WC by the Beautique Hotels: One of the Coolest Hotels in Lisbon
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
What Makes WC by the Beautique Hotels one of the Coolest Hotels in Lisbon
The taxi driver dropping us off at the WC By the Beautique Hotels in Lisbon looked at the sign on the building and laughingly asked, “Will you tell people back home that you stayed at the WC?”
While Americans don’t use the term “water closet” to describe bathrooms, the “WC” in the name “WC By the Beautique Hotels” definitely means it in the European sense.
The entire hotel is designed with a splashy bathroom theme!
You can use this interactive map (centered on WC) to check rates for your dates:
The Decor & Design at One of the Coolest Hotels in Lisbon
The WC by the Beautique Hotels is six stories tall, and home to 41 rooms. It opened in 2017.
From the restaurant underground to the rooftop patio, the entire hotel is designed to convey the “cleanliness and comfort of a modern bathroom.”
Even the exterior, covered in beautiful Portuguese tile like many buildings in Lisbon, resembles tile you’d see in a bathroom.
There’s great attention to detail inside the hotel. The designers filled the public and private guest spaces with large pieces of pop art, along with smaller choices which may not catch your eye at first.
You’ll definitely see the giant bathtubs inside the lobby desk right away, but it may take a while to notice the soap tray that doubles as a notebook and pen holder above the desk in your room.
Overall, there’s nothing subtle about the quirky, playful overall theme!
The Lobby at WC by the Beautique Hotels: Pop Art & Whimsy
Walking through the hotel’s glass entry doors, you’re hit by a fresh, clean scent that permeates the building.
It’s not appealing to everybody, but I liked it! I assumed it was some sort of exclusive aroma.
In reality, I learned: it’s a green tea spray used by the housekeeping staff! I suppose it’s what I’d like the bathroom in my office to smell like.
It’s almost like someone just got out of the shower, after using a fresh body wash, so it contributes to the overall ambiance and theme right from the start.
The front desk area creatively mixes bathtubs into the desk itself, with oversized shower heads hanging above.
The friendly staff, donning robes and spa-type outfits greets you in front of a giant shower backdrop.
A side desk is surrounded by a circular shower curtain.
Oversized perfume and cologne bottles are main design elements in the lobby, and soaps are for sale as souvenirs.
WC by the Beautique Hotels: Rooms & Suites
Walking the hallways, you’ll see why I think this is one of the coolest hotels in Lisbon. You feel submerged.
The walls are covered in hard plastic images, simulating the glass walls of a shower, dripping with steam.
Inside the rooms, tiled walls surround the space, making you feel like you’re inside a shower.
Perhaps appropriately for a hotel called the “WC,” the bathroom takes up a significant part of the guest rooms. The shower, especially, is nicely oversized.
The rooms and suites at WC by the Beautique Hotels vary greatly in size:
- Superior Room: 195 square feet
- Superior Double: 215 square feet
- Deluxe Room: 280 square feet
- Premium Room: 410 square feet (and there’s only one, up on the top floor!)
The designers of the WC successfully used mirrors in the hallways and guest rooms to create the illusion of far more space.
The superior guest rooms are on the smaller size, but again, the designers used mirrors to visually convey a larger space.
The desk sits up against a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and the sink area is encased in mirrors, as is the minibar area.
One criticism I have of the smaller rooms is: they could have been more creative coming up with a better use for the large empty storage space above the bar area.
The in-room espresso machine was very much appreciated, but I was confused by the $25 charge for the beautiful eco-friendly bottle of water at the min-bar.
The Bar & Restaurant at One of the Coolest Hotels in Lisbon
I’m not great at interpreting design or art, and I was definitely “off” on some of the design elements inside WC by the Beautique Hotels. Case in point: the Banho Restaurant, which is below the main floor of the hotel.
I thought for sure the giant mirrors on the wall were supposed to mimic medicine cabinets! (I still think the comparison works).
