LISBON IN STILLNESS AND STYLE: A STAY AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RITZ LISBON
words by AYA SOFIA OPPENBERG
There’s a particular kind of quiet found only in truly exceptional hotels — a soft and composed luxury that lingers the halls and lives in the details. It doesn’t try to be impressive; it just is. At the FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RITZ LISBON, this sense of calm is present in every element. Luckily for us, our editor-in-chief, TIMOTEJ LETONJA, had the pleasure of paying a visit.
The room was expansive, with a private terrace overlooking Eduardo VII Park — Lisbon’s most iconic stretch of green. Morning light drifted slowly across the space, and the bed was near impossible to leave, wrapped in the most refined bedding. On the rooftop, a gym unlike any other awaits, complete with an open-air running track that offers a panoramic view of the skyline. As the city unfolds below, working out becomes something ceremonial. Just below, the spa and indoor pool offer their own rhythm, inviting restorative moments of pause and presence. Dinner that evening was at CURA, the hotel’s Michelin-starred jewel. Now under the direction of CHEF RODOLFO LAVRADOR, the restaurant delivers flawless Portuguese cuisine — clean, seasonal and deeply rooted in place — served in a space that balances intimacy with elegance.
Art quietly accompanies you throughout the hotel, integrated into the space in a way that feels natural and considered. The building, which opened in 1959 and has recently been renovated, holds onto its history with care. The original modernist design has been preserved and updated, while maintaining clear ties to the local setting. From the terrace, the view extends past the hotel and into the heart of Lisbon. The city feels close without being overwhelming, and you’re invited to slow down, stay a little longer and notice the beauty in the stillness.
