Hotel Review: MYRIAD BY SANA, LISBON
The Myriad by Sana is a towering, majestic building with a compelling location by Lisbon’s Tagus River (I have to say this is a really long and wide river, similar to Egypt’s Nile). It’s no small wonder that the property is part of the prestigious Preferred Hotels & Resorts Group. Featuring 186 rooms, the hotel is uniquely designed in the shape of a ship with a ballooning sail, moreover, ensconced within the Torre (Tower) Vasco da Gama, it’s awash with natural light throughout.
The lobby has plenty of scattered seating in the form of circular, pale silver-grey chairs complemented by compelling, pigeon blood ruby and black cushions; a very striking colour combination for a hotel to opt for and – it works! There’s also an atrium roof that features a series of cascading chandeliers in differing sizes. But of course, the showstopper piece is this gorgeous, brazenly scarlet piano designed by Elton John that occupies pride of place in the lobby.
All rooms are designed to have the bed aesthetically placed actually facing the windows so that one has a panoramic view of the river. For once, I find a hotel has the television placed extremely sensibly on a stand facing the bed, at perfect eye level. Twin bedded rooms have two cosy workstations tucked away behind each headboard, with the pedestal TV in the centre of both beds. The walls are done up in pale, silvery grey, with crimson carpeting. A circular wall mirror, a round table and two semi-circular chairs complete the look. Although it’s a seamless one-room with an open bathroom concept, a curtain has been provided should one wish for privacy.
Suites have the sofa and armchairs in the living space upholstered in a soft velvety fawn, with the predominant red in the scattered cushions as well as lamps. These rooms also have a four-seater dining table in black glass. There’s a large-screen TV here and another in the bedroom. The bathroom is quite spacious, with his-and-her washbasins in black, a walk-in wardrobe with a round settee, a shower cubicle as well as a bathtub.
Adding a fun, unusual element to the room decor is an egg-shaped, hanging chair swing placed strategically by the window in all rooms, with cushions in the same pigeon blood ruby hue. Other amenities include an electronic safe, large-screen TV, tea/coffee maker, four complimentary glass bottles of drinking water (tap water is potable, i.e. safe to drink), hairdryer, small steam iron and Collection Lalique toiletries. In a rather thoughtful touch, there were some vegetable juices, a cold cuts platter and a chocolate selection awaiting my pleasure as well.
F&B options include the all-day dining, 60-covers River Lounge, one of the trendiest city terraces overlooking the Tagus. Despite the morning breakfast rush, the service is unhurried yet efficient. Lots of variety in breads, cakes, fresh juices, nuts and cereals.
Weather permitting, the outside deck is also available for table service. The River Lounge Bar can accommodate 40-pax while snacks and drinks can also be served on the patio outside the lobby, in the smoking area. Furthermore, the Myriad by Sana is justifiably proud of the 34-pax Michelin-starred Fifty Seconds, bookings for which have to be made four months in advance! This restaurant, done up in metallic copper lights offset by chairs in navy blue and carpeting in a sand-pale blue combination, offers only a Tasting Menu of between 11-14 dishes (priced between 195-235€), featuring lobster, shrimp, crab, octopus, seabass, lamb and a couple of desserts.
Although Sud Lisboa Terrazza is not on the hotel premises, it’s a unique dining concept initiated by the owners of Myriad by Sana and hence, guests are welcome to dine here.
Sud Lisboa is also along the river Tagus, a short walk from Torre Belem, with an absolutely spectacular view of the glittering 25 de Abril bridge. The name ‘Sud’ takes its inspiration from Southern hotspots famed for a relaxed, languid lifestyle, such as St Tropez, Marbella, Ibiza and suchlike and therefore, the menu is Mediterranean and Italian.
With 214 covers all told, the lower hall is divided into two parts: a classic, elegant, fine dining theme with brown leather chairs and wooden tables, with the other section being more informal dining, characterised by fuchsia lighting and cascading vine shoots.
A male singer walks around the tables gently crooning some soft numbers, while on Friday evenings guests can experience dance shows such as tango, flamenco and suchlike.
An unusual staircase carved in wood and metal takes one to the upper level; mid-way, there’s a DJ station. Upstairs, there’s a hip and trendy lounge atmosphere with a live band as well as another DJ station while outside, one can enjoy an infinity pool overlooking the river.
