We review Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, a golden resort-like stay under the Portuguese sun 

We’re obsessed with Lisbon, and not just because it has some of the world’s finest hotels. The Portuguese capital is rich in history, art, entertainment, gastronomy, and well, the weather is a draw on its own, too. Four Seasons enthusiasts are in for a tasty, tasty treat here, as the Lisbon edition is right in the action, or rather, is the main event. We checked into Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon hungry for Portuguese delicacies, especially pastel de natas, and we weren’t disappointed.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own. We may earn a commission if you decide to book.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon review

Ritz and all that jazz

When a hotel has a history steeped in the Ritz name, you know there will be (sophisticated) opulence. This property has local culture running through its veins, along with art-deco sensibilities that fuse with an updated Louis XVI style. It’s located in the city’s most revered address too, overlooking rolling hills and Old Town. 

Thanks to skies so sublime, many guests choose to burn calories up on the rooftop running track rather than indoors. The Four Seasons took over management of the hotel in 1998, adding excellence to the overnight experience in the shape of signature Four Seasons amenities, rigorous upkeep, and of course, the kind of meticulous service brand loyalists have come to know and love. 

Rooms and suites

There are a total of 282 rooms and suites on the property, and we were pleased to discover that even entry-level options offered a sanctuary-esque feel whereby you’ll happily stay in without feeling claustrophobic. Perhaps it’s down to their sweeping private terraces, or the plush blue, green, and earth interiors that bring in the freeing sensibility and space of the outdoors. It’s almost like a resort in the city. 

When entering our Premier City View Room, we immediately felt a weight lifted off our shoulders: the curtains draw open at your first entry to say ‘hello’. A lounger is positioned facing the private terrace, and the large King bed had the views too, signalling a strong invitation to switch off from the office. It’s part of the allure of Lisbon as a holiday destination, where business is well attended to, but locals understand the importance of life’s pleasures. Spoiler alert: our welcome treats were mini pastel de natas, which we couldn’t get enough of.

The bathroom was beautified with delicious Oliófora products from a Portuguese boutique brand. They bubbled well to soak in, though did not come in bath-specific format. Instead, we dripped shower gel into the tub for a similar effect. Beverage amenities are from Jing, and your machine’s a DeLonghi, which always makes a nice strong espresso.

Overall, these newly refurbished rooms and suites retain the hotel’s original fifties style with clean, minimal lines to give a peaceful, European-Zen of a retreat no matter what tier you’re in. Mirrors and gold accents take you to the Ritz, darling. Add signature Four Seasons slippers, robes, and thoughtful turn-down touches (staff left bookmarks on our books, and eyeglass cloths on our specs), to round out what is a 10/10 overnight experience. 

Food and drink

There’s no visiting the Four Seasons in Lisbon without an evening at CURA. This is a Michelin-starred restaurant that re-writes the meaning of Portuguese fine dining. Chef Pedro Pena Bastos draws from Lisbon’s rich regional palette of seasonal ingredients on artisanal dishes of great depth, taste, and meaning. 

The signature dish is the squid with hazelnuts, and while it is a standout, you’ll most likely visit with a seasonal special to hotly contend for your favour. The wines, all Portuguese at our time of visit, paired perfectly and too, were exceptional in their own right. 

Other concepts on the property include Varanda, where breakfast is served (yes, there were pastel de natas—we did not hold back!) The all-day destination has one of the best views of Eduardo VII Park. There’s the Ritz Bar, carrying an elegant sushi counter for those who fancy a bite with a beverage, and the Ritz Pool Bar offers al fresco dining and locally-inspired cocktails to break up the splash.

Wellness and the best way to treadmill

There are multiple facets to wellness here. Let’s start with treatments. Though we did not book any, they take place on floor S, the spa sanctuary. There are four treatment rooms, each with private showers and ergonomically designed treatment beds and ritual chairs. Eucalyptus-scented saunas and steam rooms are available pre or post-treatment. 

Then you have the main pool. Its 18-metres-long making it suitable for laps, though we found it enjoyable for a paddle and a poolside respite. Indoor and outdoor options are available.

On the top floor, there’s the fitness centre, which has a studio for yoga, Pilates, dancercise and stretching. But we came for the USP, the incredible rooftop running track. This outdoor circle boasts 360-degree views of the city and landmarks, and honestly, is the best way to combine a workout with sightseeing. We found we ran for far longer than normal as it was such a joy, and that’s knowing that sightseeing comes with uphill steps.

Things to do

The hotel is centrally located in front of Eduardo VII Park, a focal point for many of its vistas, but when in Portugal all we had on the brain was food, and so we stepped out to eat as much as possible. 

Strapped for time, we booked a Lisbon Food & Fado Tour on City Experiences to sample the greats. The four-hour jaunt took us through the maze-style streets of Alfama and Mouraria, stopping for bites of local octopus and croquettes. It culminated with a live fado performance. I highly recommend this experience. It’s easy to mistake a tourist trap for an authentic experience, but these were the real deal and we felt like we were getting under the skin of Lisbon with knowledgeable guides who were plugged in with the community.

Finally, since we wanted to tick off sights like the Elevador de Santa Justa, Torre de Belém, and Arco da Rua Augusta, we purchased the 24-hour Lisboa Pass for around £20 each. This is good for entry to 39 attractions, with fast track at some, and includes transportation (the metro subway, buses, trams, and more) between them. It’s worth it if you’re seeing more than two attractions in a day as it’ll pay for itself. Tip: do your priority attractions early in the day, like, at opening time. Lisbon is a hot tourist destination and the lines get long. Pair that with heat and it could be unpleasant.

Getting there

The hotels is easy to reach via public transit. If you’re landing late and want to arrive in style at the hotel (like we did) without breaking the budget, the city is serviced by Blacklane. It’s a premium chauffeur service that tracks your flight on the day, with a member of their smartly-dressed personnel at the gate ready to whisk you to a luxury vehicle (the fleet features Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW). Our journey from the airport to the hotel was just 38 euros. It was definitely much better than getting lost and arriving hot and sweaty!

Find out more about Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon or Book through Booking.com

But wait, there’s more…

• Not one, but two Four Seasons hotels make our London list. See where they rank in our best five-star hotels feature.
• We also review the gorgeous Altis Belém and its Michelin-awarded restaurant in Lisbon
• Still want more? Perhaps our round-up of the best boutique hotels in Lisbon will help you make a decision