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This charming family-run hotel occupies a superb cliff-top location in the expat stronghold of Cascais, around 30 minutes from the city. The stylish Albatroz Palace has a reputation for providing its guests with every home comfort imaginable, plus the bonus of rooms with a view—in this case overlooking the beautiful Cascais bay. The restaurant is famed for its elegant ambience, fine cuisine and another excellent view. The meeting space has a maximum capacity of 100.
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Built 11 years ago in a location just five minutes from the airport and close to the city’s exhibition centre, the Altis Park is a modern business-oriented hotel that caters to the busy executive’s every need. The Navigators restaurant serves international cuisine in a pleasant setting, and after-dinner drinks can be enjoyed in the Adamastor piano bar. All rooms are sound-proofed with individually controlled air-conditioning. Sporty business travellers will enjoy the gym, tennis court, squash court and free entry to the nearby Olaias health club. The less sporty might prefer the Olaias centre next to the hotel, which has 90 shops to browse. Eleven meeting rooms have a maximum capacity of 550.
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To experience true elegance in the heart of Lisbon, book into the five-star Avenida Palace. Built in 1892, it still has an air of romance from the belle époque. The entire hotel was refurbished in the late 90s—all mod cons were added but the antiques and brocade remain firmly in place. Given a choice, aim to stay in one of the suites, sumptuously furnished in the style of Louis XV and with great views. The standard rooms are also elegantly decorated in a classic style with full sound-proofing and air-conditioning. Meeting rooms seat up to 140. Descend the marble staircase and stroll through the beautiful salons to the cosy piano bar where Lisbon’s movers and shakers gossip discreetly over drinks.
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The Estoril Palacio’s stately facade, plush interior and high-ceilinged bedrooms will transport you back to the era of colonial decadence, but with the convenience of modern facilities. The Palacio has hosted some of the most famous royal and political figures in the world and the staff is well versed in making every guest feel special. If you’re planning a meeting, there is a modern conference centre for up to 500, and a challenging 18-hole golf course for relaxing with colleagues and clients. Dine in the Four Seasons Grill, a classic, intimate restaurant with great food.
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After an extensive renovation, the former Farol Inn reopened in 2002 under the [name] Faro Design Hotel, the greater Lisbon area’s first contemporary boutique hotel. Wonderfully located on the seafront in Cascais, 16 of the unit’s 34 rooms were daringly decorated by prominent Portuguese designers. Businessmen use the hotel’s two meeting rooms (total 170 people) regularly for meetings or seminars. The Rosa Maria restaurant now serves Portuguese and Italian food. There is another small restaurant offering sushi and tempura. Locally renowned discotheque Coconuts is 30 metres away in the same grounds.
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Long considered the city’s finest hotel, the elegant Ritz Lisbon is renowned for sophisticated decor throughout and opulent suites enhanced by an outstanding contemporary art collection. Even the standard rooms offer stunning views of the city’s most famous landmarks. Luxury is the watchword here, from the oversized towels in the rooms to the complementary personal CD players loaned to swimmers who want to relax after a few laps in the heated pool. Food and service at the hotel’s Veranda restaurant, popular for lunch among local movers and shakers, is of a similarly high standard. Meeting rooms seat a maximum of 600.
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Located in the bustling Parque das Nações, the Art’s VIP Hotel is part of the Art’s Business & Hotel Centre, which was awarded best office development in 2004, the year the complex opened. One advantage of its location is that it’s close to all public transport and only 4kms from the airport and the city centre. The hotel’s restaurant and bars are frequented by people who work in the area. The Art’s Hotel has a separate entrance for meetings and conferences. It boasts a 200-seat auditorium with video-conferencing facilities and seven separate meeting rooms.
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The five-star luxury Hotel Bairro Alto, which opened in May last year, is an asset to the neighbourhood—in fact, to the whole of Lisbon. It is the city’s first contemporary boutique hotel (55 rooms) and adds a touch of classy modernity to the area it’s in. Among the hotel’s features are its trendy restaurant Flores, with Portuguese 2005 Chef of the Year Henrique Sá Pessoa heading the kitchen team, and its fashionable bar Garrett, with street access. There is also a rooftop terrace with a splendid view, which can be used for special events, a fitness centre and a private boardroom.
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Directly opposite the Amoreiras Business Centre, 15 minutes from the international airport and 10 minutes from the city’s historic centre, the Dom Pedro is always a hive of business activity (20 meeting rooms can seat up to 500). Busy execs will appreciate the fact that all standard rooms have king-size beds and a sitting area with work desk, and the hotel boasts its own 'anti-stress centre’, offering amazing massages. Le Café bistro is perfect for a quick bite. For more of a dining experience opt for gourmet Italian cuisine at Il Gattopardo, which also has an intimate cocktail bar. The 19th floor VIP lounge, with panoramic views of Lisbon, is a favourite haunt of European high flyers and politicians.
