9HOTEL MERCY

9Hotel Mercy is a luxurious 4-star boutique hotel, designed by architect Miguel Saraiva and located in vibrant Bairro Alto. Guests can expect beautifully decorated rooms in tasteful beiges and blacks, with an emphasis on plush textures and soothing mood lighting. If you go for one of the spacious suites, you will also get a private terrace with views over Lisbon.

Even if you don’t get the suite, the rooftop bar offers incredible views. Overlooking Bairro Alto’s traditional streets and with sweeping vistas of the Tagus, it one of the best places in the city for watching the sunset over Lisbon with a drink in hand. There is also an excellent buffet breakfast available, and a stylish indoor bar for the rest of the year.

The hotel is extremely well located for gay visitors, with the Bairro Alto gayborhood a mere 5-minute walking distance. This includes Trombeta Bath, which is extremely popular on weekends, as well as local favorites like Clube da Esquina (mixed but very gay) and Side Bar (small gay cocktail bar). A slightly longer walk (15 minutes) will get you to Finalmente Club and the main Bairro Alto gay area.

9Hotel Mercy is a good example of the exceptional value you can get in Lisbon – rates are extremely affordable for the level of design and service you get.