“Lisbon’s prettiest boutique hotel” Welcome to Tarabel Lisbon
• Tarabel Lisbon is a new secluded luxury hotel in the heart of Europe’s sunniest capital city
• Located in a 19th-century mansion in the Lapa neighbourhood, with nine individually designed suites by renowned interior decorator Rose Fournier
When you first enter Tarabel Lisbon, it’s like walking into a painting. It has been described as “Lisbon’s prettiest boutique hotel” and for good reason. With just nine individually designed bedrooms and suites, a restaurant, a living room and a garden with heated swimming pool; the hotel’s uninterrupted views across Lisbon’s vast River Tejo just add to make this a truly unique property.
The location of Tarabel Lisbon is also unique. It isn’t easy to open a hotel in the Lapa neighbourhood. This is Lisbon’s chicest and most tranquil neighbourhood. Central yet wonderfully secluded, Lapa crowns one of the city’s highest hills, with views over the river. The area hasn’t seen mass tourism dominate in any way, so remains completely authentic. This is Lisbon’s most prestigious neighbourhood, yet visitors can walk everywhere from here, including to the Jardim da Estrela park and down to the riverfront.
Tarabel Lisbon has been designed by renowned interior designer Rose Fournier so every corner of the property enhances the city’s famous natural light. Uninterrupted views allow you to watch the changing life of the river, which flows through the heart of the city.
As soon as she saw this mesmerising vista – which hits the heart as well as the eyes – Rose knew that the 19th-century mansion would make a wonderful hotel. From daybreak to sunset, that light celebrated by poets, interacts with the reflections on the river, and the golden hour offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the garden, with its white and yellow parasols, aquamarine pool and blazing jacaranda tree.
Staying at Tarabel Lisbon is like staying in a private home. Rose Fournier has mastered the art of discreet luxury hospitality. She “curates” her interiors, juxtaposing fine furniture and antiques with witty flea market finds. Every teacup, every cushion, every mirror has been chosen with exquisite care. The service is made up of small acts of warmth, from a glass of perfectly squeezed orange juice to the turn-down of the sheets (so you can fantasise that you are staying in your own private residence).
Tarabel Lisbon launched late 2025 and is the second hotel in the privately owned Tarabel collection. The all-white mansion exudes discreet luxury. Many of the suites have balconies or terraces with front row river views. Details include four-poster beds, freestanding baths, botanical prints, vintage glassware, Chinese lanterns and troupe l’oil paintings (one room has a painted library, another features a giant birdcage). The sense of peace and tranquility is felt everywhere around this grand house. Bespoke seating areas are designed so you feel like you are the only visitor. Guests can unwind with a book in the sitting room on one of the sofas or vintage chairs, or enjoy a glass of champagne or Port wine.
So often public areas in hotels can be blank, empty spaces. But walking around Tarabel Lisbon is like a magical journey of discovery. You move from floor to floor, exclaiming at new treasures. Vitrines in the stairwells function as “cabinets of curiosities”, displaying gems that Rose has picked up on her travels – precious shells and feathers, vintage suitcases, straw hats, travelling paint sets. Throughout the mansion, there is a playful nautical theme – with sculptural model ships and elegant galleons. In the entrance lobby stands a huge wooden birdcage; then if you ascend to the top floor, you’ll find the beautiful trompe l’oil birdcage on the wall. Every detail feels meant.
The first luxury hotel Rose designed in Marrakech – Riad Tarabel, is an elegant oasis in a French colonial-style mansion, blending French and Arabic styles. It is described in the Louis Vuitton Marrakech guide as “one of the medina’s most closely guarded secrets”, both intimate and romantic. With only 10 rooms, it’s like having your own luxury home in Marrakech.
And now Rose has chosen Lisbon’s chicest and most tranquil neighbourhood. Rose Fournier has interior designed every aspect of Tarabel Lisbon. Fabrics are by Pierre Frey, a company founded in Paris in 1935; the Designers Guild and Brunschwig. Furniture has been sourced by Rose and is a combination of custom-made pieces and leading brands, Honoré and Miral. Rose has also designed and created selected pieces of furniture.
