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Lapa Palace Lisbon -The Ultimate Luxury European Hotel

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

Right after the great Lisbon earthquake in 1755, the first Baron of Porto Covo, Jacinto Fernandes Bandeira, rebuilt his home in a rural area outside the city center, the very first home in Lisbon’s now most famous and fashionable neighborhood, the Lapa district. Lapa means Moorish rock, from the original name “Lapa das Mouras”.

Approximately 115 years later, in 1870, the succeeding Viscount built for one of his sons a beautiful house in the Lapa District. Very disappointed that his son didn’t like it, the house was later sold to the Count of Valenças, who in 1883 decided to transform it into a magnificent palace with the help of the best artisans of the day. He built an adjoining tower providing a magnificent view of Lisbon and the Tagus River. The huge green area at the back of the Palace was transformed into a splendid garden.

It remained the family home until 1988, when it was sold to the Simões de Almeida family, who turned it into the Hotel da Lapa. During the process of renovation from palace to hotel, the best artists in Europe were employed to carefully maintain the original design of the Palace which brilliantly reflects the opulence of Portuguese society in the 19th century. The beautiful stained glass windows are original, as is much of the classic furniture in several of the public rooms.

Orient-Express Hotels acquired the hotel in 1998 and inaugurated the Villa (a new wing) in 2002, with 2 suites, 4 junior suites and 8 rooms, all with balcony and beautiful views over the lush gardens. Today, the hotel is divided into three different sections; the Palace wing, the Garden wing and the Villa Lapa with a total of 109 luxurious rooms.

As one would expect from an Orient-Express Property, the service, the attention to detail and ambiance is in every way exquisite. The Lapa Palace Spa provides indulgent treatments and beautiful facilities, including an indoor pool, steam room and sauna. One of the most unique aspects of this charming hotel is the grounds. With waterfalls and lush greenery, strolling through these gardens has a peaceful almost meditative quality.

Considered today as Lisbon’s “official visitor’s residence”, the Lapa Palace is frequented by a veritable laundry list of international aristocracy and celebrities. Just for fun, here is just a partial list:

• Her Royal Highness Queen Sofia of Spain
• His Royal Highness Prince of Asturias, of Spain
• His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex
• Their Royal Highness Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of Holland
• Their Royal Highness King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
• His Royal Highness the Prince Haakon of Norway
• Their Serene Highness Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert of Monaco
• His Royal Highness Prince Henrik of Denmark
• Their Royal Highness the Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg
• Nobel Prize winners Sir John and Lady Vane
• Nobel Prize winner William Sharpe
• Catherine Deneuve
• Tina Tuner
• Bryan Adams
• Seal and Heidi Klum
• Robin Williams
• Bono and U2
• Lucio Dalla
• Cher
• Grace Jones
• Sting

To add your name to the list and to fine out more about a stay in this magnificent hotel log onto www.lapapalace.com.

For more photos (scroll over photo’s for captions):