The restaurant website says the mirrors create an optical illusion and feeling of fluidity by reflecting images of waterfalls around the underground space.
Be that as it may… I definitely didn’t misinterpret a few other pieces of decor. For one, the dining tables look like frosted glass shower doors.
There are glass shower blocks used as risers and hotplates on the table. Plus the circular light above looks somewhat like a bathroom’s heat lamp, but I think it’s more like a makeup mirror hung upside down.
The main bar at WC by the Beautique Hotels is adjacent to the lobby and front desk.
The bar itself is covered with some sort of acrylic material which runs down onto the floor, made to look like an overflowing bathtub.
The surrounding furniture is all done in different aquamarine tones, which you’ll find throughout the hotel’s rooms and hallways. Even the material in the chairs seems to have ripples or waves incorporated.
WC by the Beautique Hotels: The Rooftop
The rooftop is a great patio space on the 5th floor, which helps make the WC one of the coolest hotels in Lisbon.
It has several couches, chairs and tables, and umbrellas for sunny days.
You’ll get a great view down Lisbon’s famous Rua Almirante Reis.
If you’re like me and would rather relax at night than go out to a club, the terrace on the rooftop is a perfect spot to unwind. Grab a bottle of red wine at the store down the block, and enjoy the view after dark!
WC by the Beautique Hotels: Location in Lisbon
WC by The Beautique Hotels is part of the historic Chiado District located in the heart of Lisbon. It is a vibrant, multi-cultural neighborhood known for its charming streets, traditional shops, and lively atmosphere.
Chiado is located between Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Cais do Sodré neighborhoods, making it a central location for exploring the city.
The hotel itself is along Avenida Almirante Reis, known for its vibrant multicultural makeup.
Sites Close to the WC
- Castle of São Jorge – 15 min walk
- Avenida da Liberdade – 15 min walk
- Rossio Square – 17 min walk
- Santa Justa Elevator – 19 min walk
- Lisbon Cathedral – 21 min walk
- Commerce Square – 23 min walk
- Marquis of Pombal Square – 2 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Eduardo VII Park – 3 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Campo Grande – 4 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Gulbenkian Museum – 4 min ride in taxi/Uber
Mass Transportation Options Nearby:
- Lisbon (LIS-Humberto Delgado) – 18 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Rossio Station – 16 min walk
- R. Maria Andrade Stop – 2 min walk
- Intendente Station – 2 min walk
- Igreja Anjos Stop – 2 min walk
Landmarks Around Lisbon’s Chiado District
WC by The Beautique Hotels is located in a prime location in Lisbon, just a short walk from popular attractions such as the Praça do Comércio, Rossio Square, and the Bairro Alto neighborhood. The hotel is also close to public transportation, making it easy to explore other parts of the city.
Chiado is home to some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks, including the Carmo Convent, the Santa Justa Lift, and the São Carlos National Theater.
It is also known for its shopping, with a mix of traditional shops, boutiques, and designer stores.
The district has a lively café culture, with many famous cafes such as A Brasileira and Café Nicola, which have been frequented by Portuguese intellectuals and artists for over a century.
Room Rates & Amenities at the WC by the Beautique Hotels
Room rates at the WC vary, as they do at any hotel, but the smaller rooms will usually be under $200 per night, and sometimes as low as $150.
Additional fees apply, including a 2 Euro city tax per guest.
A breakfast buffet can be added for 15 Euros each. It’s served 7:30am – 10:30am daily.
Amentities Included
- Room service (limited hours)
- 24-hour front desk
- Concierge services / Tour booking assistance
- Dry cleaning/laundry services
- Luggage storage
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
Other Beautique Hotels in Lisbon
There are several boutique hotel groups in Lisbon that offer unique experiences. Some of the most well-known beautique hotel groups (with some of the other coolest hotels in Lisbon) include the Memmo Hotels group, the Altis Hotels group, and the Heritage Hotels group.
