Locke de Santa Joana

Locke de Santa Joana opened in July 2024 in a 17th century convent close to the Avenida da Liberdade, the largest house its aparthotel brand had opened. The convent is a protected building and the project took more than five years: the architects S+A refurbished the old structures and added a new building, nine floors in all, while Lázaro Rosa-Violán of Barcelona designed the public rooms and the New York studio Post Company the 370 rooms and apartments. Columns and arches of white and Rosa Portugal marble, surviving azulejos and a museum of more than 20,000 artefacts found during the restoration keep its past in view.

It is made for living rather than visiting. Every category except the entry level Locke Room has a kitchen and a washer dryer, the private Wi-Fi runs at 100 megabits per second in both directions, and bills and weekly cleaning are included. Weekly and monthly rates apply, and there is a coworking space, meeting rooms, a gym with a yoga studio and a communal laundry. The apartments have light oak floors, zellige tiles and bathrooms in Portuguese limestone.

Santa Marta serves Mediterranean food on a terrace above the seasonal courtyard pool, Santa Joana is a Portuguese brasserie, Café Castro's opens at seven, and The Kissaten is a listening bar for the second half of the week. Marquês de Pombal metro station is two minutes away and Rossio under half an hour on foot. Dogs are welcome in a limited number of apartments, so mention yours when you book.