Whether you are planning a family gathering, a conference, a top board meeting or an over-the-top employee incentive, Palácio Belmonte combines elegance, old-world fascination and simple luxury in one of the world’s most exciting cities – Lisbon. It is the perfect scene for an unforgettable experience.
Palácio Belmonte enchants guests with its relaxed elegance, attentive hospitality and stately architecture. The Belmonte is about light, privacy and beautiful landscapes. The luxurious house has ten suites set across 3,700sq m, seven terraces, books, art, grand fireplaces, a piano, infinity pool, and a very discreet, attentive and imaginative team to give you only the best.
Exclusive use
All of this can be rented for the exclusive use of your party, for top-end meetings. Rental includes a luxury car with chauffeur, a butler, a chef, and breakfast. The entirety of the Palácio Belmonte provides the perfect environment for Board of Directors’ annual meetings, fashion shows, product launches, gala dinners, and more.
Each of Palácio Belmonte’s 10 exquisite suites is an original masterpiece with individual character, blending historic architectural features with the utmost comfort in contemporary design. Visitors are immersed in culture – within the suites, guests discover the remnants of Roman and Moorish towers, and distinctive, blue and white eighteenth-century tiles (azulejos) recalling stories of adventure and romance.
Each suite is named for a Portuguese writer, artist, philosopher, adventurer, inventor or ecologist. Many have beautiful terraces or verandas overlooking the River Tagus, the inviting city of old Lisbon, or the palace’s striking infinity pool. Suites range in size from 29sq m to more than 162sq m.
Palácio Belmonte is Lisbon’s most acclaimed address, where the world’s elites come to experience the essence of Portugal. Surrounded by winding, cobblestone streets, Palácio Belmonte sits atop one of the city’s seven hills, adjacent to the picturesque Castelo de São Jorge. Here, history and modern luxury blend seamlessly to create an aura of peace and exclusivity, where thoughtful service assures a gracious experience, reminiscent of Portugal’s storied past.
Rich history
The palace was the residence of the Marques d’Atalaia, Alvares Cabral and the Earls of Belmonte for over 500 years. It all started in 1449, when the first part of the palace was built on top of the ancient fortified Roman and Moorish walls by aggregating three towers, making it one of Lisbon’s most ancient sites. In 1640, the addition of the majestic east terrace and five classical-style facades enlarged the building.
In 1720, the family commissioned two Portuguese master tilemakers, Manuel Santos and Valentim de Almeida, to create a unique collection of azulejos. The 59 panels, consisting of more than 30,000 tiles, can be found throughout the Palace, and are one of its most impressive features. Part of the Palace was officially classified as a National Monument in 1910 and as a site of National Interest in 1997.
When French Frederic Coustols bought Palacio Belmonte in 1994, he committed to an ambitious restoration that would bring the storied building back to its original grandeur. It was vital that the oldest elements of the building were perfectly preserved.
After an investment of €26m and six years, the objective was realised, with stunning results. To ensure the project was architecturally authentic, fifteenth and seventeenth-century construction methods were used, incorporating original building and finishing materials that included the finest Portuguese marble, old wooden doors and metalwork.
Exquisite restoration
Many reminders of the past have been lovingly brought back to life. In one hallway, guests find the only piece of furniture that was found in the palace – a nineteenth-century bathtub restored to its original dark blue and fuchsia painted designs. However, the Palace was also updated with modern comforts and conveniences, to better accommodate the lifestyle and expectations of today’s sophisticated travellers.
Even the garden was brought back from ruin, recreating the lush and tranquil environment that had graced the Palace grounds for centuries. It was totally redesigned and planted according to organic principles with many indigenous species of plants, fruits, and flowers. Today, guests can walk in the footsteps of historic figures, strolling the verdant grounds and experiencing a peaceful intimacy with nature in this beautiful little oasis.
In October 2000, the Palacio Belmonte received an Award for Urban Regeneration from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), presented to the Belmonte by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales. The Palacio Belmonte is the foremost example of responsible ecological and environmental management of its type in Portugal. Here, guests will find the comfort of the modern days in tune with Portuguese history, art, and culture in an ambience of total discretion, privacy and ecology.
In addition to this rich history and the 10 sumptuous suites, the palace offers private terraces, breathtaking views over Lisbon and the river, a library with a collection of 4,000 books, a stunning black marble pool, and on-demand catering by Michelin Chef José Avillez. Guests can also request a barber, international newspapers, laundry service, in-suite massages, yoga instruction and private yachts. No luxurious detail is overlooked.
