Andaz Lisbon: A Luxury Hotel Review of the Hyatt Debut in Portugal
From the arched balcony at the new Andaz Lisbon, I look out over the historic Rua Augusta Arch and the large square in front of it, called Praça do Comércio. Yellow trams clatter through Lisbon’s Baixa district, and the Tagus River shimmers in the afternoon sun. The warmth of the light rests on my face.
The Andaz Lisbon is the Hyatt brand’s chic Portuguese debut. Planted near Rossio Square and occupying a full block, steps from the waterfront in the sun-kissed, terracotta-roofed heart of one of Europe’s oldest capitals. With expansion plans are already on the horizon, this new ‘lifestyle’ hotel was an instant hit when it opened in spring 2026 and continues to lure international travellers seeking a sophisticated, yet relaxed Lisbon stay. Entering this grand white hotel from the cobbles of Rua Augusta, heavy vaulted bronze doors are held open by a smiling porter. The original buildings raised after the Marquis of Pombal’s post-1755 reconstruction later housed the headquarters of one of Portugal’s major banks, BPI until 2018. An original 18th-century preserved marble staircase once leading to the bank manager’s office still twists upwards but now features hand-painted vases on each step.
Andaz General Manager Cajetan Araujo, the hotel’s charming well-travelled global hotelier, greets us by name pointing out a tiled artwork of Our Lady of Mercy hanging in pride of place in the entrance. A survivor of the great earthquake in 1775, she’s said to have shielded the building through the catastrophic time in the city’s history and is keeping her watch.
A smart reception assistant brings ‘check in’ to us and sitting on a green chaise taking in the richly hued lobby, we enjoy a brief pause sipping sparkling wine, while our passports checked are and room keys issued.
Looking around, every tile and surface salute the centuries of Lisbon’s maritime past, with Studio Urquiola’s interior design concept immersing guests in colour and warmth in artful detail, weaving teak, Lioz stone, cork, textiles, ceramics and traditional tiles together. “Lisbon is a city of rich culture, art, texture and soul, where history lives alongside creativity and every street tells a story”, says Araujo.
THE VIBE
Layered, with the warmth Andaz is known for, the hotel blends heritage grandeur with a looser, more sociable and creative energy that’s unmistakably Lisbon. At its heart is The Andaz Lounge with carefully chosen coffee table books and objet d’art placed on curved teak shelving, the wood a nod to the ships of the great adventurers and a fabulous cork piece by Beatrice Bonafini.
This social hub has a bar and café-like seating that brings the atmosphere of the city’s street-kiosk culture inside. The menu reads: ‘A modern take on the Lisbon kiosk serving local soul’. Elevated petiscos or Portuguese tapas are served here.
Petit grazing plates include croquettes, bifanas (mini hot ham rolls), salt-cod pastéis de bacalhau (fish cakes) and Brazilian empanadas. On tap MUSA a local IPA brewed by Lisbon’s Braço de Braça and a house gin. The highlight for me, a ‘by-the-glass’ wine list devoted to local female Portuguese winemakers.
THE ROOMS
Heavy biscuit-coloured shades in my room are pulled back to reveal a tiny wrought iron balcony overlooking the Lisbon’s Design Museum, MUDA, housing fashion and design from the 19th century. Fitting for such a stylish room. Like the rest of the hotel, Andaz Lisbon’s 170 rooms and suites celebrate Portugal in elegantly subtle ways with muted walls in blue and a grey bedhead with pops of colour in brightly hued furniture and details of cork, stone and mahogany and hand-set mosaic tile throughout, giving timeless results.
Technology streamlines everything from check-in to in-room digital art keeping the experience current. Bathrooms done out in natural stone feature Lioz stone square basins. Oxblood-tiled walk-in double showers have luxe Byredo Eleventh Hour bath products. Some suites feature egg-shaped bathtubs. An iron and ironing board are kept neatly in a drawer with hanging space above.
