The Castelo apartment is a one bedroom apartment in an 18th century building, located near the top of the hill in the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon. (Archeological findings point to human civilization as early as 6th century BC.) A few steps away from the apartment is Castelo Sao Jorge, a castle remains and citadel, which was built in medieval times, and changed hands between the Moorish kings from the south and the Christian conquerors from the north. The castle, its terrace and walls are nestled on the highest point of the hill, affording a 360 degree view of Lisbon, the magnificent river Tagus and its ports, and the other 6 hills undulating across the city.
A few steps away from the apartment, in the opposite direction, are the remains of a theater built for the Roman emperor Nero, and down the hill to the right is the majestic main cathedral Se, built in 1050. The cathedral’s tower can be seen from the balcony of the apartment, along with a partial view of the river.
Before the current apartment building was erected, the location housed a palacetta (small palace) for the queen. (Its close proximity allowed the king and queen to meet when they wished, and to be apart when they needed.) The 75m2 (800ft2) apartment has a double bed and a sleeper sofa to accommodate 4 people total. It is filled with natural light, coming through 3 double glass windows and 2 double glass doors leading to the balconies. Handsome Portuguese style wooden shutters adorn each window and door, serving as insulation against light, heat/cold and sound. The Castelo apartment was completely renovated in 2007 for modern living, including such amenities as exterior security camera viewable from the foyer, central audio system with speakers in all rooms, hydro message shower cabin, and marble bathroom and kitchen. Yet, it still maintains traditional Portuguese style with distinctive wood patterns on ceilings, window shutters, doors and frames. Located on the first floor (US: second floor), the apartment is accessible by either stairs or elevator.
The apartment comes with the following amenities:
The kitchen and bathroom have granite countertops and marble walls. All the appliances in the kitchen are hidden behind handsome cabinet doors. The bathroom comes with a bidet, a towel warmer rack and a shower cabin with hydromassage feature.
Even though access to this exclusive historical neighborhood is controlled, the apartment is easy to reach by mini bus, tram or taxi. The bus stop is 10m (30ft) from the apartment (frequency: 15 minutes), and the whimsical tram station is a 2 minute walk. Access to other neighborhoods by foot is quick: Baixa (at the bottom of the hill) in 5-10 minutes, Chiado in 15 minutes, and a major subway station in 10-15 minutes. (A guide to finding short cuts for walking is offered in the welcome book.) Car rental is absolutely not needed in Lisbon, although a private garage is located in the basement. The international airport is approximately 15 minutes away by taxi (12 to 20 euros).
During the day, the castle is a popular attraction. At sunset, the neighborhood reverts to a peaceful tranquility, brimming with historical elegance, perfect for romantic strolls on narrow winding cobblestone streets, even at 2am. (Some guests have recommended turning off all the lights in the apartment at night, and opening all the shutters, to bathe in the amber glow from the street lamps, the sparkling lights from the rustic buildings, and the silvery gleam of the moon). Enjoy relaxed dinners at nearby family run restaurants, and drinks at hilltop cafes overlooking the city and its sparkling lights. Or visit Resto do Chapito, down the block, a restaurant, cafe and bar, with a terrace famed for its spectacular view of the city and the river.
The Castelo apartment is the perfect place to stay for romantic getaways, adventurous travels, or simply a unique sojourn.
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