The One Palácio da Anunciada

It takes some nerve for a hotelier to think they can improve on a 16th-century palace in central Lisbon. But we’re grateful for the confidence shown by One Hotels, the high-end division of the Spanish H10 chain. They’ve managed to transform this 1533-vintage aristocratic home into something more than a restoration, thanks to the work of designer Jaime Beriestain, whose contemporary minimalist interiors are a delightful counterpoint to the palace’s ornate architecture. The One Palácio da Anunciada is impressive from top to bottom, and its expertly balanced style will appeal to traditionalists and design enthusiasts alike.

While the modern design of the rooms is visually pleasing, the thorough renovation also opens the door to modern convenience: things like bedside USB outlets and clean-lined marble-floored bathrooms, some with freestanding soaking tubs in addition to their walk-in showers. A full-service spa and an indoor and an outdoor pool cement the One’s status as a proper grand hotel, as does the flagship restaurant, Condes de Ericeira, whose contemporary tables and chairs sit humbly beneath a dazzling frescoed ceiling. To that is added the Boémio Cocktail Lounge and O Jardim Wine Bar, two equally impressive spaces. From here it’s easy to see why Lisbon is so in demand.