Andaz Lisbon review: it’s all about colour and culture

As European city breaks go, Lisbon is up there with the best.

Before visiting the Portuguese capital for the first time this summer, I’d heard about the delicious pastel de natas, the beautiful tiles, the unrelenting hills… now, I was ready to experience it for myself.

But it wasn’t just The City of Seven Hills that I was there to explore. I was there to review the recently opened Andaz Lisbon, by Hyatt, a swanky new hotel built on the foundations of a historic bank.

Andaz Lisbon hasn’t only been designed to provide a luxurious stay for tourists (though it certainly does).

It also caters to locals, providing a relaxed vibe for after-work drinks and dinners that would pass muster with the biggest food snobs.

Metro checks in to see what staying here is really like.

Location

A 40-minute drive from the airport, the hotel is right in the thick of things, a stone’s throw from the iconic Rua Augusta Arch (which you get a bird’s eye view of from the rooftop bar).

During my two-night stay, I took myself on several walks to get a feel for the city (and, of course, to try the best pastel de natas in town, from Manteigaria, Santo António and Pastéis de Belém).

The hotel is a 12-minute walk from São Jorge Castle, a 12-minute walk from Mercado da Ribeira, and about a kilometre from the train station, should you wish to explore further afield.

First impressions

Most luxury hotels go for muted tones, but I say the more colour, the better.

And the designers who worked on Andaz Lisbon must feel the same way.

Lining the marble staircase are hand-painted ceramic pieces by artist Sofia Cruz. On the wall is an 18th-century tile panel, found during the restoration of the property and lovingly preserved.

The Andaz Lounge, where you can (and should) try local street food snacks, features a large painting by Francisca Coutinho that reminded me of a Picasso.

But the most memorable room is is Luzzi, the hotel restaurant with an orange and green ceiling and a floor painted a kaleidoscope of blue.

It was a feast for the eyes before I had a chance to tuck into my dinner.

The rooms

This hotel has several room categories, ranging from standard twinsclassic twins to a premium loft, all the way up to the Presidential Suite. 

I stayed in a King bed deluxe room, which is bright and airy thanks to massive windows that flood the room with natural light.

Each King room offers a different view of the city, including the Rua Augusta pedestrian street, one of Lisbon’s most famous streets.

The rooms range in price from around €300 a night (£258.50) to around €1,900 a night (£1,637) for the Presidential Suite.

Food, drink and facilities

There’s the (excellent) restaurant Luzzi, neighbouring rooftop bar Z Terrace, the Andaz lounge, and on a different note, parking for 38 vehicles.

Guests can bring pets (if they’re under 20kg), and the hotel hands out neighbourhood walking maps on request.

I am told they are in the process of building a spa and a fitness centre that will be available to use 24/7, but I’ll need to return to give an honest appraisal of that.

A special touch

Strolling through the historic neighbourhood of Alfama and taking in the sweeping panorama at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia made me feel as though I was getting a proper feel for Lisbon.

The only shame was that I didn’t have time for a trip on the iconic yellow tram.

I did, however, have a memorable experience, organised by the hotel: a street art tour with renowned artist Miguel Brum, including the opportunity to throw up my own graffiti.

(Miguel did most of the work, and was very encouraging as I helped to fill in the letters).

We even had an audience watching as my right arm grew tired and I was forced to switch to my non-dominant hand.

It’s way harder than it looks, but I loved every second of it.

The street art tour is one of several signature experiences on offer at Andaz Lisbon.

Others include joining a local fisherman on the water, going horse riding on an equestrian estate, exploring Lisbon’s buzzing nightlife, becoming immersed in a historic Masonic palace, and learning about the city’s fashion heritage. All lovely add-ons to a weekend break.

My honest verdict

My main motivation for going to Lisbon was to explore the city, but staying at Andaz Lisbon, by Hyatt was a wonderful experience in itself. 

It was one of the most unique hotels I’ve been to in terms of design, and while it was ideal for a short trip, I could definitely have stayed longer.

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