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Source: Article about Lisbon in Business Traveller 11-2010 Page 90-92

The Portuguese capital has a great range of modern hotels and unusual venues for hosting events.

Lisbon has long been a popular haunt for tourists, with its rich nautical history, pretty tiled streets and buzzing yet unhurried atmosphere. But it is a more recent development that the Portuguese capital has emerged as one of Europe's top meetings destinations. In 2008 and 2009, it was ranked eighth in Europe by the International Congress and Convention Association, and the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and events) industry now accounts for 44 per cent of the city's tourism income.

Alexandra Baltazar, manager of Lisbon Convention Bureau, explains why:"There were two big moments for Lisbon. In 1998 the World Expo was held here and then in 2004 we hosted the European Football Championship. These two huge events showed the world we were good organizers."

The success of these events meant Lisbon had to develop its MICE offering fast to meet fresh demand. In 1998 the city had 3,000 sqm of space for hire - today it has 40,000 sqm and this month it will host the North Atlantic Treaty  Organization (NATO) at Nations park, a beautiful modem complex by the water here, the Atlantic Pavilion alone can cater for 12,500 people theatre-style. Next year the city will also host a dermatological convention for 14,000 people.

The hotel scene has developed quickly, with many of the big names represented. The Corinthia Lisbon, which reopened in 2004 after extensive renovations and a change of name (it used to be the Corinthia Alfa), is the hotel with the largest amount of event space in the city (3,000 sqm). It also has one of the biggest spas of any five -star hotel in Europe. The Ritz Four Seasons offers 1,838 sqm of space across 15 meeting rooms and its ballroom, which hosts 500 for a reception. The property has a prime location opposite Edward VII Park (for full reviews of both hotels visit click on the link). The Marriott claims to be the largest hotel in the country, with 577 rooms, and the Sheraton was refurbished in 2007. There will be 15 more four- and five -star hotels joining the scene between 2012 and 2015.

The proximity of the airport to the city centre - only 15 minutes' drive away - is a big plus. By 2012 Lisbon aims to extend its metro system to the airport and, in the next three years, a high-speed rail link to Madrid will be added, with a journey time of less than three hours. There is even a meeting space at the airport the Airport Business Centre – equipped with conference rooms, lounges and showers (visit abclisbon.com).

The capital's reputation as a resort city also helps. While it has much to offer those seeking culture, cuisine, history and shopping. it is also ideally positioned on the Atlantic coast and it is only a short train journey to the coastal towns of Estoril, Cascais and Guincho. Estoril is known for its large casino as much as its popular location on the water, and Guincho is a good place for surfing. Further inland, up in the mountains, is Sintra, a fairytale hide-out with castles often shrouded in mystical mist (see panel, page 92).Here are some options for meeting in and around the city.

IN TOWN LISBON
CAMARA DOS AZUS
This antique shop and art gallery is owned by three brothers and is located close to the city's renowned Gulbenkian Foundation. There are two levels to the property. The ground floor covers 200 sqm and houses antiques and artwork from across the globe - it's a unique space to hold an event, and the owners are quite relaxed about there being so many treasures dose to free –flowing champagne. The lower ground floor is 130 sqm and there's also a 70 sqm back room that organizers can use as an office or for storage. The venue can seat 100 people for dinner and hold 250 for a reception in total.
• 157A!B Ave Elias Garcia; tel +351217940 163, camaradosazuis.com

TIVOLI THEATRE
This theatre was the place to be seen during the Romantic period and is still drawing the crowds today. You can entertain 1,100 people in the three-level auditorium, while the adjoining restaurant, with its high ceilings and murals illustrating scene's from Portugal's history, can host 150 for dinner or 400 for cocktails. The restaurant can be hired for private even is at the weekend – it is also open for lunch during the week and is popular for informal business meetings (try the queijo Serra da Estrala delicious runny sheep cheese).
• 9 Rua Manuel Jesus Coelho; tel +351 213 151050; teatro-tivoli.com

INSPIRA SANTA MARTA HOTEL
This centrally located four-star property opened in May. It has a clean, white facade and the interior is ultra -modern, with huge floor to ceiling cuts of wood lining the corridor and leading up to the firs t-floor spa, which has six treatment areas, a sauna, steam room, gym and couple's room. The 89-room hotel has themed feng shui bedrooms - tree, fire, earth, water and metal There are two meeting venues that can be combined to scat 80 delegates, an auditorium and a business centre. The auditorium is suitable for groups of 45 people.
• 48 Rua de Santa Marta; tel +351 210440900: inspirasantamartahotel.com

ALTIS AVENIDA HOTEL
Family-run company Allis Hotels Portugal has been operating since the 1970s and has six properties, all in Lisbon. A good option for small groups is the five -star Altis Avenida, which opened in March, and overlooks Restauradores Square. A 19605 office building originally, the facade is now protected. There are 70 bedrooms over six floors and a meeting venue for 20 people. The interior design nods to the glamorous 1940s, with black and gold decor. The rooftop brasserie offers stunning views over the main square. Wifi is free for the first hour and then charged at € 5 per hour or €20 per 24 hours.
• Rua 1 de Dezembro 120; tel +351210440000; altisavenidahotel.com

