Lisbon's Palácio Príncipe Real hotel blends aristocratic history with modern luxury

Located in Lisbon's Príncipe Real neighbourhood, Palácio Príncipe Real was originally constructed in 1877 as a residence for a co-founder of Diario de Noticias. It subsequently served as the home of the Teixeira da Mota family, who hosted lavish high-society events for more than a century. Following the family's departure in 1980, the property deteriorated until it was rediscovered by retired British couple Miles and Gail Curley in 2015. They collaborated with the British architectural firm FAT – Future Architecture Thinking to restore the building, maintaining its classical features such as intricate stucco, hand-painted arabesque ceilings, and azulejos. The hotel boasts 25 renovated rooms and suites, including a former ballroom, a stunning stairway, and a 1,400 sq m garden adorned with wisteria and bougainvillea. An Indian runner duck motif throughout the hotel nods to the Curleys' past in ecological farming in Mallorca, while the establishment also includes a pool and a serene ambiance, a stark contrast to its former party-centric history.