Years have passed since the opening of the hotel in Lisbon was considered a significant event. When the author first visited the city more than two decades ago, he could recite all the novelties not only of the capital but of the entire country by heart. However, Portugal has become one of the world's favorite destinations, and since then, the number of hotels has multiplied many times over.
Today, keeping up with this pace is practically impossible. Hotels open (and close) lightning fast. Most of them go unnoticed, but some appear to make an impression. ME Lisbon is one such place, and there are nine reasons for this, from the rooftop pool to the spa.
The author, who prefers to enter a hotel room with a childlike spirit and immediately check the mini-bar, admitted that he was won over even before seeing the impressive bathtub, spacious living room, and pillow-laden bed. He believes that calling it just a mini-bar (or, worse, a mini-bar, as they say in Portugal) is heresy. The ME Lisbon Superbar offers standard-sized bottled drinks, full equipment for making quality cocktails, as well as an abundance of cookies, chocolate, and other treats.
The second point is the rooms overlooking the popular Fismuler. This restaurant's menu includes a dish that has gained fame in Lisbon: a huge Milanese steak, served in a thin, crispy layer, with egg and truffle. The menu also features other delicious dishes for sharing, such as burrata with Iberian pork cheek and roasted peach; tarte tatin with leek and truffle mortadella; and a cod pie.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is lively and festive, including live music moments. The Estúdio ME+ Júnior Suíte Marquês de Pombal apartments feature a real bathroom almost as large as the room itself. A stylish bathtub is at the center. If desired, this area can be separated from the bedroom, but simply opening the curtains can create an integrated and spacious atmosphere.
From check-in to check-out, a concierge staff member is always available via WhatsApp message—this is consistently a young, enthusiastic, and proud hotel employee, which is becoming increasingly rare. The hotel is located on the 13th floor and has a lively bar with a panoramic 360-degree view of the city.
There is also a large, spacious, open area with an incredible view of central Lisbon. The spa area is small but contains everything necessary: a heated indoor pool, a sauna, and two treatment rooms. Massages last an hour and a half and are performed using typically Portuguese ingredients: ginja seeds (a type of sour cherry that is the basis of one of the country's most famous liqueurs) and cinnamon.
A signature feature of the hotel is the artwork created by Portuguese artists, found everywhere: from the stunning three-dimensional tile panel adorning the reception to the works of artist Maria Ana Vasco Costa, Rene Cruz Tavares, Fernanda Fragaiteiro, Silva, and Joana Astolfo.
The author could start with this point, having already enough arguments. ME Lisbon is within walking distance of everything interesting in the heart of Lisbon. To Marques de Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade, where major Lisbon brands (Gucci, Hermès, or Dior) are concentrated, as well as favorite shops like COS and Massimo Dutti and restaurants such as the new and delightful JNcQUOI Fish, it is only a 5-minute walk. Barely noticing this, you can find yourself in Baixa, where Rossio, Restauradores, and Comercio squares are located, right on the banks of the Tagus. On one side, the hills rise to Chiado; on the other, to Alfama and the castle.
