Memmo Principe Real

Memmo Principe Real is a five-star boutique of 41 rooms in Lisbon's Principe Real, and a member of Design Hotels. Its rooftop outdoor pool and panoramic terrace are among the city's most notable, making it a strong pick for design-led couples. Rates start around EUR 260 to 285 in low season.

"A Design Hotels boutique in stylish Principe Real with one of the city's few rooftop pools and panoramic terraces, built for design-led couples."

Aggregate 9.1/10 on our editorial scale (Room & Design, Service, Location). Independently scored; see our methodology. This is our opinion, not an aggregate of user reviews.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from bookings at no cost to you. We never accept payment for placement. Facts verified against official sources and the 2026 Michelin Guide in July 2026.

What makes Memmo Principe Real special?

A rooftop pool sets Memmo Principe Real apart, a rarity among Lisbon hotels and paired with one of the city's most notable rooftop terraces. This 41-room five-star boutique belongs to Design Hotels, and the design credentials show in the details, including in-room Bose speakers and Bang & Olufsen TVs. It sits in Principe Real, a stylish and walkable neighbourhood, which makes it a natural base for travellers who want to explore on foot between time on the terrace. The pool and terrace look out over the city and are reserved for guests, so the headline amenity stays relatively private. Cafe Principe Real, the all-day restaurant and cocktail bar, opens onto a terrace overlooking the pool and the city, extending the rooftop appeal into dining and drinks. The overall feel is contemporary and design-forward rather than grand or palatial, which suits couples and travellers who value style and atmosphere. The honest counterpoint is scale and cost: some rooms are small, extra charges can make the stay feel pricey, and the steep approach street is a real obstacle for anyone with limited mobility. For design-led guests wanting a rooftop pool in a great neighbourhood, it delivers.

Which room should you book?

The hotel offers 41 rooms and suites in a contemporary, design-led style consistent with its Design Hotels membership. Technology is a signature touch, with Bose speakers and Bang & Olufsen TVs in the rooms, reinforcing the property's design credentials. The honest caveat is size: some rooms are small, and their position can expose them to street or terrace noise, so light sleepers and guests wanting generous space should ask about quieter, larger categories when booking. The design focus means rooms feel current and considered rather than traditional, which fits the boutique positioning and the neighbourhood. Because the hotel is compact at 41 keys, the atmosphere stays intimate, but the trade is that not every room matches the same footprint or outlook. Rates begin around EUR 260 to 285 in low season, with prices rising in peak periods, and some guests note extra charges that make the overall stay feel pricier than the headline rate. Choosing a room here is largely about balancing the strong design and technology against the possibility of a compact layout and some noise.

Where should you eat and drink?

Cafe Principe Real is the hotel's all-day restaurant and signature cocktail bar, serving Portuguese, Mediterranean, and international dishes. Its terrace overlooks the pool and the city, so meals and drinks come with the same rooftop outlook that defines the property. The all-day format makes it flexible for breakfast, a casual lunch, or evening cocktails, and the bar is a draw in its own right for guests who want to stay on-site rather than head out. The restaurant does not hold a Michelin star, and it is positioned as a stylish, versatile hotel venue rather than a fine-dining destination, so set expectations toward quality casual dining with a strong setting. The neighbourhood works in its favour: Principe Real and nearby Bairro Alto are full of restaurants and bars within a short walk, so guests are never limited to a single option. For a boutique hotel, having a capable all-day restaurant and cocktail bar with a terrace over the pool is a genuine convenience, especially at the start or end of a day spent exploring Lisbon on foot.

What is the spa and pool like?

The rooftop outdoor pool is the wellness centrepiece, set on a panoramic terrace with city views and reserved for guests. It is one of the few rooftop pools among Lisbon hotels, which is a large part of the property's appeal, and the terrace around it doubles as a place to relax and take in the skyline. There is no full spa, so the offer is focused on the pool and its setting rather than treatment rooms, saunas, or extensive wellness facilities. Guests who plan their trips around spa treatments should budget for those off-site, but those who mainly want a stylish rooftop pool with a view will find the headline amenity delivers. Because the pool is guests-only, it stays relatively private compared with public rooftop bars elsewhere in the city. For a design-led boutique, the combination of rooftop pool and panoramic terrace is a standout, and it is the single feature most likely to justify a booking here.

Where is Memmo Principe Real, and how do you get there?

Memmo Principe Real sits in Principe Real, one of Lisbon's most stylish and walkable neighbourhoods, on Rua Dom Pedro V. Bairro Alto is roughly 5 to 8 minutes away on foot, and Baixa and Praca do Comercio are about 15 minutes downhill. That places the hotel within easy reach of the city's nightlife, shopping, and dining while keeping it in a calmer, more residential quarter than the busiest tourist zones. The neighbourhood itself is a draw, known for independent shops, gardens, and restaurants, so much of what guests want is on the doorstep. The honest caveat is the approach: the street is steep, which makes arrival and departure harder for guests with limited mobility and means the return from the lower districts is uphill. For able walkers, the position is excellent, combining a central location with a distinctive local character. Taxis and ride-hailing help with the gradient and late nights, but travellers who struggle with hills should factor the steep street into their plans before booking this address.

What do guests consistently say?

Guests most often praise the rooftop pool, the terrace views, and the design-led style that runs through the property. The Principe Real location earns repeated mentions for being stylish and walkable, and the in-room technology from Bose and Bang & Olufsen adds to the contemporary feel that draws design-minded travellers. Couples tend to be the core audience, matching the boutique positioning. The recurring complaints are consistent and worth heeding: some rooms are small and can suffer street or terrace noise, and extra charges can make the stay feel pricey relative to the headline rate. The steep approach street also comes up, particularly from guests with limited mobility. Taken together, the feedback describes a hotel that succeeds on atmosphere, design, and its rooftop pool, while asking guests to accept compact rooms, possible noise, and added costs. Those who prioritise style and the rooftop over space and value tend to report the most satisfying stays.

Honest cons: who should skip it?

The main drawbacks are room size, noise, cost, and access. Some rooms are small, and their location can expose them to street or terrace noise, so light sleepers should ask for quieter categories. Extra charges can make the stay feel pricey beyond the headline rate of around EUR 260 to 285 in low season, so guests should check what is included before booking. The approach street is steep, which is a genuine obstacle for anyone with limited mobility and makes the return from the lower districts an uphill walk. There is no full spa, so wellness is limited to the rooftop pool and terrace. None of these issues undermines the property's core strengths in design and its rooftop pool, but they do shape who will be happy here. Guests who want spacious, quiet rooms, all-inclusive pricing, or step-free access may find the compromises frustrating, while those focused on style and the pool can treat them as acceptable trade-offs.