Europe • Portugal • Lisbon • Hotel Review
Santa Clara 1728: A Serene Retreat for Lisbon Adventures
Six quietly beautiful suites, marble baths, and farm-led dining in an 18th-century Lisbon residence.
By Lucrezia Worthington
Why it works
As you draw open the linen curtains from your suite window, the golden dome of the National Pantheon glows against the sunrise over the Tejo River. This is a truly memorable sight and a hint that your trip to Lisbon will unfold at a calm, leisurely pace.
Set within an 18th-century building, hotelier João Rodrigues and his family restored this historic Lisbon residence, transforming it into their family home and opening six suites to guests. Santa Clara 1728 is one of five properties in the Silent Living collection, all renovated in collaboration with Architect Manuel Aires Mateus.
Design & Character
From the charming square of Santa Clara, you’ll enter into the grand hall of the property. Take a moment here to appreciate the elegant stone staircase leading up to the suites. To your left is the reception, and to your right, is an intimate dining room tastefully arranged with vases and magazines.
The aesthetic is very soothing. Manuel Aires Mateus interplayed between interior and exterior, using natural lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, and thoughtful attention to materials, textures, and colours.
Rooms
Everything is seamlessly coordinated. The bedrooms evoke simplicity, with light wooden four-poster beds, large closet space, and airy white linen curtains that drift softly in the breeze.
The bathrooms however, are every person’s dream: chalk-white tiles complement sandy-toned marble sinks and bathtubs; even the tissue boxes are encased in white linen. The Santa Clara suite has a large walk-in shower with dual showerheads - so no need to play rock, paper, scissors for who showers first.
Dining
When it comes to food and drink, the concept of in-house is just as strong. The dining room shifts from Solo for lunch to Ceìa for dinner, but despite the two distinct culinary experiences, they share a common philosophy: approximately 85% of the ingredients are harvested from their farm at Herdade no Tempo in Montemor-O-Novo. Executive Chef Renato Bonfim crafts seasonal menus, which are in the form of a-la-carte at lunchtime and a tasting menu at dinner - with the choice of wine pairing or non. For those who don’t drink, you’ll be served various homemade water-based kefirs, kombuchas, and Kvass.
The Neighborhood
Ultimately, city hotels can fall into two categories: those at the bustling center of the action, and those, like Santa Clara 1728, that are slightly apart, offering a secluded haven where you can unwind in the idyllic atmosphere, overlooking the ocean, after a long day of exploring. The choice is yours, but we know which we’d choose.
Fast Facts
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Address: Campo de Santa Clara 128, Lisboa, Portogallo
The Vibe: Understated luxury enhanced with natural colours and materials.
Food + Drink: A convivial table hosts breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with ingredients picked from the property’s farm in Montemor-O-Novo. In the evening, guests will dine together, with a three-hour-ish experience that kicks off at 8 p.m.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel: The bathrooms, each with a sublime marble bathtub that screams out for some “me time.”
Amenities: Wi-Fi, Nespresso machine and a restaurant.
What’s Nearby? The neighbourhood is set on the highest point of Lisbon, so nearby, you’ll find beautiful gardens and viewpoints for watching the sunset behind the city.
Any personal neighborhood recs? The Graça neighbourhood is very traditional; however, hip joints are beginning to spring up: Vino Vero is great for natural wine, and Neighbourhood and Hello Kristof are Aussie-style cafès for brunch and smashed burgers.
Rooms: 6 suites
Pricing (at original publication): Rates start at $432 per night.
Closest Airport: The Aeroporto Humberto Delgado is around twenty minutes away.
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