Mixing timeless elegance with bold design, the Art Legacy Hotel is downtown Lisbon’s most vibrant luxury hotel

By: Alexandra Stilwell

A modern classic: Discretely concealed behind a classic façade, a new vibrant hotel is making its mark in the heart of the capital’s bustling Baixa neighbourhood

Discretely concealed behind a classic façade, a new vibrant hotel is making its mark in the heart of the capital’s bustling Baixa neighbourhood.

The newly opened Art Legacy Hotel is a unique project conceptualised by architect Luís Rebelo de Andrade, for which he worked exclusively with Dutch design brand Moooi.

This exceptional creative combination resulted in an incredible mix of classic elegance and contemporary design in explosive colours.

The new five-star hotel takes up residence at numbers 175 to 181 on Rua do Ouro, a well-known street in Lisbon that was once the centre of the city’s goldsmith trade.

Home to the Sagres Insurance Company one hundred years ago, today, the prestigious address has been given a thorough facelift to host the Art Legacy Hotel, which opened its doors last October to “pay homage to the historical and architectural legacy of the Baixa Pombalina while focusing on the power of decorative art by creating bold interiors”, say its creators.

Called upon to breathe new life into the building, Luís Rebelo de Andrade quickly concluded that if, on the one hand, the façade was to be maintained in its classical, almost Parisian style, on the other, the interiors would have to be the opposite: surprising and bold. To achieve this, he chose to work with Moooi, a Dutch brand renowned for its vibrant colours and exotic patterns.

The Portuguese architect constructed an enchanting universe inside the iconic building that captures his vision of the daring brand. With its elaborate wallpaper and bold colour choices, the hotel is a visual feast with distinctive design touches on every floor, including larger-than-life prints of shiny insects, chandeliers inspired by plants, and playful lamps shaped like animals.

“This is the only hotel in the world fully decorated with Moooi pieces, a brand that offers everything the hotel could need, including the restaurant, where the kitchen is an extension of the dining room,” explains the architect, who opted for vibrant colours in the rooms and corridors “to ensure that staying at the Art Legacy is a truly exceptional experience”.

Each floor is defined by its own colour block, and even though they share a cohesive aesthetic, the 53 rooms – seven of which are suites – showcase their own distinct styles.

Guests can enjoy Bulgari amenities, bed linens and towels sourced from renowned Portuguese brand Sampedro, a Smeg kettle, Marshall speakers, and other lavish surprises in every room, where every detail has been carefully thought out.

In an exclusive collaboration with Valadares, the architect even created the bathroom ceramics to perfectly align with the chosen chromatic tone of every room.

With prices ranging from €250 for a double to €460 for a suite, guests can choose from Art Cozy Rooms (with less light but many fun elements), Art Essential Rooms, Art Charming Rooms (facing Rua do Ouro), and Art Balcony Rooms.

As for the suites, there are two Legacy Corners, two Legacy Terrace Juniors, two Legacy Masters and the Art Legacy Royal.

ÁUREA

Offering a glimpse into the multicoloured world of the Art Legacy is the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Áurea.

Chef Pedro Mendes’ signature restaurant, located on the hotel’s ground floor, features an equally exotic setting with warm tones of dark green and crimson red and is open to both hotel guests and the general public from breakfast to dinner.

Chef Pedro Mendes,

At Áurea, the chef utilises his years of experience in Portugal and abroad to curate a menu that beautifully blends local and global influences. From a hearty Croque Madame for breakfast to a sophisticated tasting experience for dinner, his dishes reflect his worldly culinary knowledge.

Áurea Restaurant

Catering to different cravings throughout the day, the chef offers various menus. For lunch, there is a three-course executive menu (€24). In the afternoon, sweet and salty options range from five o’clock tea to a “caviar moment” (€120) and snacks such as Crispy Seaweed Snack (€3.50) from the Algarve, Pork Pâté and Acorn (€5) from the Alentejo, and the creative Codfish Pastel (€4) from Lisbon highlighting the chef’s national experience, all of which can be accompanied by a cocktail or glass of wine.

Arroz Doce e Amêndoa Amarga - Art Legacy Hotel, Lisbon

For dinner, options include three tasting menus: a three-course vegetarian menu (€75), a five-course menu (€85), and a seven-course menu (€120), plus pairing. Influenced by the Portuguese coast’s rich bounty, these showcase products from the sea, such as oysters and seaweed, two of the chef’s favourite ingredients.

Although the menus change with the seasons, diners can expect to find some of the chef’s staples, such as Seaweed “Braz” & Scallops (€18), made with his beloved seaweed; Alcântara Convent Guinea Fowl with Foie Gras & Truffle (€34); and Cod Loin, “Sames”, Tongues & Chickpeas (€26), a tribute to the nearby Rua dos Bacalhoeiros (codfish merchants street). And for dessert, Lisbon-style “mille-feuille” custard tart (€9.50) or Sweet Rice Pudding & Bitter Almond Liqueur (€11).

“Áurea is a signature restaurant marked by my experiences, where my go-to ingredients – such as seaweed and acorns – trace a common thread through the gastronomic traditions of Lisbon,” explains chef Pedro Mendes, who also offers guests the opportunity to dine at his “chef’s table”, for a more intimate and tailored experience.