As Janelas Verdes Inn, Lisbon, Portugal

You're in the west of the city, in the Lapa district, a brisk 20-minute walk from the Praça do Comercio, the city's main riverfront square. Although not central, it's in a quiet residential street in an area of embassies and consulates, with views over the Tagus River and a five-minute walk from the nearest station which connects to the city's Metro service. Portugal's national gallery, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, is next door, with European as well as Portuguese art, while World Heritage Site Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (a monastery built to honour explorer Vasco da Gama) is in nearby Belém.

By plane: flights to Lisbon take around 2 hours 50 mins from London and Manchester and 2 hours 30 mins from Bristol. The hotel is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. Private parking costs €15 per day. Book flights to Lisbon.

The 18th-century townhouse has a quietly smart, traditional style with marbled floors, elegant furnishings, an ironwork staircase, rich red velvet curtains and a few antiques. Some walls are frescoed, others are hung with framed etchings or lined with traditional azulejo tiling.

Staff are charming and efficient, with housekeeping and waiters dressed in smart uniforms. Two extremely comfortable ground-floor sitting rooms, one with a piano, plus a top-floor library and roof terrace, offer guests plenty of space. Complimentary hot drinks and biscuits, plus two well-stocked honesty bars are always available.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Roof terrace
• Paid parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Bedrooms are charmingly traditional with pale walls and carpets, classic wallpapers, polished wooden headboards, upholstered armchairs and the occasional antique. Big windows mean they're filled with light, while beautiful bedlinens make you feel spoilt and marbled bathrooms are spacious.

Room types: Classic Room, Bairro Room, Tejo Room, Eça de Quieroz Room

Key amenities: ensuite bath or shower, TV, free Wi-Fi

It's breakfast only, but what a joy! Served in the pretty ivy-clad, walled courtyard when it's warm - and as it's sheltered, that's most of the time - it's a tempting affair including assorted bread and local pastries, fresh fruit salad, freshly squeezed juice, cheeses, yoghurts and honey. There's pretty glasses and proper napkins, too.

Courtyard restaurant: pastries, fresh fruit, cheeses and yogurts. Open daily for breakfast.