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Q: How did you save over $100 per night at Convent Square Lisbon?

By using the FoundersCard 20% off IHG Hotels & Resorts perk and leveraging IHG Gold status for potential upgrades.

Q: Is Convent Square Lisbon walkable for sightseeing?

Yes. The hotel is centrally located and makes it easy to walk to many major areas, with transit as an option for hills or longer distances.

Q: What’s the one restaurant you’d book in advance?

Alma — it’s a standout tasting-menu experience with exceptional service, and booking ahead is a smart move. Our second favorite meal was Mini Bar by José Avillez

Inside a Trip to Lisbon: Convent Square Living and Alma Dining

I went to Lisbon around Christmas time, and while it wasn’t the sunny Portugal you always hear about, the holiday charm made the trip magical. The streets felt festive and warm (in every sense), and the weather hovered in the high 50s to low 60s. When the sun came out, it was genuinely gorgeous — the kind of winter trip that is necessary when you live in New York.

We stayed at Convent Square Lisbon (part of IHG), and it ended up being a huge part of why the trip felt so easy and memorable.

Why I’d Stay at Convent Square Again

The hotel checked every box I care about: a perfect location, genuinely warm staff, and the kind of room that feels like a reset after walking all day. The space was roomy, the robes were so comfortable I considered purchasing one, and the bed was just what we needed to help with the jet lag.

I also loved the wellness setup. There was a really nice sauna and a gym that felt thoughtfully designed with a view of the courtyard. It was a great balance for a trip that was heavy on exploring and big dinners.

Spacious guest room at Convent Square Lisbon — Beautiful wellness spaces.

Indoor pool and spa area at Convent Square Lisbon — A pool that looked more like a spa than a city hotel.

How I Saved with FoundersCard

This stay was also a great reminder that travel perks add up fast. Using my FoundersCard benefits, I saved over $100 per night with the 20% off IHG Hotels & Resorts perk. On top of that, my IHG Gold status came through with a complimentary upgrade.

IHG Gold status shown as a benefit through FoundersCard — Gold status made check-in feel instantly smoother (and the upgrade didn’t hurt).

The Location: Walk Everywhere

Convent Square’s location was a major win. We were right by the square, walking distance from basically everything we wanted to do, and steps from incredible shopping — including the world’s third-largest Zara.

Map showing Convent Square Lisbon location in central Lisbon — Central, simple, and set up for exploring on foot.

View near the square by Convent Square Lisbon — Right near the square — a great starting point for mornings and late-night walks.

What We Did in Lisbon

Lisbon has so much to see — we averaged 20,000+ steps a day just wandering through the most adorable neighborhoods. Highlights included a free walking tour of Alfama, Time Out Market, exploring local shops and treats, and a day trip to Sintra to see the castles.

Holiday-time street scene in Lisbon — Lisbon in winter: festive, walkable, and full of little details.

Scenic Lisbon neighborhood view while exploring — Every neighborhood felt like its own postcard.

Time Out Market Lisbon interior with stalls — Free walking tours are a great way to explore the city on a budget.

Local Lisbon shops and treats while walking — My favorite days were the ones with no plan beyond “walk until something looks good.”

Sintra castle view on a day trip from Lisbon — The iconic tram 28 is a must.

The Food: Pastel de Nata, Ginjinha, and Alma

I can’t talk about Lisbon without talking about the food. On day one, we discovered pastel de nata (the most delicious pastries) and Ginjinha — a cherry liqueur you sip (and then eat) from a chocolate cup. Both became instant favorites, and both were basically on every corner.

Pastel de nata custard tart in Lisbon — Ginjinha in a chocolate cup is equal parts dessert and tradition.

Ginjinha cherry liqueur served in Lisbon — Watching the chefs bake our delicious treats was so fun.

Local Lisbon treats and drinks — We did get sick of eating pastel de nata by the end of the trip.

The standout meal: Alma

Every meal was outstanding, but our standout of the whole trip (including Spain, where we were right before) was Alma. We’d heard about it from a few friends, and honestly didn’t realize how fancy it was until we arrived and were told we “had” to do the tasting menu. While it would’ve been helpful to know the price going into the evening, it was worth every penny.

The service was truly 10/10 — they made us feel like celebrities and friends at the same time. Every dish was explained, and so many courses were standouts: unique, surprising, and so well executed. As a big foodie living in New York city, my food bar is high, and Alma exceeded every expectation.

Alma Lisbon tasting menu dish presentation — One of many “pause and stare” plates.

Alma Lisbon course with fine dining plating — Creative and precise without feeling fussy.

Alma Lisbon tasting menu course close-up — Every course felt like its own moment.

Dining experience at Alma restaurant in Lisbon — Service that makes the experience feel personal.

Another Alma Lisbon dish from the tasting menu — So many standouts — and all wildly different.

Final tasting menu moment at Alma Lisbon — The kind of meal you talk about for months afterward.

Quick Takeaways

Other honorable mentions: an authentic meal with Fado music, incredible coffee, clean and simple public transport, and some of the warmest people we’ve met while traveling. I’d highly recommend Lisbon as your next trip, and I’d absolutely stay at Convent Square again.

Best way to get around: Winter days are crisp, comfortable, and great for long walking days without over-heating.
Best hotel perk combo: FoundersCard savings + status made the stay feel elevated without feeling overpriced.
Best splurge: Alma (just know what you’re walking into).
Best “easy wins”: Pastel de nata and Ginjinha are everywhere for a reason.

Coffee in Lisbon showing the city’s café culture — Fado + dinner is a “do not skip” Lisbon experience.

Traditional Lisbon meal with warm ambiance and local music — Lisbon coffee breaks hit different — especially between hills.

Lisbon holiday charm captured on the trip — The day trip to Sintra was a must-see.

Lisbon street or landmark scene during the trip — Live music at most restaurants was a treat.

Lisbon travel moment highlighting local culture — Time out market was much cooler than the ones in NYC.

FAQ

Is Lisbon worth visiting around Christmas?

Yes. It’s festive without feeling overwhelming, and the weather is still comfortable for long walking days (especially when the sun is out). The trees were beautiful and the whole city was lit up.

How did you save over $100 per night at Convent Square Lisbon?

I used my FoundersCard IHG perk for 20% off IHG Hotels & Resorts, and my IHG Gold status helped secure an upgrade.

Is Convent Square Lisbon walkable for sightseeing?

Completely. We walked to most spots and only used transit when we wanted a break from the hills. The hotel’s central location made everything simpler.

What’s the one restaurant you’d book in advance?

Alma. If you’re into tasting menus and incredible service, it’s worth planning for. Our second favorite meal was Mini Bar by José Avillez, also book in advance and would highly recommend.

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