The Pestana Palace Hotel is truly a step back in time. Originally built in the late 19th century as the private residence of the Marquis of Valle Flôr, this stunning estate is classified as a National Monument. Its architecture is a beautiful mix of French-inspired Romanticism and Rococo styles, reflecting the opulence of the era when the Marquis returned to Portugal after making his fortune in cocoa and coffee.
One of its most fascinating historical facts is that it was the first private home in Portugal to feature a lift. Today, the hotel preserves its past with incredible detail, showcasing frescoes, stained-glass windows, and ornate staterooms. The main ballroom has been transformed into the highly acclaimed Valle Flor restaurant, where you can dine amidst lavish gold columns and Regency-style decor that feels like a mini-Versailles.
The hotel’s grounds are just as impressive as the interior. Spanning lush tropical gardens filled with over a thousand exotic plant species, the outdoor pool was actually once the palace’s private lake. These gardens provide a tranquil, park-like oasis that makes you forget you are in the heart of a bustling capital city.
Location-wise, the hotel is perfectly situated for sightseeing. It sits in the historic district of Belém, meaning you are within easy reach of iconic landmarks like the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower and the stunning Jerónimos Monastery. It’s also close to the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery, the original home of Portugal’s beloved custard tarts.
Expert reviews
“Located mid-way between downtown and the historic Belém district, this is the height of five-star luxury, a Belle Époque palace built by a marquess who made his fortune importing chocolate from cocoa plantations on the equatorial island of São Tomé.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Lisbon.
‘It’s a little off the tourist trail, but this grand hotel overlooking the River Tagus is well worth seeking out. It offers four suites in the original palace, as well as more accessible accommodations in more modern wings.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Lisbon.
“The Portuguese-owned Pestana Group has a knack for melding tourism and history, and Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument is clearly the pinnacle of that passion.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Excellent breakfast
- Excellent Wifi
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
14 April 2026
Perfect example of old luxury with a modern twist
The building overall and my room were excellent. Perfect example of old luxury.
12 April 2026
If the weather is good this hotel is good choice ,because garden and pool is perfect ,rooms are really old .
,garden is like dream ,pool is perfect ,breakfast is very good ,staff in restaurant especially very friendly ,
Rooms are old, note :you are not staying in place you will stay at the building which is next to place .
9 April 2026
A very pleasant place to stay!
All good. Breakfast was great. Pool and sauna were quiet. Bed was comfortable.
It's a little way from the centre, although travel by tram or taxi are easy enough and not expensive.
7 April 2026
Great for a weekend escape!
breakfast is great, the rooms comfortable and the palace itself is amazing. The pool can get a bit busy when the sun is out.
Feels that at times the staff was struggling to provide the expected level of service - had to wait a long time to receive our luggage in the room. And restaurant bills get a 'standard' 10% tip added - very unusual for Portugal.
5 April 2026
Excellent! we will definitely return!
The breakfast was amazing, a very large selection of everything, and a long time allocated for serving which was great.
4 April 2026
I would stay here again.
It was beautiful and very quiet. The gardens were fabulous. The staff was
Friendly. And it was
Clean. The breakfast was amazing. Yummy.
The bar service was extremely slow and it’s not the staffs issue. The property doesnt have enough staff
For
The bar at night. Our waiter was fabulous but exhausted and run down and tired of people getting mad at him. I think you should put more staff in bar at night. Plenty in the morning - you feel you are being watched.
3 April 2026
stunning place ... restaurant deserves a Michelin star
Exeeds all expectation. it is real Palace , ...
all is perfect
28 March 2026
Exceptional staff and beautiful stay.
The staff were extremely friendly and couldnt do enough for you. The hotel was stunning. The rooms were beautiful.
The breakfast was cold.
27 March 2026
Perfection if you want to be a bit off the beaten path, and very romantic setting.
Absolutely everything. This property is stunning, the staff are helpful and friendly, the rooms are gorgeous, and the dining is excellent. The breakfast buffet is so fabulous I wish I had more room for all of their delightful offerings! It will be our #1 choice every time we come to Lisbon, even if it is a bit off the beaten path.
The service for food in their bar area can be slow. It’s Europe. But that’s hardly a huge negative.
22 March 2026
Beautiful Hotel, staff excellent
Ornate
Just a little too far out of Lisbon
17 March 2026
Overall it was a lovely stay. The estate is really beautiful.
