Lisbon has always had a special place in our hearts. We first visited the Portuguese capital around six or seven years ago and completely fell in love with its colourful buildings, beautiful architecture, charming streets and wonderful atmosphere. We had been looking forward to returning ever since!
Bye, bye rainy London! Off to find some sunshine…
This time, we stayed at Hyatt Regency Lisbon, a beautiful five-star hotel located close to the River Tagus. With its spacious suites, excellent spa and lovely rooftop bar, it turned out to be a fantastic base for our city break
Our Suite at Hyatt Regency Lisbon
We stayed in one of the hotel’s spacious suites, with a fantastic view of the River Tagus and the famous 25 de Abril Bridge
The suite was modern, comfortable and had a separate living area, along with a kitchenette where you can prepare your own meals. You could easily visit one of Lisbon’s local markets, pick up some fresh ingredients and cook something back at the hotel (It is a particularly convenient option for longer stays or families travelling with children, if you ask me!)
Serenity Spa – A Little Luxury for Two
One of our favourite experiences was visiting Serenity – The Art of Well Being, the hotel’s beautiful luxury spa
We enjoyed a relaxing couples’ CBD massage, followed by some private time in the Aurum Suite, which we had entirely to ourselves. With our own jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, it was the perfect way to unwind after exploring Lisbon
I would definitely recommend booking a treatment if you are staying at Hyatt Regency Lisbon
Viseversa Restaurant
Breakfast at Viseversa Restaurant was another highlight. The buffet offered an impressive selection of delicious food, with plenty of choice whether you prefer something light or a more substantial breakfast
Everything was beautifully presented, and we really enjoyed starting our mornings here
Frenchie and I also had a lovely dinner here one evening. The restaurant has a stylish, but relaxed atmosphere and a partnership with Veuve Clicquot with the Champagne house’s iconic yellow cushions and branding adding a lovely touch to the setting
There is also a lovely little café inside the hotel, perfect for grabbing a coffee before heading out
ICON Rooftop Bar – Sunset Cocktails in Lisbon
One afternoon, we enjoyed cocktails at ICON Rooftop Bar & Lounge, located at Hyatt Regency Lisbon
The rooftop is one of the hotel’s highlights, offering fantastic views of the River Tagus and 25 de Abril Bridge, particularly around sunset
Bonus-info: The rooftop bar is also open to visitors who are not staying at the hotel, and you can enjoy delicious snacks and light bites alongside your cocktails
Shopping in Chiado – Portuguese Ceramics, Jewellery and More
One of my favourite areas in Lisbon is Chiado, with its beautiful architecture, charming cafés and wonderful mix of boutiques and traditional Portuguese shops
You can not visit Lisbon without spotting its famous yellow trams, They are such an iconic part of the city, winding through the narrow streets and steep hills. Tram 28 is particularly popular and a lovely way to experience historic Lisbon
I particularly wanted to visit Bordallo Pinheiro, the famous Portuguese ceramics brand known for its colourful, nature-inspired designs. Naturally, I could not resist bringing a few beautiful pieces home!
Another lovely experience was visiting Portugal Jewels, where I found a beautiful necklace featuring initials. The gentleman helping me was incredibly friendly and even offered me a glass of port wine while I was shopping!
We also stopped by A Vida Portuguesa, a wonderful shop celebrating traditional Portuguese brands. It is filled with beautifully packaged soaps, perfumes, ceramics and homeware, making it a fantastic place to find something special to bring home
Christmas Shopping at El Corte Inglés
El Corte Inglés is Lisbon’s large department store, where I discovered an entire floor dedicated to Christmas decorations…
The selection was incredible, and many items were around half price during our visit. Needless to say, I went a little crazy with the Christmas shopping!
LX FACTORY – A Creative Side of Lisbon
Just a short distance from Hyatt Regency Lisbon, LX Factory is a trendy former industrial complex filled with independent boutiques, cafés, restaurants and street art
We enjoyed wandering around the quirky shops and soaking up the relaxed, creative atmosphere…
One of the highlights is the famous Ler Devagar bookshop, known for its impressive interior…
I really wanted to buy a few beautiful books to take home, but with ceramics and Christmas decor taking a lot of space in my suitcase it was a no go!
Exploring Belém – Historic Landmarks and Trendy Cafés
As Hyatt Regency Lisbon is located in Belém, we spent some time discovering this historic part of the city
We visited the famous Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 16th century, and the impressive Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a 52-metre-high monument shaped like a ship’s sail, celebrating Portugal’s maritime history
We also wanted to visit the beautiful Jerónimos Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, but unfortunately, we had not booked tickets in advance and could not get in. Note to self: Remember to book ahead!
For breakfast, we stopped at THE FOLKS, a very trendy Lisbon café known for its speciality coffee and brunch. It was a lovely place to start the morning before heading out to see the sights
Time Out Market Lisbon – Delicious Food and Seafood
Another favourite was Time Out Market Lisbon, located in the historic Mercado da Ribeira
The market is a food lover’s paradise, bringing together a fantastic selection of Portuguese and international dishes
We enjoyed some absolutely delicious croquetas, but what really impressed me was the incredible seafood selection. There is so much to choose from, including fresh fish, shellfish and traditional Portuguese specialities
With its lively atmosphere and communal seating, it is a great place to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner and a place I would definitely re-visit
Getting Around Lisbon from Hyatt Regency
One of the things we loved about Lisbon was how easy it was to get around. Many attractions, shops and cafés are within walking distance of each other, particularly when exploring neighbourhoods such as Chiado and Belém
For longer distances, we used Uber, which was incredibly convenient and surprisingly affordable compared with London
Although Hyatt Regency Lisbon is situated in the quieter Belém area, getting to the city centre, shopping districts and restaurants was quick and easy. It really is a great base for discovering Lisbon
Would I Recommend Hyatt Regency Lisbon?
Absolutely! We had a wonderful stay, and the combination of our spacious suite, relaxing spa experience, delicious breakfast and sunset cocktails at ICON Rooftop Bar made it particularly enjoyable
Lisbon remains one of our favourite European cities, with its beautiful architecture, fantastic food, lovely shopping and relaxed atmosphere
We loved being back, and I am sure we will return again!
Hotel: Hyatt Regency Lisbon
Location: Belém, Lisbon, Portugal
Website: https://www.hyatt.com
