Junior checks out the new Martinhal Lisbon Oriente

The new Martinhal resort you may never want to leave!

Martinhal are a long time Junior Design Award winning travel brand. The Portuguese Hotel & Resort group has always been the place where luxury and family-friendly accommodations meet, so it stands to reason that the newly launched Martinhal Lisbon Oriente would embody this and then some.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is a new concept - superbly designed 5-star luxury studios and apartments (to rent and buy), blended with the highest level of hotel amenities and bespoke service we've come to expect from the team at Martinhal. Meaning you can visit this vibrant city on your own terms.

The stunning building is set by the River Tagus in Lisbon’s modern district, the Park of Nations. Featuring cutting-edge architecture by renowned architect Eduardo Capinha Lopes and a modern green façade all set in a premium Lisbon location.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente can accommodate short and long-term family stays, groups of friends/work colleagues, or with remote working styles - maybe you're embarking on a digital nomad adventure? Especially if your company or employer has offered a 'working from anywhere' policy. Either way the 'Martinhal' experience awaits. “Cappuccinos with the foam still on it.” we're coming for you!

DID YOU KNOW? The name Martinhal comes from a local beach in Portugal, and inspired the name of the hotel brand group which now has 5 main locations: Quinta Algarve, Martinhal Sagres Algarve and Martinhal Chiado Lisbon, Martinhal Cascais, and the new Martinhal Lisbon Oriente .

> For more information, please visit: Martinhal

What to Expect at Martinhal Lisbon Oriente

The Rooms

There is plenty of room options to suit every traveller, ranging from studios, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom apartments. The interiors are luxurious and modern, yet spacious and comfortable as in all Martinhal properties across Portugal. The mixing of neutral colours with blue and yellow tones - that bring the outside colours of the sky and sun inside through the large windows - is both calming and welcoming.

Each accommodation offers enough space for guests in varying sizes, each with facilities that busy families can benefit from including separate rooms some en suite, open plan living areas, balconies (on selected properties), bunk beds and pull-out bed(s), room dividers in the studio apartment, and fully equipped kitchenettes which include SMEG washing & drying machines, dishwashers, ovens, microwave ovens, blenders, toasters, kettles and coffee machines.

Baby cots and other baby accessories are available. We like the added plastic reusable child-friendly plates and cups for younger children to use. Home from home.

The Facilities

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente offers two pool areas: one a heated indoor and other outdoors, two children’s pools and a well-equipped high-tech gym with natural light and nice garden view for those who like to work out. It also provides dedicated office space and executive assistant services support for the new generation of remote professionals (see more information below).

As we would expect Martinal offer lots of facilities for children. The kids room is supervised by childcare staff, while the older room has beanie bags, board games, a snooker table, gaming chairs and plenty of space to lounge in. Extras include on-site babysitting, childcare concierge, and family-friendly dining.

Also, good to know is they offer 3 electric vehicle charging stations outside with a power of 22kW / 32A each, the stations charge in less than an hour.

The Food

Oriente means the East. And as Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is located in the east of Lisbon it inspired the fusion of oriental and Portuguese cuisine in the all-day dining restaurant, cafe and bar, ‘Terrace’. On the menu, you’ll find various dishes from cities, countries and cultures from the eastern part of the world including Asian and European cuisine.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated and is bathed in natural light (that would be Lisbon’s 300+ days of sunshine!) and littered with lush greenery cascading from the lofty high ceilings, yet this cosmopolitan hot-spot is a relaxed and informal eatery ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Terrace also warmly welcomes families, offering a selection of healthy food options featuring children gourmet portions and fresh fruit and vegetable purées.

The Terrace Café area is perfect for breezy morning breakfasts, fast paced-grab-and-go lunchtimes where guests can grab Portuguese pastries such as the famous pastel de Nata (custard tart), plus homemade Martinhal jams, Royal Rawness coffee, Companhia Portugueza do Cha teas, homemade ice creams and lots more fresh bites. In the evening the restaurant is ideal for elegant dinners on balmy nights, alongside the Terrace Bar which offers an intimate and elegant ambience for cocktails and tapas.

The Area

The Park of Nations is home to some of Lisbon’s top attractions and all within walking distance from Martinhal Lisbon Oriente. These include the Lisbon Oceanarium, Knowledge Pavillion, Lisbon Casino, cable cars, Lisbon’s main event venue Altice Arena, as well as restaurants, shops, lovely gardens and parks, outdoor sports facilities, and the beautiful marina.

The Lisbon Oceanarium which has been recognised as one of the best aquariums in the world. It’s a lovely activity to do as a family and will keep you occupied for an hour or more. The aquarium is one of the most visited tourist spots in Lisbon and receives about 1 million visitors a year. A great attraction to place on the itinerary for a family-friendly holiday.

Additionally, families can choose to venture and explore the old town of Chiado (20 mins away from Martinhal Lisbon Oriente) and extend their stay for a couple of nights at Martinhal Chiado.

Not too far from the hotel is the United Lisbon International School which has high-speed fibre internet, on-site technical support, wellness amenities, childcare, 24hr concierge, office spaces, close to transport links and more. It’s also a 10-minute drive to the airport.

> READ MORE: Lisbon with children: What not to miss!

The digital nomad generation

Lisbon continues to be an attractive place for the growing digital nomad community. With several government initiatives in 2023 and a strong forecasted investment market will further appeal to international entrepreneurs. Its popularity is expected to grow with Portugal’s anticipated Digital Nomad Visa which launched in 2022. The visa permits remote workers from non-EU countries to apply for a temporary-stay visa of up to one year or a residency permit that can be renewed for up to five years. Applicants must earn at least €2,800 per month to qualify.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente has a working area specifically for remote workers and digital nomads in the resort. The workspace has great lighting, soundproof office rooms, desks chairs and collaborative spaces for meetings. Between the office rooms is a staircase that leads down to the lobby area and restaurant ­– conveniently situated for easy access to lunchtime snacks.

The Essentials

• How to get to Martinhal Lisbon Oriente: Fly from London Gatwick to Lisbon direct with TAP Air Portugal from £129 per person. Lisbon airport is 10 minutes’ drive from Martinhal Lisbon Oriente
• Where to stay: Stays at Martinhal Lisbon Oriente can be booked from £141 (165€) per night for a Studio Apartment, £238 (278€) for a One Bedroom Apartment and £358 (418€) for a Two Bedroom Apartment
• What to do: Park of Nations: Lisbon Oceanário, Cable Car, Science Pavilion, Salty Planet – Sailing Yacht Charter, Restaurant Cantinho do Avilez, Streetart & Architecture tour
• Where to book: Martinhal