ALTIS BELEM HOTEL AND SPA
Also from the Altis group, this property opened in February last year. It is located next to the marina and on the Tagus river in the heart of Belem, where Lisbon's seafaring history began with the age of exploration. Each of the 50 rooms and five suites represents a different country from furtugal's empire. There are three meeting rooms totaling more than 220 sqm of space - when combined they can accommodate up to 120 delegates and each venue has natural daylight and soundproofing. The hotel has free wifi and there's a terrace bar on the river, a cafe and a gourmet restaurant serving Portuguese/Asian food it can seat 70 and spills out on to the marina in the summer. There is also a spa with six treatment rooms and a rooftop pool
• Doca do Born Sucesso; tel +351210 400 200; altishotels.com

HOTEL OLISSIPPO MARQUES DE SA
There arc four Olissippo hotels in Lisbon, with two more in the pipeline - one is a five -star property in Nations Park, due to open in 2011, and the other is planned for 2013 in the centre of the city. Although not a new addition, the Marques de Sa is worth a mention as it has recently been upgraded from a three- to a four-star hotel after a refurbishment last year. With 164 rooms, it's in a good central location close to the Sao Sebastiao metro and the congress centre. There is 1,000 sqm of meeting space across seven rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 325 people for a reception.
• 130 Ave Miguel Bombarda; tel +351217911 014; olissippohotels.com

DINING VENUES
ELEVEN
This striking restaurant was opened by 11 friends and is great for exclusive events. The downstairs dining room can seat 70 people and upstairs there is another space for 120 standing. plus a terrace that overlooks Edward VII Park and offers wonderful views at night of the city and the castle in the distance. The food and service is top-notch. Open daily 12.30pm-3pm, 7.30pm- 11 pm. Closed Sundays.
• Rua Marques de Fronteira, Jardim Amalia Rodrigues; tel +351 213 862 211: restauranteleven.com

ATRAVESSA
In the neighborhood of Madragoa, this restaurant has been running since 1978 and is housed in the convent of St Bemardas, which was founded in 1653. The building was all but destroyed in the earthquake of 1755 but renovations began in 1758. In a stunning location, it has a lovely atmosphere. You can sit inside under the large arched ceilings or outside in the courtyard cloisters. Opt for the €7.50 starter of traditional Portuguese dishes. Main courses arc generous and delicious. Open Tues-Fri 12.30pm-3pm, dinner Mon-Sat Spm-12am. • 12 Bairra da Madragoa: lei +351 213940800: atravessa.com

OUTSIDE LISBON

FORTALEZA DO GUINCHO
This Relais and Chateaux property has been a hotel for 11 years and is housed in a 17th-century fortress. It is located in Guincho, a seaside village about an hour from Lisbon, and sits just off the road right on the waters' edge. The five -star, 27-room hotel has kept the original slone walls and small windows in the rooms, and they have quite a masculine feel, with touches of leather on the beds and wardrobes. There is a Michelin starred restaurant offering French haute cuisine, impeccable service and incredible viev..rs over the sea. This is an ideal place to host a special lunch for up to 50 guests. The public areas aTC open and light, and the lobby has an atrium roof  that opens up. There are plans for a terrace with a pool. For events, you'll  find a medieval-style dining room in the cellar with red carpets and a huge stone fireplace. It can cater for 110 people for a banquet. The first –floor Pateo room can seat 16 delegates.
• Estrada do Guincho, Cascais; tel +351214870491; guinchotel.pt

OITAVOS
The newest property here, Oitavos opened in September. Guests access the hotel from the main coastal road near Cascais and enter the Oitavos Dunes golf club. The hotel is on the same estate, Quinta da Marinha. The approach is stunning, through orchards and over the golf course, and arrival is marked by a driveway painted blue and a statue of a voluptuous naked lady. The modem new-build is Y-shaped and made of glass and steel, giving it a space-age look. The 142 rooms have azure concrete floors and minimal furnishings, and nearly all have sea view. There are nine meeting venues with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the course. The ballroom can cater for up to 300 people and there is a separate entrance for groups. The spa has ten treatment rooms overlooking the sand dunes, and there are three restaurants, including a gourmet eatery and Les Herbes, which can be hired for groups
• Rua de Oitavos, Quinta da Marinha;  Cascais; tel +351214860020; theoitavos.com

MAKING A WEEKEND OF IT
The mountain town of Sintra is a 45-minute drive from Lisbon. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is home to romantic castles and winding cobbled streets twisting into the mist and lined with yellow painted houses. It's easy to spend a morning exploring the streets and shopping for traditional souvenirs. A good idea for incentive groups is to take a horse-drawn carriage into the hills, passing eucalyptus, pine and cork trees (50 per cent of the world's cork is from Portugal), to the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais. This magnificent building has been a hotel since 1954 and the 30 bedrooms feature handmade carpets, paintings and chandeliers, with view of the gardens or outdoor pool. Sit on the terrace, with its vineyard vistas, and try the teas and cream cakes, including the pasteis de Belem (tarts filled with cream, milk and vanilla - each day about 10,000 of these are sold in Portugal). An hour's drive from Sintra, descending from the mountains, you'll reach Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point of Europe. Standing here, the sea swells below and the wind whips around you. Portugal's equivalent of Shakespeare, LuisVaz de Camocs, once described it as the place "where the earth ends
and the sea begins".