The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Vendors selling roasted chestnuts (a dozen for two euro) are the only indication that it is November in Lisbon.

Puffs of smoke billow into clear blue skies as the yellow carriage trundles downhill. A crowd is gathering at the bottom of Restauradores Square ready to climb aboard the historic Gloria funicular tram. Nearby, a digital street thermometer says it’s 19 degrees.

Dating back to 1885, the Elevador da Gloria  is one of Lisbon’s top tourist attractions,  but on this sunny afternoon we’re just looking for the easiest way to carry our bags up the vertical hill. Our hostel lies just across the street.

In a former life, The Independente Hostel and Suites was the Swiss ambassador’s official residence in Lisbon.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Located in the heart of the Bairro Alto, close to the Principe Real district, it markets itself as a ’boutique hostel’ , a status confirmed by Decadente, its very own restaurant, bar and beer garden.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

As well as the 90 dorm beds, there are four private attic suites with spectacular views overlooking the Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara and the Tagus River.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

View from the terrace of Suite no 2

Suites are bright and airy with eclectic decor that includes a mix of antique and designer furniture. In true loft-apartment styling, exposed wooden beams add character, as do the second-hand books that are wedged in crevices in the posts and pillars around the room – certainly an interesting feature.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Suite no 2

The interior design is something that definitely sets the Independente  apart from other hostels or indeed carbon-copy hotel chains in Lisbon.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Quirky: The finishing touches

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Reclaimed Book Shelves

The vintage look can be seen everywhere in the hostel, from the battered typewriter on the reception desk to the old fashioned weighing scales and painted tin cans stuffed with flowers in the Decadente restaurant.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

An ice-cold Super Bock at Decadente Bar

Meanwhile, in the common areas, furniture is stylishly retro, with polished floors and royal blue trimmings befitting the one-time palace.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Cool and comfortable: The living room in The Independente

The Decadente offers more than just cheap hostel dinners, it is a proper restaurant, with chefs who have stern principles about using organic, sustainable produce.  The menu is seasonal, with most ingredients sourced locally or from Portugal in any case. If you get the chance, be sure to try out a dish called “Portugal on a plate” – prawns, monkfish and rice with a white wine and coriander sauce. Delicious!  Meanwhile, a three-course lunch will set you back just €10.

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Milk, dark and white: A trio of chocolate ice-creams for dessert

As hostels go, breakfast is generous and includes: muesli, breads, yoghurts, fruit, jams, cheeses as well as scrambled eggs and bacon and fresh orange juice.

The latte is almost too pretty to drink!

Travel Edits | The Bed Edit: The Independente Hostel and Suites Lisbon

Verdict:

Possibly the poshest hostel you’ll ever encounter. With cheap flights to Lisbon and hostels of this calibre on offer, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a stylish city break on a shoestring budget. It was just a shame that the stay wasn’t longer, but flights to Dublin called…

13 Comments

  1. 10th November 2012 / 2:31 pm

    Love the view! Will have to check this place out when I finally visit Lisbon!

  2. 10th November 2012 / 3:17 pm

    It was a beautiful view and Lisbon is a must-see city!!

    • 12th November 2012 / 9:02 pm

      Yes, it’s almost like a loft apartment

  3. 11th November 2012 / 8:38 pm

    Beautiful! Need to make it to Lisbon some day soon and this place looks like it may be calling my name.

    • 12th November 2012 / 9:02 pm

      You really do, you’ll love it!

  4. 12th November 2012 / 12:14 am

    What a swank hostel! I love place like this that offer the social aspects of hostels but with a few more creature comforts.

    • 12th November 2012 / 9:03 pm

      That’s exactly it!

  5. 12th November 2012 / 12:31 am

    I love hostels that have cool amenities. This one looks like a winner.

    • 12th November 2012 / 9:03 pm

      yes, definitely more than the usual!

  6. 12th November 2012 / 12:07 pm

    I went there for a drink on Saturday while in Lisbon and was really quite impressed with the concept. The bar was fab and the cocktails delicious. Do you think I’d like the suites?

  7. 12th November 2012 / 9:13 pm

    I love that it’s the first time you went to a hostel Ana and that you tried the cocktails! 🙂

  8. 3rd December 2012 / 1:56 am

    Looks like a cool place to stay. Sounds like you had alot of fun there!

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