Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly, they had a Rear Window, what they needed was The Lobby; the passing of perfect strangers dressed in exquisite manners and gentle airs, gliding to and fro on a calming breeze in summer heat.

Lisbon’s Four Seasons, Ritz, is the matinee idol of hotels. It teases with possibility, characters shaped, poised by Chanel, and coloured by the influence of Picasso. It is the kindness of the concierge, the sensibility of the waiter, the calm of the doorman which bring the reassurance of home. As Henri Poudensan, the Ritz’ Marketing Director remarked: “There is Five Star, and, there is five star…”  

Situated atop one of Lisbon’s seven hills, the hotel’s striking vistas over Eduardo VII Park, St George’s Moorish Castle and the Tagus River provide a dramatic introduction to the diverse personality of the city outside. Inside the elegant 10-storeyed building, spacious interiors house 18th Century replica furnishings and an outstanding collection of contemporary Portuguese tapestries; paintings and sculpture.

The 282 rooms – 272 of which have private balconies – showcase views of the old city and Eduardo VII Park. All benefit from recent renovations and marble bathrooms in an array of striking colours. Several of the rooms feature an alternative, interesting mix of styles, from the five authentic suites complete with 18th-century replicas by the Espírito Santo Foundation to the ten Four Seasons rooms with original features furnished in an imperial style. 

The Presidential Suite, with its intricate frescos, marble-floored dining area, and separate kitchen boasts 270 degree views of the best the city has to offer from its four living room balconies. Floor Managers further enhance the standards on each guest level, co-ordinating service staff as well as providing an additional concierge resource.  

With 16 function rooms totalling 1,838 square metres (19,784 square feet), the hotel’s business and conference area can accommodate up to 500 conference delegates at one time. The intricately planned meeting and function space is split into three distinct yet easily accessed areas, at the focal point of which is the hugely impressive 4,908 square-foot ballroom; host to many of the city’s important social events.

The expansive spa area contains an indoor lap pool, a poolside lounge area and separate men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas. A series of specially designed treatment rooms provides a huge variety of pampering massage and wellness treatments as well as relaxation areas and spacious changing facilities, designed with privacy in mind. The Spa is linked by a lift to a fully refurbished 700 square meters fitness centre - including a 400 metre open air running track - situated at the very top of the building where workouts are inspired by the incredible panorama of Lisbon’s low-rise rooftops.

Serving refined Portuguese cuisine, the hotel’s 80-seater Varanda Restaurant is well known throughout the city’s business community for its buffet lunches. While pushing easily at the expensive end of the menu, it’s worth considering that if you lunch at the Varanda, it’s probably not the food that you’re paying for the privilege of. Lisbon’s elite are said to spend more time crossing tables at the Four Seasons, than seated at their own plate.

The hotel’s animated public areas are equally favoured by the city’s most notable residents who visit to browse the specialist boutiques featuring porcelain, antiques, jewellery and confectionary. Others come to experience the expansive tranquillity of the Almada Negreiros Lounge or to sip a cocktail accompanied by the resident pianist in the Ritz Bar. 

We were so impressed by the heritage and art collection of the Ritz, Four Seasons, that European Business Express has begun a special feature to showcase the more subtle features of this hotel masterpiece. Most guests will never appreciate that the Ritz is continually being refurbished with a care that will ensure a new golden age.

Today, notable hotels tend to be classified as contemporary, retro (especially in New York), rustic, or classical. The Ritz, Four Seasons, is none of these. It is becoming a luxury residence, a second home, inherited from a profoundly glamorous and sensitive generation, maintained by a proud daughter, and welcoming to those who chose Lisbon for business and leisure. I doubt the Four Seasons will give guests guided tours of this extraordinary living museum, but they should, it is more satisfying to hear and see its history than many V&A exhibitions in London – but you never know, there is Five Star, and, there is five star…

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