Hyatt Regency Hotel review, Lisbon, Portugal
I’ve always loved Fado, the soulful Portuguese guitar music that never fails to stir emotions. And never more so than hearing it during an 80-minute scrub and massage at the gorgeous Serenity spa that unfolds in the lower echelons of Lisbon’s Hyatt Regency Hotel.
The spa is a thermal pleasure dome for sure, while on the roof is the exclusive ICON Rooftop & Bar. It’s all about sunshine warmth, toe-tapping music, bar snacks, attentive service and cocktails. And, of course, the view onto the Tagus River, and the impressive April 25th suspension Bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada.
There’s plenty more to love about this contemporary hotel. The decor is somewhat minimalist, with a wide-open lobby, bright spaciousness, plenty of light oak, creamy floor tiles and lashings of natural light. In this environment, it’s easy to drop down a gear and breathe.
Hyatt Regency Lisbon lobby
Hyatt Regency’s location is just outside the city centre in Belem a historical district of cultural significance, lovely architecture, and scenic river views.
Who for
The hotel’s away-from-it-all location together with its magnificent spa and rooftop bar makes the Hyatt Regency perfect for couples who don’t want a city centre vibe but want to have easy access to it. The hotel has a corporate aspect too and business travellers have great Wi-Fi and business conference services and easy access to Lisbon Congress Centre.
Accommodation
The 204 rooms are spacious, with plenty of light oak floors and doors with muted colours supplied by the furnishings, artwork and rugs. Beds are extremely comfy and all amenities are provided.
Our suite 220A had a large bedroom with a large TV, a kitchenette, a full-size built-in fridge, a washing machine, a coffee machine, dishes, pots and pans and a sink alongside a spacious dining area also with a large TV.
Tip: Ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the Tagus River – this is where I enjoyed the first coffee of the day wrapped in the hotel’s dressing gown and slippers.
Food & Drink
The main restaurant on the ground floor, the VISEVERSA brasserie, offers traditional Portuguese cuisine. We got there on a Friday evening in time to hear the sounds of a saxophonist to experience Gin O Clock – a gin and food pairing experience. This included an eyebrow-raising gin infused with seaweed, sprayed with fried garlic oil and paired with a bun filled with tiger lobster roe and kimchi mayo.
Later we dined on a thick carrot soup made hearty with bits of pasta and a slightly seared tuna salad with pineapple.
The mains were a bowl of creamy truffle rice with distinct flavours of cheese and truffle mushrooms that blended well and a suitably spicy Peri Peri chicken served with mash and veg.
Grilled piri piri chicken
VISEVERSA is where a buffet breakfast of cooked food, fruit and pastries is served, though if you fancy an omelette, they can prepare that too.
There’s also the exclusive rooftop terrace and bar, ICON. I spent time there both during the day and again in the evening enjoying the views, and the music and drinking champagne or imbibing their Exotic Porn Star cocktail, a heady mix of Belvedere vodka, passion fruit, vanilla and sparkling wine.
Hyatt ICON rooftop after dark
ICON roof bar with views over the Tagus and 25th April bridge
ZEST restaurant is close to the gym and offers healthy offerings and just in front of the hotel is a tram carriage, Yellow Tram 65, offering snacks and drinks.
Facilities
The stunning 1000-metre-square Serenity spa – The Art of Wellbeing, is a major highlight of this hotel headed by the incredibly talented Fernanda Vasconcellos who curated the spa offerings.
Serenity Hyatt sauna
Experiental shower
Serenity Hyatt pool and beds
The various relaxation rooms and nine treatment rooms are beautiful and relaxing. Facilities include the sauna, steam room, and pool. A quirky experiential shower tube offers different types of thermal experiences to the sounds music and changing colours.
I chose the Feel Lisbon treatment a ritualistic experience that began by breathing in the scents of basil essential oil, then breathing exercises for a bit of mindfulness. Suitably relaxed I was put through an exfoliation process with Samouco salt and agarophilus algae, which is rich in nutrients and said to offer an anti-inflammatory effect.
Post-pamper tea and biscuits
I don’t know about that, but my skin was so, so soft. Then the full-body massage followed with ginger and cinnamon oils to counter physical and emotional fatigue. Later I recuperated from all of that pampering in the rest room helped by mint tea and biscuits.
If I had felt more active I would have headed to the high-tech fitness centre, ACTIVE by Serenity, but instead, I donned my walking shoes, caught a taxi and headed into town.
How much
Prices start from €180 euros (approx. £152) per night based on two adults staying in a Standard Twin Bedroom (breakfast not included).
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What’s nearby
The Hyatt Regency is located right by the Tagus river in Belem. It’s a nice area, so if you can tear away from the spa and the roof terrace, go for a stroll on the riverside promenade, check out the 16th-century Tower of Belém and the sail-shaped Discoveries Monument. A Portuguese speciality, the custard tart – which is available at the Hyatt breakfast buffet – can be tasted at its source at the popular Pastéis de Belém patisserie. Combine this with a visit to the nearby Gothic Jerónimos Monastery.
Check out the city too. Catch a tram or a taxi for a twenty-minute ride into Lisbon city centre for an abundance of shopping opportunities and restaurants. The most high-end are at Av. da Liberdade, such as JNcQUOI Asia, JNcQUOI Avenida and The Seen at the rooftop of Tivoli Hotel. I particularly liked O Faia Casa de Fado located in Rua da Barroca, a narrow cobbled alleyway in the Bairro Alto area, where I dined on regional cuisine and listened to a Fado show.
VERDICT: The Hyatt Regency Hotel is stylish, and contemporary with luxurious bedrooms and two heavenly experiences, its spa and its rooftop bar. It’s a good choice just outside the city centre.
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