Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In bed

The ultimate hotels for the discerning traveller who wants a truly special place to sleep in style

Heritage Av Liberdade

LISBON
28 Avenida da Liberdade, Portugal, , www.heritage.pt

In a city that seems to be full of cutting-edge takes on modern hostelry, the Heritage Av Liberdade has the luxury boutique hotel experience down to a very refined T. A welcoming sense of civilised calm is the first and lasting impression, backed up by an understated designer chic throughout – from the comfortable armchair lounge at lobby level through the well-stocked mezzanine library and on up to the beautifully finished rooms.

No hordes of waiters buzzing around here, rather a reduced and personally attentive staff who seem blessed with an intuitive sense of when you might need them, appearing unbidden and Jeeves-like at your elbow, ready with the answer to the question you were just about to ask. The accommodation is about as perfect as you could wish. Spacious, well-proportioned rooms, polished dark-wood floors, ostrich-skin headboards and a complimentary bottle of excellent Muscat flanked by two green apples await you.

Right on the city’s main thoroughfare, the hotel is within striking distance of Lisbon’s best – the downtown shopping and restaurant district is around the corner, the funicular to the Bairro Alto is across the street and the business district is a cab ride away. An address not to be missed. From €225 for a standard room. JKMG

Hotel Pulitzer Roma

ROME
Viale Guglielmo Marconi 905, 00146, Italy, , www.hotelpulitzer.it

After a stressful taxi journey through Rome, the lobby of the Hotel Pulitzer is a place of calm and charm, with sophisticated Italian style and a distinctly modern touch. Elegant furnishings and artwork complement the neutral colours, offset by dark wood flooring. In the VISIT Bar, squat Balinese tables are surrounded by plump, low-slung modern sofas and the back walls are filled with bookshelves – a reference to the hotel’s literary associations. White leather is used with decadent abundance and much of the artwork follows the minimalist aesthetic of the Gio Ponti school – bold circular and geometric patterns decorate the walls here and in the guest rooms.

Service is provided with pride and a smile, giving the hotel a personable feel that belies its 83 rooms. It also has a small gym overlooking the rear courtyard and the basement VISIT restaurant. The breakfast served here is a treat. The hotel’s suburban location in edgy Ostiense is far from central, but still only a 10-minute metro ride from the Coliseum. This being Rome, rooms are on the compact side, and the rather busy street leaves the guest room balconies somewhat redundant. Light sleepers would be advised to ask for a room at the back. From €110 for a standard room. GD

In the know

Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Newcastle

Opened last October, the latest Hotel du Vin overlooks the River Tyne in an up-and-coming area of Newcastle known as Lower Ouseburn. Visitors are greeted by a glistening chandelier of champagne glasses before heading into the Bistro where dark wooden tables sit against the warmly coloured wallls. The Dom Perignon master suite is in the loft, with half-length windows casting gentle light over the vast 2.4m and twin baths. Next month, for Valentine’s Day, the hotel is offering B&B rates, including a bottle of HDV champagne, from £220/€251 per night. www.hotelduvin.com

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