Hotel da Estrela ★★★★

9-10am: History Class

Lisboa, the Portuguese name for the capital, derives from the Phoenician Allis Ubbo, meaning safe harbour. This city, one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe, is a charmingly diverse metropolis, with family bistros running alongside contemporary sushi bars, antique shops and luxury boutiques. Lisbon’s 800 years of diverse cultural influences are celebrated alongside its more avant-garde side, resulting in a city of spectacular contrasts. But, before you pick and choose which of Lisbon’s busy neighbourhoods you should under no circumstances miss, settle first on where you’ll stay. Hotel da Estrela might be a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but with the No. 28 tram stop located nearby, all of Lisbon is accessible from your ideal, quiet location.

10-11am: Geography

Each of the neighbourhoods of this capital has a unique character, but the whole city exudes a lively, atmospheric charm. Bairro Alto is typically trendy, with independent boutiques and after-hours entertainment; Chiado plays host to young people, artists and intellectuals; Carmo boasts its fascinating monuments and the city’s principal attractions. But, the Hotel da Estrela allows you to explore these neighbourhoods with ease: boarding this famous yellow tram is an absolute must.

1-2pm: PSHE

Like the city beyond its doors, this hotel is charming and characterful. The Palácio dos Condes de Paraty, the building now housing the Hotel da Estrela used to be a school, and echoes of its former purpose are tangible in the interior design. In the lobby, after welcoming you particularly pleasantly, the concierge write up the names of guests registered in the hotel with chalk on a slate behind the reception desk. The school theme continues throughout the suites and public areas: a truly original concept.

7-9pm: Home Economics

Not only does the hotel evoke an old-school charm, the staff are sometimes recruited from the hospitality school next door: as part of the hotel’s on-going social responsibility programme, capable students undertake on-the-job training in the Hotel and Cantina da Estrela. The in-house restaurant continues the decorative theme, as you order from a notebook, and your dishes are served on books as trivets. An innovative concept at the Cantina allows the diners to decide the price of their dishes according to their satisfaction: I enjoyed an exceptional meal from Artur Caneiro’s kitchen. The menu is largely Mediterranean comfort food, taken from family recipes and ancient Portuguese cookbooks. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the Pastel de Belém, the iconic Lisbon puff-pastry dessert, before returning to your room to put your feet up.

10.30pm: Art and Design Technology

My suite is spacious and bright; predominantly crisp whites, with decorative accents in zesty lime. The carpet is graffitied with physics and trigonometry, and my wall is adorned with a map of the world. Other than that, the suite is immaculate and luxurious. Two of the suites offer Hästens beds, considered the best in the world, in which I had the most restful night’s sleep I’ve enjoyed in quite some time. The contemporary style extends into my vast tiled bathroom, with walk-in shower. If you need additional relaxation, after a soak in the vast, separate tub, you can enjoy spa treatments in the privacy and comfort of your own room. And, from the windows of my suite, the views of the city and the Tagus River are superb. The building housing the Hotel da Estrela is nothing less than a genuine Lisboeta palace: it even boasts a charming private garden.

This original aesthetic vision has been effectively executed, combining contemporary interior design with eclectic charm and character. And, with just nineteen rooms, the charming customer service and exclusive ambience puts the Hotel da Estrela at the top of the class.