Tarabel Lisbon Opens in Lapa - Like walking into a painting
• Rose Fournier launches her Lisbon hotel – Tarabel Lisbon following the success of her Marrakech luxury hotel
• A secluded jewel in the heart of Europe’s sunniest capital city opens January 2025
• Located in a 19th-century mansion, with nine individually designed suites by renowned interior decorator Rose Fournier
• Exquisitely designed garden with private pool, alfresco dining and front-row seats over the River Tejo
When you first enter Tarabel Lisbon, it’s like walking into a painting. The hotel has been designed by renowned interior designer Rose Fournier so every corner of the property enhances the city’s famous natural light. Uninterrupted views from the sitting room across Lisbon’s vast River Tejo 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.
Of course a new luxury boutique hotel in a unique Lisbon address is always an event. But Rose’s hotels are more like staying in a private home. 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 launches in January 2025 and is the second hotel in the privately owned Tarabel collection. The all-white mansion house has just nine suites, a private pool, alfresco dining and a veranda with front-row seats over the river. Rooms are individually and beautifully decorated, showcasing Rose’s collecting passions.
The hotel exudes discreet luxury. 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.
Many of the suites have balconies or terraces which allow you to feel like you are starring in your own private Noel Coward play.
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 – Lapa – for her second boutique hotel – Tarabel Lisbon. Central yet wonderfully secluded, Lapa crowns one of the city’s highest hills, with views over Lisbon’s vast River Tejo. 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.
Each suite features a queen-sized bed, separate lounge area, bathrooms with both standalone baths and separate dual showers, and most have outdoor space with views of the river.
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) at the hotel showcase this magical city in a new light.
The restaurant will 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. From 2025 the restaurant will open for lunch to everyone but breakfast and dinner will remain exclusively for hotel guests.
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.
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.
Lisbon is now a year-round destination connected to 132 cities globally, attracting tourists from around the world often staying around selected busy areas 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 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).
