Martinhal Chiado,
Lisbon, Portugal
Why families love Martinhal Chiado
Martinhal Chiado is part of a renowned Portuguese hotel collection known for its high-end, family-friendly resorts. Set in the historic heart of Lisbon, this luxury aparthotel combines refined elegance with thoughtful touches designed for families, including daily supervised childcare, a true rarity among inner city hotels. In this Martinhal Chiado review, we cover the apartments, the kids club, dining and the central Lisbon location.
- Luxury full-service aparthotel in vibrant Chiado
- Daily housekeeping and complimentary baby items
- Year-round kids club and play spaces
- Cosy basement bar and restaurant
First impressions
Martinhal Chiado makes a lasting impression from the moment you step inside, with a warm, understated atmosphere that feels both polished and welcoming. The hotel is housed in a beautiful 19th century building, and the front desk team was wonderfully accommodating, making our children feel right at home straight away. Our little ones each received a backpack with a cuddly toy fox, a lovely surprise after our long journey!
What stands out most is how seamlessly the hotel blends high-end city accommodation with thoughtful, practical touches for families. The daily supervised childcare and the dedicated ‘Baby Concierge’, which provides complimentary infant essentials, make it clear that Martinhal Chiado was designed with real family travel in mind.
Accommodation
The apartments at Martinhal Chiado are bright, spacious and thoughtfully designed with families in mind. Whether you’re booking a studio for a couple and an infant, or a two-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to six, each one is a practical yet stylish base for exploring Lisbon. The fully equipped kitchen, in-room washer and dryer and dedicated dining area made it easy to settle in, and it felt like having all the comforts of home at the end of each day.
A real highlight is the fold-away bunk beds found in many of the apartments. They free up living and play space during the day, and our children were especially delighted with them. Daily housekeeping is included, so families can properly relax without worrying about chores. For those travelling with younger children, the concierge can also arrange baby essentials, including cots, bottle warmers, safety gates, highchairs and baby baths.
Kids club & childcare
The daily kids club at Martinhal Chiado is exceptional. Open to children from 6 months to 9 years old, it has separate zones for different age groups and is staffed by friendly, attentive carers. There’s a soft play area and sleeping room for the littlest guests, while older children can enjoy crafts, games and even a small indoor climbing wall. Some sessions are complimentary and others carry a small fee, so check with the hotel for full details.
In the evenings, the Pajama Club (for ages 3+) is a real treat. It includes dinner, a mini disco and a movie night, giving parents the perfect chance to enjoy a date night at one of Chiado’s many nearby restaurants or bars. There’s also a playroom that families can reserve for private use, which is perfect for some quiet downtime after a day exploring the city.
Dining options
We had breakfast at Martinhal’s cosy onsite restaurant, Bar 1855, and it was excellent. Everything is fresh, generous and beautifully presented, with warm dishes made to order and plenty of choice to satisfy every member of the family. Bar 1855 also serves an all-day brunch menu, and in the evening it becomes a cosy gin bar, perfect for a nightcap while the kids are entertained at the Pajama Club.
Location & nearby attractions
One of the joys of visiting Lisbon with kids is the warmth of Portuguese hospitality. Children are welcomed almost everywhere, which makes dining out as a family relaxed and enjoyable. The hotel’s location couldn’t be better, set in the heart of Chiado, one of Lisbon’s most vibrant and picturesque neighbourhoods. This area is brimming with elegant, old-world charm, and is packed with shops, cafes and restaurants. Everything is within easy walking distance, including the famous Time Out Market, which houses a vast number of eateries under one roof. Historic trams weave through the cobbled streets and offer a fun and scenic way to explore the city. The nearby Science Museum and the renowned Lisbon Oceanarium also make for excellent outings with kids.
Final thoughts
Martinhal Chiado is a rare gem among inner city hotels. Alongside daily childcare, it is luxurious, practical and genuinely family-friendly. Whether you’re travelling with a baby, a toddler or an older child, the thoughtful amenities and central location make it a brilliant base for exploring one of Europe’s most charming capital cities. Flying with a little one? See our guide to airplane essentials for babies and infants.
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