Overall it was a lovely stay. The estate is really beautiful.
The service at breakfast is very slow and only a few waitresses work to be honest and you get your tea when you finish your breakfast. In such a nice and niche place I would expect a better service.
15 March 2026
Great service in a very elegant hotel
Very elegant hotel with many amenities. Service at reception and in restaurant was impeccable
Expect a very traditional room layout, die to the historic building. I enjoyed it but be aware this is not a glitzy modern hotel.
13 March 2026
A hotel that understands hospitality
Very well run. Excellent staff attitudes throughout.Comfortable relaxed luxury without glitz or ostentation.
Outstanding breakfast. Excellent indoor/outdoor pools welcome at the end of the day.
Location between Lisbon centre and Belem requires transport to either - however tram is nearby and Ubers are cheap and plentiful (5e ride to either)
10 March 2026
An amazing hotel with exceptional staff. Looking forward to returning
Beautiful grounds , the staff were all amazing and very helpful.
The spa was lovely and relaxing
Absolutely nothing it was all amazing
9 March 2026
Lovely hotel with a lot of history and culture
Location, friendly and helpful staff
Beautiful gardens and rooms
N/A
1 March 2026
Recommend it when you stay in Lisboa
Staying in a palace is magic.
Yummy breakfast.
Enjoyed the stay a lot
It is now harder to find a better hotel in Europe than this
31 January 2026
One of the best places to stay
The place is brilliant!
Nothing
20 January 2026
Stay in a palace!
Gorgeous place. Very friendly staff. Great breakfast. And everything at a sensible price. Exterior swimming pool must be great during the Summer.
The SPA needs some improvements. Also, if you stay on the other side, you would have to walk through the garden to get to the SPA. Not great during Winter...
16 January 2026
One of the best hotel
Great in every thing
Nothing
13 January 2026
First trip to Lisbon
romm was extra ordinary. the view from balcony was breath taking. bed is so comfortable and the stuff was very friendly and want to help. breakfast was very delicious and tasty.
they need to keep more water bottles as 2 is not enough. else every thing was perfect.
11 January 2026
When in Lisbon, staying in this place should be in the top of your list.
The Pestana Palace Lisboa is amazing. The staff is kind, friendly and always ready to go the extra mile. Every part of our visit felt incredible.
11 January 2026
A gem of luxury and comfort.
The food and service were excellent, the staff were very friendly and helpful, the overall service, cleanliness and comfort were excellent.
There wasnt anything i didnt like at the hotel.
9 January 2026
Amazing stay. You truly feel special here!
Amazing stay. You truly feel special here. The mix between a historic palace and a modern hotel is extremely well done - you are literally sleeping in the middle of history while enjoying all the comfort of a high-end luxury hotel.
The old palace with its beautiful details, the gardens, and the overall atmosphere are something truly unique, yet everything feels relaxed and never stiff or formal. A big plus: very child- and family-friendly without being noisy or chaotic. Attentive service, quiet rooms, and an overall feeling of comfort from the moment you arrive.
Definitely one of those hotels you will remember for a long time. Occasionally you can see or hear an airplane, which our child actually enjoyed even more.
5 January 2026
Surrounded by beauty in Lisbon
While the rooms could benefit from some upgrade, it was a delight to be in such a marvellous palace. The breakfast is a unique experience in these magnificent dining halls, with beautiful stuccos, painted high ceilings and stunning bow-windows to the idyllic gardens. The staff was kind and helpful, and made us experience a memorable though improvised new year's eve.
The equipment in the room needs some improvement. The very basic hairdryers on the wall have no place in a five stars hotel and the shower in the bath tub was very basic too. We sorely missed a kettle.
3 January 2026
Gorgeous historical palace to feel yourself like a prince
Gorgeous landscape and palace
Good stuff
Great breakfasts
A little bit hard to orient within different areas
There were nobody from the stuff in the pull when we came there
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Chapel/shrine
- - Car hire
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Currency exchange
- - Concierge service
Activities
- - Sauna
- - Fitness centre
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Children's playground
- - Hammam
- - Indoor pool
- - Indoor pool (all year)
- - Spa facilities
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Outdoor pool
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
- - Electric vehicle charging station
- - Accessible parking
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Emergency cord in bathroom
Pool and wellness
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property

More photos

3 May 2026
Old money Luxury