LX Boutique Hotel ★★★★

Lisbon is a quirky haven featuring a mishmash of styles and boasts several very different, unique neighbourhoods, so it seemed fitting for me to stay at the LX Boutique Hotel, a classically modern hotel in the trendy Sobre de Cais area. Perched at the bottom of a hill leading up to the famous bars of Bairro Alto, the LX Boutique is an eye-catching flurry of blue that even the most unobservant could not miss. It overlooks a row of popular bars, cafes, and clubs that stylish locals flock to, and the layered effect made by the bridge mimics the many different facets of Lisbon itself – very fitting indeed.

Inside the LX Boutique, the charming and somewhat vintage Portuguese theme continues, with the reception reflecting the blue and white Moorish azulejo designs that are so prominent throughout the city. Elsewhere, guests can get cosy in a collection of comfortable, colourful armchairs that dot the bar and lounge areas, and relax amongst the sleek, modern décor that features bursts of turquoise and pink. Set inside a carefully renovated, century-old building, the classic design combines both a vintage vibe that retains the past of the hotel, and a modern twist of colour and contemporary furnishings and fittings. The rooms are no different – white bases are jazzed up with feature walls of blues and quirky motifs, and there are accents of Lisbon’s culture in the form of fun Fado murals. The result is cosy and familiar but stylish and elegant at the same time. As I explored the enchanting city, I realised that this perfectly describes Lisbon, too. The LX Boutique seems to have captured the character of Portugal’s capital and lovingly wrapped it up in a cloak of blues, whites, and splashes of colour.

I loved the décor of the hotel and I could have spent all my time inside, enjoying the design, chatting to the friendly, helpful staff, and enjoying the delicious food and drinks in the bar and restaurant areas. But, thanks to the superb location right in the heart of Lisbon, I was eager to get out and explore the cultural charms that surrounded me, whilst enjoying spectacular views across the grand Tagus River. Without ever having to step foot on public transport (although I highly recommend taking a ride on one of the rustic trams which happen to trundle up past the LX Boutique), I dipped in and out of unusual bars and cafes in Bairro Alto, enjoying live Fado performances and sipping on white sangria, I drank coffee in the squares of stylish Chiado with views across to the Belem Bridge, and I disappeared into the never-ending alleyways of Alfama, on the hunt for azulejos and small, quaint restaurants.

Every day in Lisbon provides the possibility for a new story to unfold, with a revolving selection of backdrops, from expansive squares characterised by black and white patterned floor-tiles, to richly coloured facades riddled with small, rustic balconies, to boutique-lined boulevards and lush, green leafy parks. There’s a vast selection of galleries, museums, historic sites, and castles, as well as a huge amount of luxury shops, delectable restaurants tucked away around twists and turns, and the thriving nightlife is second to none. It sounds clichéd, but there truly is something for everyone in Lisbon.

During my time discovering the gems of Lisbon from the heart of the city in the LX Boutique Hotel, I found myself at the centre of numerous narratives that changed on a daily basis. And, returning to the hotel every night, the story continued amongst the classic, colourful décor – I didn’t want to lose the magic of Lisbon every night, the magic I had explored and delved into during the day (because, actually, I think the city is definitely imbued with a certain kind of mystery), and I managed to keep hold of the enchanting character of Lisbon through the portal of the LX Boutique Hotel – it really was a fitting choice.