“We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.” – Pascal Mercier, Night Train to Lisbon
This quote really speaks to how I feel about the city of Lisbon, Portugal. During a recent trip to Europe, we decided to visit Lisbon for two days; and it wasn’t nearly enough. The city is magnificent, truly a gem hidden in the long list of visit-worthy European cities.
We did however set time aside to visit one of the most highly-regarded hotels and signature restaurants in Lisbon, Varanda Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon; and a visit to Lisbon is not truly complete without dining at this culinary masterpiece.
Entry
The entry and secondary space of the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is a resplendent collection of tradition, lush tapestries, colors, and luxurious appointments.
Main Resort Areas
I don’t often create a separate section for images after the entry of a property, but the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is so lovely and luxurious that I absolutely had to post some additional images. The art is sublime, and some of the most magnificent flowers I’ve seen.
Water
If you’ve read even one or two of my travel articles, you know that I love water – pools, jacuzzis, steam rooms, showers, you name it. Well, the indoor pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is a work of art.
Spa
The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon features a world-famous spa, and I can tell you that it is exquisite. I love what I refer to as the “feel” of a high-end spa – the peace and solitude, the scents, the immediate relaxation. Click Here for additional details on treatments and schedule.
Fitness
The hotel offers a unique and picturesque fitness area and experience, positioned on the roof of the property. The world-class fitness facility features lovely expansive glass windows so that guests may view the panoramic sights of Lisbon, and if you’re a walker or runner, a running track encircles the fitness facility where you can really take in the sights while getting a little cardio. These views are hard to beat.
Dining
The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon features some of the best culinary experiences in all of Portugal and Spain, and the property’s signature restaurant Varanda is at the forefront of dining excellence. I’ve enjoyed some incredible dining experiences, but our meal at Varanda exceeded my lofty expectations. Chef Pascal Meynard has studied and trained in a multitude of Michelin-starred restaurants, and the cuisine clearly reflects variety, inventiveness, and meticulous attention to detail.
Setting
Varanda, as its name suggests, is positioned in part on the main lobby floor of the Four Seasons, overlooking the hotel’s various terraces and Eduardo VII Park. The layout is dramatic and luxurious, and you feel as if you’ve been transported a century earlier.
Wine!
This dinner marked the second time in two evenings on this trip that we were amazingly blessed to have a Sommelier act as our server. Needless to say, the experience is divine as we asked the Sommelier to choose all of the wine for the meal. Amazing!
Amuse and Salad
You’ll notice a most lovely selection of fresh seafood, including hamachi and oysters.
Entrees
We next enjoyed delectable seafood and steak entrees, which you’ll notice have a table-side preparation component.
Closing Thoughts
As I write this, I’m reminded that we did not spend nearly enough time in Lisbon, but yet, the short time we spent in Lisbon was incredibly special. I feel that I certainly left a part of me in Lisbon, and that it was not voluntary. It’s almost as if my subconscious understood that I needed to feel a sort of ache in leaving Lisbon – the sort of ache that may only be soothed by returning to Lisbon and further connecting with the city.
I highly recommend that you visit Lisbon, and particularly Varanda at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, so that you may be the exultant beneficiary of experiencing and enjoying a luxury meal while taking in the sights and sounds of Lisbon over the terrace.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon – Info and Social
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (Website) – Rua Rodrigo Da Fonseca 88, Lisbon 1099-039 Portugal (Google Maps)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FourSeasonsHotelLisbon
Twitter: @FSLisbon
Instagram: @fslisbon
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fslisbon/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/106350962369443552531/posts
Click Here to read the reviews from visitors to the resort on Trip Advisor
More Pictures!
Thanks so very much to everyone at the resort, and especially our superlative service staff at Varanda! My wife and I truly had the experience of a lifetime, and we will always cherish our time at the resort.
Please take note that the resort welcomed me as a special media guest, but that my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this article, and happy dining and traveling!
#agp
