When the Ivens opened in Chiado in autumn 2021, it raised the bar for hotel design in Lisbon. It’s a maximalist fantasyland, loosely inspired by two 19th-century Portuguese explorers, Roberto Ivens and Hermeneglido Capelo. (It sits at the corner of Rua Ivens and Rua Capelo.)
But mostly that was an excuse for the designers—Cristina Matos on the rooms and reception and Lázaro Rosa-Violan (best known in Lisbon for designing JNcQUOI, something that will come as no surprise when you see the hotel) for the public spaces and restaurant—to have fun with jungle themes. There’s rain-forest-patterned wallpaper in the rooms, monkey sculptures, old maps, and memorabilia galore. It all adds up to a lot of fun.
That said, the rooms sleep well. They’re comfortable and quiet, with well-designed furniture (even work desks), city or river views, and signature Jo Malone amenities.
The restaurant, called Rocco, includes a deli counter, a raw bar, and a sumptuous, sunken dining room. It’s the kind of design-forward environment where the food wouldn’t need to be particularly good, but in fact, it’s well executed.
Because it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, service is a notch up from much of what’s offered in Lisbon, making it a good choice for North American guests who are used to certain brand standards.
For more information, visit the Ivens website.
The Ivens
Rua Capelo 5
Chiado
Lisbon
Phone: +351 210 543 135
Reservations: +351 213 474 394
Email: book@theivenshotel.com
Photos: Francisco Nogueira
