The secret’s out about Lisbon. Leisure tourism is surging, and digital nomads are also flocking to the Portuguese capital for the postcard panoramas, happening nightlife and near-constant sunshine. In the talked-about Park of Nations district, Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts debuted its latest property in summer 2023. The brand has a cult following among in-the-know family travelers, and the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente brings a resort-style experience to the city while also drawing long-stay guests who appreciate the thoughtfully designed amenities and five-star service.
First, a word about the neighborhood: Also known as the Oriente district, this formerly industrial area along the Tagus River has been reborn as one of the trendiest, following a revitalization project that started with Expo ’98 (World’s Fair). Overlooking the Vasco da Gama Bridge, it’s home to attractions such as the Oceanarium, Altice Arena and the cable car. The riverfront walking paths are lined with restaurants next to a yacht-dotted marina. The Lisbon Airport is less than two miles away, and the historic city center can be accessed by a 20-minute taxi/Uber ride. Nearby, the Oriente train station is a major hub for trains connecting Portugal’s north and south.
Housing both residences and hotel apartments, the building itself is a striking architectural statement. Lisbon-based architect Eduardo Capinha Lopes took inspiration from Austrian environmentalist-architect Hundertwasser in designing a green facade with Portuguese olive trees adorning the balconies. Behind the outdoor swimming pool, a vertical garden creates a green bridge to the city park next door. Sustainability is at the core of the project—from the solar panels and low-energy LED lighting to the efficient irrigation system for watering the plants.
Step into the lobby and it's art that catches your eye. Since the launch of its first “Luxury, Art, and Design Weekend” in 2011, Martinhal has nurtured young, emerging talent through exhibitions and special commissions. The company invited a coterie of Portuguese artists to enliven the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, which doubles as an art gallery featuring more than 800 works. Some of the most striking are by prominent street artist Bordallo II, known for transforming trash into animal-centric artwork to call out human consumption and its effects on the natural world. (His “Lionesses” hangs in the lobby, while “Lighted Koala” takes pride of place in the Terrace restaurant, also decorated with lush hanging plants.) Illustrator Kruella d’Enfer was commissioned to create a mural outside the elevators that spans all 19 floors—starting from the lower-level garage, and ascending all the way to the rooftop. Love some of the lithographs? There’s a gallery on the ground level where you can buy artwork to take home.
The 82 luxury hotel apartments resemble spacious residential retreats, in configurations from studios to three bedrooms. Sunlight pours through the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors into the open-plan living areas. Designed with comfort in mind, the chic contemporary decor was custom-made by Época Gold, a company in the north of Portugal. The kitchens are kitted out with Smeg appliances and supplies like dish soap so you don’t have to go to the grocery store. Nice touches abound: built-in closets, washing machines and black-out curtains operated by the touch of a button. Note that most hotel apartments are on the lower floors, but the penthouse (with knockout river views from the 14th floor) is available for hotel guests. For VIP bookings, reach out to Reservations Manager Alexandra Lopes ([email protected]). The 24-hour concierge service can be accessed by the My Martinhal online portal or by email request ([email protected]). Insiders tell us that many Americans looking to move to Portugal appreciate the Martinhal Lisbon Oriente as a launch pad for city discovery.
Martinhal’s niche is the multi-generational family market, with crowd-pleasing facilities designed with even the youngest guests in mind. Think indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, Martinhal Kids’ Club, trampolines in the garden, and a game room with billiards, board games and PlayStations. Want to stay fit on the road? Yoga classes and private trainers can be booked at the fitness club. For business travelers, the co-working space even comes with sound-proofed booths for Zoom meetings.
When it comes time to dining, the all-day restaurant serves up something for every palate. The theme takes its cue from the Lisbon “Oriente” neighborhood, so expect a fusion of Eastern and Portuguese tastes: Thai beef salad, Poori Bhaji, black cod and Korean pork ribs. It’s a versatile space with a bar and outdoor dining area (with a retractable ceiling that can be closed over the terrace in inclement weather). Weekly events such as Sushi Night and Wine Wednesday create a lively ambiance. The homemade breads are a hot ticket at the breakfast buffet, accompanied by menu items like the superfood porridge, polenta fritter and Eggs Benedict served with cauliflower couscous. The Sunday Brunch is a big hit among local families, complete with entertainment for kids.
Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is the brand’s second Lisbon property, complementing the smaller Martinhal Chiado that’s located in a historic building in the city center. Since launching the flagship in Sagres in 2010, founders Chitra and Roman Stern have worked to advocate for investment in Portugal; their entrepreneurial ventures also include the United Lisbon International School, which debuted in September 2020. Notably, Chitra was invited by the Portuguese Prime Minister in 2017 to become part of a special task force to encourage foreign direct investment. The homegrown Martinhal brand is itself an example of Portugal’s pioneering projects.
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