Santa Clara 1728

The place

A white 18th-century building in Alfama, shaped by Aires Mateus into something close to silence. Santa Clara 1728 lets the contemporary and the historic sit together without friction — an enormous Renaissance painting beside the staircase, and little else to distract.

The six suites are minimal but sure of themselves: soothing white tones, pine wooden floors, modern designer furniture, a four-poster bed, a large stone bathtub.

There is a secluded garden, and a communal table where homemade breakfast is served. From Wednesday to Saturday, Ceia gathers up to fourteen guests around one shared table for an eight-course dinner built on seasonal ingredients from the hotel’s own farm.