Lift, a cast-iron gothic-style lift that links Baixa and Carmo Square, is 10 minutes away on foot.

It's a bit of a climb back up to the hotel (Lisbon is built on seven hills), so you may prefer to hail a taxi or take the 28E tram. After a day exploring the cobbled streets, retire to the hotel’s rooftop terrace, overlooking the city and the Tagus River, to soak up the views with a cocktail or aperitif.

Popular with locals as well as guests, Umai Restaurant serves pan-Asian food with a Portuguese slant. Portions are small (think Asian tapas), but the menu is a good value for the money -- with sushi and sashimi, as well as specialities from India, Vietnam and Thailand. Breakfast here is similarly eclectic. It is a help-yourself buffet, but without the lines -- a server brings a small selection to your table.

Rooms feel very modern gothic, with glossy black furniture, black walls and floor-to-ceiling black curtains, paired with crisp white linens. Bathrooms are just as moody and have modern walk-in showers. In stark contrast, the two top-floor suites are white, bright and airy and have separate sitting rooms and large terraces with excellent views over the Tagus River and the city. Nespresso machines for coffee are provided (there's an extra charge for the capsules), and the rooms are very quiet, thanks to solid windows and thick curtains. Wi-Fi is free.

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