Palácio do Governador ★★★★★

My husband and I had exhausted the list of European city breaks over the years - London, Rome, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Prague… But one place that we were yet to venture to was the somewhat underrated Lisbon. That was until an email came through for a superb VeryChic deal, offering us a romantic getaway in a former palace which is now home to a luxurious five-star hotel. I’m not one to make spur-of-the-moment decisions but I simply couldn’t say no to this one!

As if being located right next to one of Portugal’s most important monuments wasn’t enough, the hotel itself is steeped in history, once belonging to the Governors of the Tower of Belém as well as Roman ruins dating back to the first century. This is seamlessly incorporated into the hotel’s façade and décor, with original domed ceilings in the restaurant and the ancient thermal traditions of Mediterranean culture in the luxury spa. This genuine historic and architectural value is also revealed in the hotel reception, located in the former chapel, with high vaulted ceilings, original tile panelling and traditional wooden décor. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants to be surrounded by all the culture and beauty of Lisbon, but away from the frenzy of the city centre.

What makes this palace even more special is that each of the sixty bedrooms is unique in character and style. Our Club Room reflected a modern style with historical details, including original panelled ceiling from the 17th century. Our window offered panoramic views over the city, and there were lots of little touches to ensure we had everything we needed and more: Molton Brown toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers, a mini-bar, a coffee machine, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV.

After freshening up, we decided to spend our first afternoon testing out the hotel’s ample facilities, so we wandered down to the spa, which showcases the Roman walls dating back to the 1st century, and evokes the ancestral thermal traditions of Mediterranean culture. We bathed in the indoor and outdoor pools, both open all year round, before relaxing in the sauna and Turkish baths. I treated myself to a massage in the therapy room, while my fitness-mad husband worked up an appetite for dinner in the fully equipped gym.

Cuisine is yet another highlight of the Palàçio do Governador, with the Amphora restaurant serving exquisite cuisine prepared by Chef André Lança Cordeiro. His extensive experience in different Parisian restaurants has allowed him to develop his skills before returning to Portugal to unveil a cuisine of refinement, authenticity and unique flavours. After a delicious meal and an after-dinner drink in the bar, we retired to our supremely comfortable bed.

The rest of our stay was dedicated to uncovering as many treasures as we could throughout the Belém district. Romance embraced us on every street corner, and we spent each day strolling hand-in-hand through backstreets twisting up to hilltop miradouros, secluded courtyards and vintage funiculars, with architectural masterpieces popping up almost everywhere we looked. We’d stop for lunch or a traditional pastel de nata in a warmly-lit café spilling out onto a leafy plaza, before continuing our journey into Lisbon’s fascinating past. We ticked off all the showstopper sights including the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, the Monastery of St Jerome, the Discoveries Monument and a multitude of other hidden gems. Lisbon’s historical richness combined with its cosmopolitan flair and vibrant youth is what sets it apart, and we came away feeling utterly inspired, not to mention motivated to book another few days at the Palàçio do Governador next year!