Arrival/Check-In: The hotel is situated in the center of the city with expansive views from atop one of the seven hills. I want to make a point to say the grand centerpiece in the middle of the lobby was simply breathtaking, donned with hanging orchids and exotic flowers. It mesmerized me, and I caught myself staring at it for a few minutes before heading to my room.

Guest Quarters: A quick elevator ride brought me up to my floor. As I walked in the room, the luxurious and calming aromas took over, and I took a quick look around to get situated. As I pulled the curtains open, I appreciated the bird’s-eye view from the enormous windows. I left the curtains open until dark to take it all in. Nothing blocked my view, so I didn’t worry about anyone looking into my room.

Outlets near the kingsized bed made it extremely convenient to stay in bed and work while being plugged into multiple platforms — laptop, iPad and two cellphones.

Services/Amenities: Everything was top-quality as one would expect from a 5-star hotel, with soft terry robes, slippers and quality amenities (L’Occitane, one of my favorites). One thing I regret is not requesting a humidifier; the hotel supplies humidifiers and air ionizers upon request. I often find myself sniffling because of frequent travel schedules, and it would have been nice to reduce some discomfort.

I enjoyed a Portuguese treatment in the beautiful spa downstairs. My body scrub (with only Portuguese ingredients) was delightful, but my massage was something else. I caught myself dozing off at least four times during the session. Thank you for the complete bliss!

The Experience: The customer service we have come to love and expect from Four Seasons appeared days before I even checked in. Here is why Four Seasons continues to be one of the best in hospitality: I arrived in Lisbon a few days earlier. Most streets are cobblestone, and it’s not the best idea to wear high heels if you anticipate long periods of walking around. I realized one heel was making more clicking noise than the other and noticed the heel pad had completely fallen off and I was wearing down the actual heel. All I had to do was ask my contact at the hotel, Vasco, if a cobbler was on site. It was taken care of — with same-day delivery. Also before check-in, Vasco informed me the hotel set me up for a sightseeing tour of the city. How thoughtful and proactive! Although all tours were canceled due to rain the scheduled day, I’ll remember the gesture when I talk about my Lisbon travels. I look forward to coming back many times in the future.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88
1099-039 Lisbon
Portugal
tel 351 21 381 1400
fourseasons.com