Celebrities enjoy coming to Sud Lisboa because it’s a non-intrusive dining experience (no paparazzi; and the Portuguese are too well-behaved to act fanstruck), so you could well be dining cheek-by-jowl with the likes of Cindy Crawford, Monica Bellucci, Julio Iglesias Jr, or even – the President of Portugal! (Psst…George Clooney’s bought a pad in Lisbon as well!)
For a sublime relaxation experience, head to Sayana Wellness and Spa featuring four treatment rooms (one couple), separate male/female locker and toilet facilities (including a thoughtfully provided toilet for disabled guests), a steam room, a newly installed sauna with glorious river views, an indoor, heated swimming pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. The pool area is charmingly done up with chair hammocks and loungers in pale blue cushions on black wicker, with the soothing sound of rushing water in the background. The couple treatment room is a real treat – not only does it have a jacuzzi and Turkish steam bath, there’s also a hot salt pool!
An interesting detail is that the hotel operates the Babylon 360° rooftop bar in the Torre Vasco da Gama. Entry is not free for hotel guests or tourists; the ticket charges are 10€ in the day; post 6PM, it’s 15€ per head, which covers minimum consumption. I may add that there’s very tight security maintained at the Torre and one can’t enter the lift without a security detail accompanying one.
And if you’re still looking for more recreational options, join the General Manager for a run along the promenade every Tuesday at 7.30AM!
Convention facilities include three rooms, namely, Amethyst, Crystal and Quartz, that can accommodate 16-pax each buffet style, while the foyer area outside them can take 200-pax cocktail style. Further, the 7Arts room can accommodate 640-pax cocktail style; this room can be partitioned into seven smaller spaces (Wright/Rodin/Pessoa/Fellini/Ellington/Dali/Astaire) that can each seat 50-pax theatre style, with the outside patio being used for coffee breaks. There’s also a small Business Centre near the entrance. There is free wifi throughout the hotel.
Now for feedback regarding the teams and services: As a single woman traveller (especially) in Lisbon, you can’t do better than opt for the Myriad by Sana! The Front Office (shout-out to Beatriz and Daniel) as well as F&B teams are extremely helpful and friendly in ensuring one is comfortable. Sofia, the restaurant hostess, is very friendly and took great care of me. (Incidentally, staff across these teams speak fluent English.)
Housekeeping service is unobtrusive, while the bed is one of the most comfortable hotel beddings I’ve ever slept in; I usually end up with a neck-ache, but the pillows at the Myriad by Sana are just that right blend of softness/firmness, clearly proving that great care has been taken to address this point. The boiler and AC/heating systems are reasonably efficient; the heating’s a little slow to kick in.
My suggestions would be to incorporate minor adjustments, such as having towel hooks in the bathroom, as well as adjusting the rather awkward angle of the magnifying mirror. I also find the toilet space very cramped; with the WC and bidet facing each other one is rather apt to knock one’s knees somewhat. However, the Myriad by Sana is going in for extensive renovations soon which ought to be complete by the end of this year and which may address several such factors.
I set out one blustery, rainy morning to stroll through the Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) and its Jardim Garcia de Orta.
Meandering along, I came across the colourful Lince Ibérico sculpture made of scrap and recycled materials. The Parque das Nações is a redeveloped area by the Tagus River (cable car rides are possible) and offers a range of waterfront restaurants, the Lisbon Oceanarium and the Centro Vasco da Gama with a variety of shopping, including a hypermarket (the Oriente train station is just opposite the mall). Other must-visits are to the Torre de Belem and the Vasco da Gama sculpture; the 25 de Abril bridge overlooking these is an exquisite engineering feat! Apart from this, head to the Old Town area of Bairro Alto, Chiado and Alfama. Lisbon is characterised by its Art and you’ll find unusual sculptures as well as street art as you walk along.
Undoubtedly, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most coveted tourist destinations and therefore, almost all major airlines fly into the city, including LCC carriers such as RyanAir. From the airport, you can take bus numbers 705, 744 or 750 which connect you to Parque das Nações; the Myriad by Sana is a short walk away. Alternatively, take the metro on the red line and get off at Oriente station, which is within walking distance from the hotel. You can, of course, take a taxi or ask the hotel for an airport pick-up service.
