Each room in this palatial building combines original features with styling inspired by the discoveries of Portuguese explorers as they travelled across Africa, America and Asia – think coffee, porcelain, cardamom and silk. Retreat to the top-floor library and lounge to escape reality with a good book (with tomes available in English, French, German, Portuguese and Japanese), or join the locals at Bartolomeu, the ground-floor bistro and wine bar, dishing up Portuguese flavours with a French twist. Make your way through the primarily Portuguese wine list or book in for a private tasting in the former bank safes, now storing liquid currency.