Altis Belém Hotel & SPA

Lisbon is a city whose hotel scene seems sometimes a little too in touch with its ancient character. So a hotel like Altis Belém is playing very much against type — and a sign that the hyper-modern, hyper-luxe look that’s now so familiar in Madrid and Barcelona is spreading to the furthest reaches of the Iberian peninsula.

The building, by the local firm RISCO Architects, makes the most of Lisbon’s confluence of sun and sea, its all-white exterior gleaming in the daylight and its similarly pearly interiors glowing behind movable window screens. And the location, too, makes the most of the elements — its position on the riverside promenade offers guests easy access to one of Lisbon’s best outdoor spaces, and makes the hotel something of a public monument.

Once inside, Altis Belém’s rooms continue to impress. It’s the boutique-luxe vision distilled to its purest form, plush white linens against dark wood backgrounds and ultra-sleek bathrooms complete with zero-privacy baths. Know your traveling companion well. The rooms are a little more opaque to the outside world, thanks to those moving window screens, and the views from inside, over the waterfront and the river, are nothing short of inspiring.

Social spaces abound as well — the ground-floor restaurant and café are the hotel’s immediate interface with the city, and in warm weather the outdoor seating is greatly appreciated. As is the bar with its views from the terrace, particularly at sunset. Add an indoor pool and spa and the result is a luxury boutique that’s remarkably complete.