Pestana Palace in Lisbon

Pestana Palace is a luxury hotel in Lisbon's Alcântara district, housed in the historic Palácio Valle Flor. It is the flagship hotel of the Pestana Group, one of Portugal's leading hotel groups, and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The palace is classed as a national monument, so many visitors come as much for the architecture and gardens as for the stay.

Who built the palace?

The palace was commissioned by José Luís Constantino Dias, the future Marquis of Valle-Flôr. Born in Trás-os-Montes, he went to São Tomé at sixteen and became a major figure in the cocoa trade. King Carlos gave him the plot of land at Alto de Santo Amaro. Construction was completed in 1904 to a design by the Italian architect Nicola Bigaglia, who drew on French models.

What does the architecture look like?

The façades and interiors combine features from the Louis XIV, Regency, Louis XV and Louis XVI periods. This blend gave the palace a cosmopolitan character. The residence attracted distinguished guests and for a time became the centre of Lisbon's social life.

What should you know about the gardens?

The grounds hold more than a thousand exotic plant species, and some of the trees are classified as national monuments. The plants and flowers recall the impressionist gardens of southern France, making a walk along the paths a pleasant pause from sightseeing.

How did the palace become a hotel?

After decades of uncertainty and neglect, the Pestana Group acquired the palace in 1991. A decade-long programme of intervention, conservation and restoration followed, bringing back the beauty of the façades, interiors and gardens. On 18 May 2001 the former private palace reopened as Pestana Palace Lisboa.

Where is it?

The hotel stands in Alcântara, in western Lisbon near the Tagus, at roughly 38.7038 N, 9.1868 W. It works well as a base for travellers who want to combine a stay in historic surroundings with exploring the city.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pestana Palace only a hotel? It operates as a five-star hotel, but it is also a national monument, with a palace and garden of historical value.

When was the palace built? In 1904, for José Luís Constantino Dias, Marquis of Valle-Flôr.

When did the hotel open? On 18 May 2001, after a ten-year restoration that began in 1991.

Who designed the building? The Italian architect Nicola Bigaglia, drawing on French architecture.

Are the gardens worth visiting? Yes. They contain over a thousand exotic species, and some trees hold national monument status.