This Family-friendly Lisbon Hotel Has Gorgeous Apartment-style Rooms and the Coolest Kids Club We've Ever Seen

About three years ago, I up and moved to Lisbon, Portugal. For me, it was the winding cobblestone streets that give way to endless views of an old-world city that fully captured my heart. And I’m always happy to share that joy with every family member, friend, or person I've never met who messages me on social media for tips on how to see the city. (Seriously, I have a Google doc I’ll share with you if you DM me.) However, there was one topic I still hadn’t perfected after all these years: how to see Lisbon with kids. Until now. 

In June, Martinhal Resorts announced the opening of Martinhal Residences and Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, located in Lisbon’s Park of Nations neighborhood. It’s a bit outside the center of Lisbon, but still well within reach of major attractions by both public transit and taxis. Most importantly for parents, it boasts a few amenities that are so family-friendly, other hotels in Lisbon can’t even come close to comparing. 

Inside the hotel, guests will find 82 rooms that will fit their Goldilocks needs — from studios fit for solo travelers and couples all the way up to three-bedroom, self-catered apartments that are ideal for families on longer stays. It’s these larger spaces I’d recommend for those with small children as they come equipped with full kitchens perfect for preparing kid-friendly meals and snacks; washers and dryers for when accidents happen; and separate living spaces, so when the kids go to bed, parents have a place to unwind, too.

But it's not all about the rooms. There are common spaces galore, including an indoor and outdoor heated pool where everyone is welcome to splash around, a fitness center brimming with the latest equipment, and the all-important Martinhal Kids Club, known as the Raposinhos (which translates to “Little Fox”), a fully decked-out playroom with board games, video games, mats, cozy chairs, and anything else a kid could desire. Best of all, the Kids Club also comes with available child care programs, and the hotel boasts its own Family & Baby Concierge.

Come meal time, families can sit down together at the hotel’s signature Terrace Café Bar Restaurant, which provides ample indoor and outdoor dining. Pick from a menu inspired by the Middle East, India, and Japan, with flavors bound to appeal to everyone, and every age, in any travel party. And, thanks to the walled-in garden in the back, kids can get up and roam around without parents worrying.

Of course, it’s a good idea to get out of the hotel and explore the area a bit too. Within walking distance, families will find some rather spectacular activities, including the Oceanarium, arguably one of the coolest aquariums on Earth (don’t miss the otters and the octopus), the Science Museum, and the panoramic Cable Car. Or just head to the river's edge and stroll together as a family for as long as you wish, before you inevitably book an extra night or two at the hotel, because I promise, you’ll fall for Lisbon just as hard as I did. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up loving it so much you buy one of the hotel’s residential properties and become my neighbor too. 

Hotel rates start from €165 (about $180) per night in a studio apartment, based on two adults. See more at martinhal.com.