Tarabel Lisbon is located in a 19th-century mansion which has been meticulously restored and completely updated. A private garden for hotel guests only, features a swimming pool (Rose knew instinctively the tiles should be green to complement the landscaping!) and guests can dine alfresco, overlooking the exotic jacaranda trees, which come into full bloom in spring with deep purple flowers and honeyed scent. The gardens offer a totally tranquil environment with front-row river seats (there’s no sound pollution, as no cars or roads are visible). Much like the country itself, time at Tarabel Lisbon moves at its own pace.
Rose is a passionate collector with a brilliant magpie eye. But in homage to Lisbon’s heritage, she has also commissioned local artists and designers to create interventions that celebrate the history of the building. Portuguese azulejos – colourful glazed ceramic tiles – are one of the country’s signature sights. Introduced by the Moors in the 13th Century, the famous white-and-blue azulejos are hard to miss when walking around any city or town in Portugal. And in Lisbon you can admire the greatest variety of beautiful panels adorning the facades of churches and gardens as well as private homes. Tilework is Portugal’s national art, and each architectural style tells a different story.
In that spirit, Tarabel Lisbon has commissioned its own private azulejo designed by Gonçalo Jordão of After Wall and textile designer Thierry Larcher with Rose Fournier’s input. The azulejo (ceramic tiles) design located in the gardens at the hotel showcase this magical city in a new light. This is a totally bespoke design.
The restaurant is open daily to guests offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with a contemporary Portuguese and Mediterranean menu created by chef Afonso Blazquez Raposo. Dishes include Lime cured scallops, roasted gaspacho and freeze-dried raspberries; Tuna tartare, tomato consommé with basil oil, sesame; and Portuguese beef tartare, smoked ketchup and brioche maison. No wonder Afonso’s motto is: “Cooking is an act of love.”
The beautiful, whimsical table settings have been created by Rose who is also the author of Creative Tables (published by Assouline Publishing). The book can be read at the hotel.
Laurent Bocca, Tarabel’s managing director manages a team of industry professionals in both Lisbon and Marrakech, including Swiss assistant manager Arnaud Jeannot who is based at the new hotel.
The imposing Basilica da Estrela is a famous local landmark, and the hotel is close to the neoclassical Assembleia da República (Portugal’s parliament). Set in a lemon-fronted, 17th century palace, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga presents a world-class collection of European and Asian paintings and decorative arts. And one of Lisbon’s leading galleries and museums, the Gulbenkian Foundation, has just relaunched CAM – Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian – following a redesign including the exterior and part of the gardens by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The new extension features a 100-metre long sweeping canopy, composed from ceramic tiles made in Portugal. Since June 2016, the gates to the Official Residence of the Prime Minister’s Garden have been open to the public every Sunday between 10am and 5pm. Entry is free. A true oasis of peace and tranquillity in the centre of Lisbon, covering two hectares, the garden of São Bento Palace is one of the Portuguese capital’s best kept secrets.
Lisbon has long been a captivating destination, with its vibrant architecture, stunning landscapes, and warm weather. Continental Europe’s most westernmost capital city, also happens to be Europe’s sunniest capital.
Today Lisbon is busier than ever but the Lapa neighbourhood has retained its charm and character, largely due to its residential population and lack of construction work seen across the city. It remains historic and typically Portuguese. This is what visitors come to Lisbon searching for – and Tarabel Lisbon has been designed to showcase Portugal’s capital at its very memorable best.
Rua Sacramento à Lapa 15 1200-604 Lisboa, Portugal
B&B is priced from €500 per room per night
Lisbon is connected to various airports across the UK and Ireland including: London Heathrow (TAP Air Portugal, BA), London Gatwick (TAP Air Portugal, easyJet), London Stansted (Ryanair), London Luton (easyJet), Manchester (TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, Ryanair), Birmingham (easyJet, Ryanair), Bristol (easyJet, Ryanair), Edinburgh (easyJet, Ryanair), Glasgow (easyJet) and Dublin (TAP Air Portugal, Aer Lingus, Ryanair).
