Lisbon city retreat: Palacio Ramalhete

We arrived at our Lisbon palacio at 12.01. I know this because I glanced at my watch. The sun was ‘past the yard arm’ and I gladly accepted a welcome glass of bubbles. It was pouring with rain outside, this was the bottled sunshine for the day.

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

Our room at Palacio Ramalhete wasn’t ready but with three gorgeous lounges to relax in this wasn’t a problem. Furnished with big white sofas, fresh flowers and dotted with Taschen and teNeues coffee table books, it was the place to spend a rainy day!

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

It stopped pouring with rain for a while, changing to just heavy rain – thank goodness for my diligent carrying of umbrellas!  We strayed out for a mooch and lunch (over 30,000 steps each day on this trip…) but with soggy feet were back mid afternoon. I took a nap while my coat and shoes dried! We headed back out later as the sun appeared and we had a wine tasting evening booked.

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

Our room used to be the palace chapel and it was gorgeous.  I picked it for the stunning Portuguese tiling.

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

The room has incredibly high ceilings and an intricate carving above the bed of a dove is retained as a unique feature.  The decor is simple and calming – white linen, white sofa, wooden floors, blue and grey features.

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

We loved the bathroom.  There wasn’t a bath, but it had stunning decor and plenty of space. And an old fashioned artistic print in the shower which added yet more character.

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

Throughout the hotel there is so much space, excellent for a city hotel. A really airy and ‘country in the city’ feel. The hotel is located on a quiet street a little out of town. We tended to go most places on foot and used Uber on occasion – easy and cheap.

Breakfast was tasty, generous and fresh plates were brought for each guest rather than just a buffet. We left at 5am to fly home and they were ready to send us away with a care package!

Hidden away is a pool, I gave it a cursory glance but sadly we weren’t there for long enough. It is surrounded by a pretty little courtyard garden that would be perfect for summer evening drinks, or tea and a book. A genius bit of architecture to fit this in!

A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker A Lisbon city retreat at Palacio Ramalhete - Travel with Penelope & Parker

We were so extremely glad to stumble across the Palacio Ramalhete in our ‘hidden gem‘ research. We had been so close to redeeming IHG or SPG points, but in a city with such history, being able to stay in a rare bit of it that wasn’t destroyed in the 1755 earthquake was a treat.

You can read my tips for the perfect visit to Cascais and Lisbon here. And for inspiration about where to stay in Cascais, I highly recommend the boutique Villa Cascais.

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18 Comments

    • April 17, 2017 / 4:11 pm

      I love finding a little haven away from the city, I am pretty sure they are everywhere if we look!

  1. heatheronhertravels
    April 18, 2017 / 7:59 am

    Love the decor – those tiles are just so Portuguese and it all looks very romantic

  2. Mellissa Williams
    April 18, 2017 / 8:04 am

    This is a beautiful hotel. We are going to Lisbon very soon and I wish I was staying here now!

    • April 18, 2017 / 12:20 pm

      Hopefully you will return then! I was perfect to be away from a city hotel somewhere a little different!

  3. Sara @ Travel Continuum
    April 22, 2017 / 7:01 pm

    There’s no accommodation classier than one which has blended original and traditional features with classic elegance and modern comforts, and the Palacio Ramalhete seems to have done this to perfection.

  4. April 23, 2017 / 4:32 pm

    I love the azulejo tiles in the room, they really add a sense of place. Next time I plan a visit to Lisbon I know exactly where I’ll be staying!

  5. Lucy Dodsworth
    April 23, 2017 / 5:17 pm

    The combination of those traditional tiles and all the white walls looks so calming and relaxing. I’m hoping to make it out to Lisbon before too long so I’ll be keeping a note of this one!

  6. April 24, 2017 / 7:52 pm

    All that tile work-Ah….. I find those blues so soothing and relaxing and would be tempted to take a nap after a nice lunch with the rain too! Lisbon has been high on my wish list after falling hard for the Portuguese way of life in the Azores. I must get there soon!

    • April 25, 2017 / 11:52 am

      Portugal seems to be a complete hidden gem – places like this, and the islands too. As you say the way of life is pretty lovable

    • July 17, 2018 / 10:27 am

      Such a great find, a true gem full of history and no corporate nonsense!!

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