Background
Part of Tivoli Hotels and Resorts, the hotel opened in 2001 in Lisbon’s Parque das Nacoes district. Originally a battered manufacturing site on the outskirts of the Portuguese capital, the area underwent massive redevelopment in preparation for the Expo ’98, which saw the government invest in a number of new projects such as a connecting bridge to Spain, the MEO Arena (one of the largest in Europe), the Portuguese National Pavilion and an enormous aquarium.
In 2016, the Portuguese hotel group was bought by Minor Hotels as part of the latter’s plans to expand into Europe and Brazil – Tivoli has 12 properties in Portugal and two in Brazil. Meanwhile, Minor is forging ahead with new openings in the Middle East and Africa, while in Portugal, Tivoli has given a fresh lick of paint to its capital city properties: Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa is set to reopen in April with 286 rooms, a new rooftop bar and refreshed public spaces and Tivoli Oriente has recently overhauled some 190 of its 279 rooms. The rest will follow within the next year.
WHAT’S IT LIKE
Arriving at Lisbon International airport just before midnight, we were met by a driver arranged for us by the hotel. After being offered bottles of water, he told us that the airport was just a ten-minute drive from the hotel – welcome news after being wedged in a middle seat for four hours.
The hotel is on the corner of two main boulevards that lead to the city centre, and across the street from Tivoli metro station. Concierge helped us with our luggage and led me to check-in, which was quick at the time of night.
The lobby is quite dated in its décor, with contrasting light and dark brown fabrics on the rugs and armchairs and a central sofa that wraps around a pillar in the centre of the room. From the ceiling, large cylindrical lamps cast a soft glow, though the space is well lit from the large windows that face the main road. Pairs of armchairs with coffee tables are dotted around, while two computers are lodged in the corner, beyond which a slender corridor leads onto the hotel’s “Hippopotamus” restaurant.
ROOM FACILITIES
I stayed in one of the newly refurbished Superior rooms (floors two to 11) offering an “avenue view”, which measure between 18 and 20 sqm and are decorated in shades of pale grey and cream with a teal and powder pink leather-cushioned feature wall behind the bed. The design of the room felt clean and modern compared with the lobby, with a large circular mirror against the wall and a turquoise armchair and coffee table next to the window, which opened mechanically at the flick of a switch. Room facilities include a LCD Samsung TV, mini bar, Nespresso coffee machine and a smallish desk with several drawers underneath. The same teal palette featured in the bathroom, alongside a large rain shower, vanity mirror, a mounted hair dryer and Tivoli-branded toiletries.
The top floors have yet to be renovated, but there isn’t a huge difference in the design – instead of teal as the base colour, red has been used, and the bathrooms are smaller with baths instead of the new, larger showers.
RESTAURANTS
On the ground floor, breakfast is served in the Hippopotamus restaurant, offering cold plates of deli meats, cheeses and pastries and a hot Continental buffet. We had dinner in the restaurant as well, where I had a juicy T-bone steak with fries and a densely rich chocolate fondant for dessert.
On the first floor, the Tivoli Caffe Oriente offers a relaxed, open lounge with clusters of armchairs and tables, providing cosy nooks for meetings. There is also a private board-room within the lounge which can be booked out. Here, the decor is also a little old-fashioned but guests seemed unfazed by this, with many enjoying pastries and coffees ordered from a small bar.
BUSINESS FACILITIES
One of the hotel’s USPs is its conference space, of which it boasts 1,200 sqm. This includes 12 meeting rooms ranging between 20 sqm and 348 sqm, the largest of which can hold up to 550 for a cocktail reception. A business centre is also available for attendees.
LEISURE FACILITIES
On the 16th floor, a private event space is being converted into a rooftop bar, due to open this May. There is also a good-sized gym, a heated indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
VERDICT
Though the hotel is dated in parts, the rooms are comfortable and spacious, featuring vibrant colours and modern design accents. A good option if you’re looking for plenty of event space and proximity to the airport, though a little far out from the city centre for a leisure stay.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in April started from €270(£235) for a Superior room with breakfast.
CONTACT Tivoli Oriente, No. 27 Avenida Dom Joao II, Parque das Nacoes, Lisbon; minorhotels.com/en/tivoli/tivoli-oriente