The WC is (as its full name implies) part of the Beautique Hotels Group in Lisbon. They’re behind three other uniquely-themed hotels. The company’s goal is to create “magical places” and “unusual and exceptional” experiences for guests in Portugal.
Dos Reis by the Beautique Hotels
Dos Reis by The Beautique Hotels is directly across the street from WC, in a beautifully-restored 19th-century building.
“Dos Reis” translates to “Of Kings,” which is fitting for the hotel’s theme: royalty. Giant crowns hang from the ceiling in the main lobby, and the theme of kings and queens runs through the property.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar that serves traditional Portuguese cuisine with a modern twist, as well as creative cocktails and an extensive wine list. The restaurant has a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or a small gathering with friends.
Rates for the rooms typically start at around $200 per night, though they drop lower at times.
The rooms and suites at Dos Reis vary in size, starting with the 215 square foot Superior Room.
Nearby Attractions:
- Castle of São Jorge – 15 min walk
- Avenida da Liberdade – 17 min walk
- Rossio Square – 18 min walk
- Santa Justa Elevator – 19 min walk
- Lisbon Cathedral – 22 min walk
- Commerce Square – 23 min walk
- Marquis of Pombal Square – 2 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Eduardo VII Park – 3 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Campo Grande – 3 min ride in taxi/Uber
- Gulbenkian Museum – 4 min ride in taxi/Uber
Figueira by the Beautique Hotels
Figueira was the first property in the group, and designed with nature in mind.
Specifically, the boutique hotel’s theme surrounds the fig tree and the aroma of the ripe fig fruit.
The hotel is named after the famous Figueira Square, which is just steps away from the hotel and is one of Lisbon’s landmarks.
The Figueira features 50 rooms and suites on five floors. Some offer stunning views of Figueira Square, while others overlook the hotel’s inner courtyard.
Figueira by The Beautique Hotels offers a range of dining options, including a rooftop restaurant and bar with panoramic views of the city. The restaurant serves contemporary Portuguese cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients.
Other amenities at the hotel include a fitness center, a spa, and a sauna.
Figueira’s rooms and suites vary in size:
- Superior Room: 215 square feet
- Deluxe Room: 270 square feet
- Premium Room: 310 square feet
Sites Nearby
- Santa Justa Elevator – 3 min walk
- Rossio Square – 4 min walk
- Castle of São Jorge – 7 min walk
- Lisbon Cathedral – 8 min walk
- Commerce Square – 8 min walk
- Avenida da Liberdade – 8 min walk
- Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) – 25 min ride in taxi/Uber
Madalena by the Beautique Hotels
Madalena’s theme surrounds the “female universe,” beginning with the pink oyster tiles on the building’s facade.
Interior designers hope to convey romance, elegance, and delicacy inside the rooms and suites.
Some rooms face the street, while others face a quieter courtyard. The streetside rooms have a traditional balcony facing Madalene Street in Lisbon.
Room rates usually start at $250 and above for the Madalena.
Room sizes vary:
- Superior Rooms: 200 square feet
- Deluxe Rooms: 230 square feet
- Premium Rooms: 240 square feet
Sites Nearby:
- Castle of São Jorge – 5 min walk
- Rossio Square – 5 min walk
- Lisbon Cathedral – 6 min walk
- Commerce Square – 8 min walk
- Avenida da Liberdade – 9 min walk
Wrap: The WC by the Beautique Hotel in Lisbon
If you’re looking for a unique boutique experience as you travel, the WC is definitely one of the coolest hotels in Lisbon, and worth a stay for a night or more.
The Superior Rooms are pretty small, but well worth the semi-bargain, big-city rates below $200 per night. Beyond the design and decor, there’s plenty of storage space for luggage, and I like the oversized bathroom area.
While I travel more for the destination, the sites, and the culture, there’s also something to be said for returning from your adventures each day to an interesting, welcoming space. The WC provides that!
Plus, it’s as far from cookie-cutter as you can get, so it’ll make your visit even more memorable!
