Pestana Rua Augusta Lisboa
Of the many districts of Lisbon, old Alfama is popular with visitors for its jumbled, medieval maze of narrow streets and its pleasantly-disordered architecture, whilst Bairro Alto, the ‘high neighbourhood’, is celebrated for its picturesque miradouros, its late-night bars, and its fabulous backstreet restaurants. The Baixa district is the crossroads between the two – often referred to simply as ‘downtown’, the Baixa’s grand multi-story tenements date back to the 18th century, during a period of frantic reconstruction following the devastating earthquake of 1755.
The Pestana Rua Augusta Lisboa is one such building – now sympathetically converted into a city hotel, its guest rooms are comfortable, restful and (perhaps most important of all) quiet. The hotel puts you front and centre, surrounded by the exciting sights and sounds of one of Europe’s busiest modern capitals, but its modern soundproofing ensures you’ll enjoy a undisturbed and peaceful night’s sleep. Rooms are divided over five floors, with the in-house Restaurante Olive and its accompanying bar down on the ground floor. Both have a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere, and the shaded terrace on Rua Augusta is the perfect spot to escape the afternoon heat with a chilled glass of vinho verde.
Located on the corner of Augusta and Rua do Comercio, the hotel is overlooked by one of the Lisbon’s most-iconic landmarks – the Arco da Rua Augusta. Perhaps more than any other building, this ostentatious triumphal arch symbolises the city’s rebirth following the earthquake, and for thousands of modern-day visitors to Lisbon, it’s the grand gateway to the stately Praca do Comercio and the River Tejo.