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Opened in 2001, the Tivoli Tejo is the best-equipped hotel in the Parque das Nações area, located at a two-minute walk from the Oriente railway station and its public transport interface. It has a state-of-theart business centre, with wireless internet access, and a fantastic health club with pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, the works. Featuring all the latest audio-visual equipment, the hotel’s 11 meeting rooms can cater for events and banquets of up to 300 people. Golf packages are also available. The view from the 16th floor VIII Colina restaurant is unforgettable.
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The Tryp Oriente—then still Mélia Confort Oriente—opened at the time of the inauguration of the Expo98 World Fair. The hotel is conveniently located opposite the FIL exhibition centre. 'Practical and functional’ is the Tryp Group motto. The Oriente is pretty basic, but the advantage is that the rack rate for a single room lies around €100. There’s no business centre as such, but there is a central desk with a computer and internet that guests can use and rooms are equipped with a desk and internet connection. There is no gym, but health clubs nearby offer hotel guests special rates. The hotel has six meeting rooms for a total of 90 people.
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This former country house in the centrally located embassy district has entertained royalty and heads of state since it opened as a hotel 13 years ago. Sting, Catherine Deneuve and Cher are all regular guests, and you can see why as you wander through the stunning gardens of this opulent 19th century hilltop palace, complete with waterfalls and palms. The outdoor highlight is the beautiful pool area with its elegant café and bar. Inside, the hotel is equally decadent and the staff is dedicated to making you feel special. The charming Ristorante Hotel Cipriani serves excellent Venetian-inspired cuisine. The small business centre offers free internet access if you don’t want to use the modem in your room, and meeting rooms seat up to 250.
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Redecorated in 2002 by famous Portuguese interior designer Graça Viterbo, this charming hotel is centrally located and offers one of the most comfortable beds in town. There are even anti-allergy rooms for sensitive guests. The contemporary lounge and bar area is perfect for a casual business drink and the restaurant serves decent food. Meeting rooms have a maximum capacity of 140.
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The Marriott in Lisbon is true to the company’s watchword: consistency. Located just 10 minutes from both the airport and the city centre, the hotel is aimed squarely at the global business traveller who likes to know that the breakfast buffet will feature the usual Marriott hash browns and six different types of bread. On the plus side, the restaurant offers what many believe is the best burger in town. Overall, the hotel features all the facilities one would expect from such a commercially minded chain, including seven meeting rooms for up to 2,200. Rooms are comfortable and functional and all offer ISDN lines. The one drawback is that it’s slightly on the edge of town.
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This hotel and golf resort enjoys a reputation as a fabulous oasis away from it all, and thoroughly deserves it. Located in the foothills of Sintra, around 20 minutes from the city, the Penha Longa’s rooms have balconies with stunning views over the. There is an 18-hole golf course for mixing business with pleasure and meal times don’t disappoint thanks to the excellent Midori Japanese restaurant. The only downside of staying here is the journey into central Lisbon, which can take up to an hour. Meeting rooms for up to 300.
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Located in the heart of Lisbon, the Pestana Palace is actually a restored 19th century palace set in subtropical gardens full of lush vegetation. One of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in Lisbon, it is listed as a national monument. However, the rooms are fully modernised, with a choice of garden, river or panoramic city view. The acclaimed Valle Flor restaurant overlooks the private park and serves top-quality food. Conference facilities include 15 meeting rooms for up to 630.
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If you find yourself in Lisbon for an overnight stay before an early flight, the Radisson is a good choice with its comfortable interior and efficient service. It’s also right next to the second circular motorway to the airport, making check-in a short hop away, and it’s close to the Colombo shopping centre for last-minute shopping. The Bordalo Pinheiro restaurant serves standard fare and entertainment is provided by the resident pianist in the Malhoa cocktail bar. There is a fully equipped fitness club to ease those stresses and strains. Eleven meeting rooms have the capacity for up to 180.
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World travellers will recognise all the usual Sheraton touches in this upmarket but comfortably familiar hotel, with the added distinction of a knock-out view. It’s housed in Lisbon’s tallest building in the centre of town and affords memorable views over the city, the river and the sea. The luxurious Tower guestrooms on the top two floors are the most sumptuous, but standard rooms do not disappoint. The Caravela restaurant offers fairly standard international fare but, for a more memorable experience, dine at the Panorama restaurant and bar on the top floor. The conference facilities offer the latest technology and 11 meeting rooms for up to 590.
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The Tivoli’s lobby, lounge restaurants and bar buzz with passing trade from central Lisbon. This fashionable meeting point offers more than 100 brands of whisky as well as a wide range of spirits and cocktails and a variety of Cuban and Dominican Republic cigars. Upstairs, the rooms are spacious, quiet and comfortable, and equipped with all the usual mod cons. Business facilities include a conference capacity of 200. Hungry executives love the exclusive and excellent rooftop grill—a regular haunt of distinguished politicians, decision makers and other admirers of both the cuisine and the dazzling view over Lisbon.
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