Bastir's design is a major reason for staying in what must now be arguably the city's most stylish hotel. The look throughout the Valverde is sophisticated eclecticism, with boldly coloured walls, Portuguese artworks and Moorish touches such as sliding screens and mosaics.

The 25 rooms (including junior suites and two large suites built in to the eaves on the 6th floor and with great views of the city rooftops and castle) are similarly stylish, with the emphasis on elegant mid-century furniture and geometric patterned rugs.

The hotel's Sitio Restaurant/Bar serves brasserie-style modern Portuguese cuisine and evening drinks in a lovely high-ceilinged room that overlooks another of the hotel's highlights, the Pateo courtyard garden, complete with heated pool and five o'clock tea service. Pateo is also a lovely place to relax after wandering around the city, or for an early evening cocktail (order the hotel's signature cocktail, Valverde Spirit - a blend of gin, basil, cardamom seeds, lime juice, sugar syrup and ginger beer) before heading out to sample Lisbon's renewed and renowned nightlife. The morning after the night before, you can even settle in for a movie in the Valverde's small cinema.