Minibars are packed with drinks including white port from northern Portugal, Ginja de Óbidos sour cherry liqueur, Sagres beer and Lisbon Sharish gin and salty snacks. There’s a Nespresso machine for coffee and variety of tea. Vista Alegre china cups, inspired by Lisbon pavement mosaics are a thoughtful touch.
FOOD AND DRINK
On the rooftop, Luzzi – the Portuguese word for light — is the hotel’s jewel of a restaurant. Jade-green banquettes nestle among tropical planting beneath vaulted ceilings tiled in black, white and burnt orange. The “modern Lusitanian” menu traces Portugal’s old trade routes, pulling in Goa, Macau, Brazil, Cabo Verde and Mozambique and cobalt floors nod to the sea that connects the countries inspiring the décor, sunshine-yellow tile celebrate Portugal, and murals by local artists carry patterns with unmistakably African roots.
Rope masks from Japan and bold murals painted by local artists in a riot of colour an ode to the city’s multicultural melting pot. Chef Bruno Alves describes it as having, “a jungle vibe and an African vibe.” He says: “We’re talking about happy countries and need strong colours, textures and flavours to represent their beautiful aromatics and spices.”
For dinner Cape Verdean-leaning tuna pie in flaky pastry is crowned with sweetcorn cream; shrimp dumplings swim in a fermented cassava broth; a moqueca-inspired seafood stew brings Brazilian warmth.
Chef Bruno Alves at Luzzi by Andy Waterworth
Charcoal-grilled whole fish, grilled on banana for a whisper of smoke and finished with mint, sage, parsley and coriander rounds out a menu built on memory, travel and technique.
Luzzi is also a draw card for locals. Araujo says: “It was important for Luzzi to be independent in how it looks, feels and acts,” crediting Chef Bruno Alves and restaurant GM Duarte Nunes with writing the restaurant design language that speaks to the city’s multicultural make-up. “Luzzi is a celebration of global culture. Food is an expression of culture. Bruno is Brazilian but came to us from Costa Rica, with time spent in Italy and Japan, yet he understands Portugal so well. He’s done an incredible job bringing in all our global influences,” adds Araujo. And Alves sure has. Dinner at Luzzi is one to remember. As chef promises, “it’s not fine dining it’s fun dining”. And while they may just be too cool for the Michelin Guide, the focus for the Luzzi team is simply, “to be the best in town.”
THE ROOFTOP BAR
Low, Moroccan-style seating and a late-night crowd of locals mark out the Z bar as one of Baixa’s better-kept secrets, with regular DJ sets and live sessions that run well past dinner. Home-made pennyroyal (an herb much used in the Alentejo) soda is mixed into Mojitos and the cocktails are superb with citrussy Japanese Pearl a must order.
STANDOUT FEATURES
Rooms are beautiful, Luzzi’s food incredible and the service is warm, helpful and efficient while generous sharing local intel and recommendations.
WHY BOOK?
Because this is the address everyone in Lisbon’s talking about and it lives up the hype. Meaning ‘personal style’ in Hindi, Andaz immerses guests in the spirit of local culture offering experiences to inspire curiosity and connection like the ‘Seven Hills Tour’, where locals escort you to the best night spots from popping into local bars and kiosks to being taken to see a moving Fado show, followed by late night cocktails at a vintage bar.
Stay once and you’re smitten, rebooking is irresistible.
Andaz Lisbon, By Hyatt | Rua do Comércio 132, 1100-150 Lisbon, Portugal
Renate Ruge
Renate is a specialist in quality content creation in the travel and lifestyle space. A highly experienced and well-travelled freelance editor and journalist, she has excellent publishing credentials and an international background, living and working in London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Berlin, Toronto and New York and now based in England's Ribble Valley. Previously the editor of Food and Travel and Journey magazines she specialises in travel writing and photography as a freelancer. Her work has been published in: Sainsbury’s Magazine, The Times and Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Supper, France magazine, Yorkshire Post Magazine and more.
