The Ivens Hotel, Autograph Collection

The Ivens Hotel, Autograph Collection: A Deep Dive into Lisbon's Michelin Key Selected Gem

The Ivens Hotel, Autograph Collection, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the heart of Lisbon's vibrant Chiado district, consistently garners exceptional reviews for its captivating design, prime location, and outstanding service. Housed in a beautifully re-purposed 19th-century building that was once a luxury warehouse and a public radio station, the hotel offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary luxury, drawing inspiration from Portuguese explorers Roberto Ivens and Hermenegildo Capelo.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with average ratings frequently exceeding 9 out of 10 on various platforms. Agoda.com shows an average rating of 9.4, with cleanliness highlighted as a primary strength at a perfect 10.0. Marriott Bonvoy reviews indicate an overall average of 4.7 out of 5, with high scores across cleanliness (4.9), location (4.9), and service (4.8). Guests frequently describe their stays as "exceptional," "amazing," and "outstanding," often praising it as one of the best hotels they've experienced.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of The Ivens:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel boasts a "playfully stylish, understatedly luxe boutique" design. Public areas, designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violan, feature a maximalist philosophy with warm woods, velvet armchairs, rattan, marble, and unique touches like elephant wall hangings and floral-print stools, creating a "staggeringly cool, well-curated vibe." The explorer theme is woven throughout, referring to guests as "Explorers" and incorporating tropical prints and historical references. The bar, Rocco restaurant, and even the basement bathrooms are frequently cited as visually stunning.
• Service: The service is consistently described as "unparalleled," "top-notch," "gracious," "helpful," and "attentive." Staff members like Monica and Angelo at the front desk are specifically commended for their amazing and friendly demeanor. Guests appreciate proactive assistance, such as staff helping with luggage and alerting them to waiting tour guides.
• Location: The hotel enjoys a "stellar" and "perfect" central location in the elegant Chiado district, making it incredibly convenient for exploring Lisbon on foot. It's situated on a quiet street yet is steps away from theaters, museums, diverse shops, and numerous dining options, including two Michelin-starred restaurants (Alma and Belcanto). Major attractions like the Santa Justa Lift, Rossio Square, and Praça do Comércio are all within walking distance.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a range of excellent amenities, including free WiFi, valet parking, and car hire services. There's a compact but well-equipped fitness center with new equipment. Complimentary minibar items (excluding vodka and champagne) with unlimited refills are a generous perk for Bonvoy Elite members.

3. Room Quality

The Ivens offers "luxurious, comfortable rooms" with a design that contrasts the maximalist public areas with a more minimalist, tranquil, and pure aesthetic. Rooms feature high ceilings, large windows, crisp white linens, subtly layered textures, and modern lighting and outlets. Guests appreciate the quality bedding, luxurious sheets and towels, and Aqua di Parma toiletries. Turndown service is provided nightly, often with a treat or a "Tip of the Day" card. While generally well-appointed, some standard rooms, such as the Capelo Guest Room (22 sqm), are described as "cosy" or "European-small," which can feel "tight on space" for two people, with limited closet space. Upgrades to larger rooms or suites are recommended for more comfort.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel is a "gastronomic haven" featuring multiple dining options:

• Rocco Restaurant: This signature Italian-inspired restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a stunning, intimate, and trendy setting with reddish lighting and an open-style kitchen. Breakfast is a semi-buffet style where guests can choose a main dish in addition to a small buffet. It's widely praised as "amazing" and a "treat," with delicious food. Rocco has been called a "hot spot to eat in Lisbon."
• Crudo Bar: Described as the hotel's "most theatrical spot," this bar specializes in seafood dishes, offering tiered platters of oysters, caviar, crab, prawns, tartare, and ceviche, often paired with champagne.
• Gastro Bar: Located in the lobby, the Gastro Bar features a grand marble bar and offers classic international and Portuguese dishes for a more informal dining experience, along with an exquisite drinks menu and cocktails.

Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and the bar is noted for its cool atmosphere and being a great spot for a drink.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is consistently exceptional. The team is described as "welcoming," "friendly," "gracious," "helpful," "organized," and "caring." Many guests highlight the "unparalleled level of service," including proactive assistance, frequent room servicing (multiple times per day), and thoughtful daily gifts or local delicacies. Front desk staff like Monica and Angelo are specifically mentioned for their attentiveness. The concierge is also highly regarded for their knowledge of Lisbon's secret spots and recommendations.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Ivens boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" location in Lisbon's Chiado district, described as being in the "heart of the city center" and within "walking distance to many tourist attractions." It is conveniently situated on Rua Capelo, a popular neighborhood close to major shopping streets like Rua Augusta, numerous restaurants, theaters, and museums. Public transportation is easily accessible, with the Baixa-Chiado metro station a short walk away. While Lisbon is hilly, guests found the location super convenient for exploring, even if it sometimes involved a downhill walk. The hotel is approximately 8 km from Humberto Delgado Airport.

7. Value & Pricing

The Ivens is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects this, with a typical room rate in the past month averaging around 471.32 EUR, significantly higher than the city's average of 122.55 EUR. Some guests note that the price can be "a little high for its worth" but still consider it a worthwhile experience, especially for those utilizing Marriott Bonvoy points or specific promotions. For example, a five-night stay could cost over 550€ per night in cash, but can be redeemed for around 292,000 Marriott Bonvoy points plus taxes. Despite the cost, many guests feel the exceptional service, stunning design, and prime location justify the expense, with some giving it a 5 out of 5 for value for money. However, some reviews on Marriott Bonvoy show an average value for money rating of 4.4 out of 5, indicating a slight mixed perception on this aspect.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few recurring minor criticisms exist:

• Room Size: The most frequent complaint is about the "European-small" or "tight on space" nature of the standard rooms, which some guests find cramped, especially for longer stays or for two people with significant luggage. The small closet space in some rooms means guests might have to live out of their suitcases.
• Dark Interior: While many appreciate the "luxe-vibe" and unique design, some found the interior, particularly the lobby and Rocco restaurant, to be "too dark" for taking good photographs.
• Rocco Staff: One guest noted that the service in Rocco restaurant was not as polished as the rest of the hotel staff.
• "Juliet Balconies": Some "Juliet balconies" were described as not very useful, essentially being small square spaces leading to a ledge.
• Elevator Size: The hotel has two elevators, one accommodating up to four people and the other only two, which can be a minor inconvenience.
• Uphill Location: While central, the hotel is located along the "hilly slopes of the city," meaning some walking to attractions might involve uphill climbs.

Sources

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