Lisbon has this weird, beautiful habit of mixing the old world with things that look like they fell off a spaceship. You’ve got the Alfama district, which is all crumbling tiles and laundry hanging from balconies, and then you’ve got the Parque das Nações. This is where you’ll find the Myriad by SANA Lisboa. It’s not just a hotel. It’s a 140-meter tall statement of intent that looks like a giant glass sail ready to catch a breeze and drift out into the Tagus River.
Most people see the Vasco da Gama Tower—the iron structure it’s attached to—and think it’s just an observation deck. But honestly, the hotel is the real star here.
Staying at the Myriad by SANA Lisboa is a bit like living in a futuristic lighthouse. It was built long after the 1998 World Expo transformed this part of the city from an industrial wasteland into a high-tech hub. While most tourists huddle in the city center near the Baixa, the savvy ones come out here. Why? Because you get space. You get views that don’t involve staring into your neighbor’s living room. You get the river.
The Reality of Sleeping in a Glass Sail
Let’s talk about the rooms. There are 186 of them. If you’re a fan of minimalism, you’re going to be very happy here. It’s all whites, reds, and grays. It feels clean. Almost clinical, but in a way that makes you feel like you’re in a high-end sci-fi movie.
The windows are the whole point. Since the building is shaped like a curved sail, the views are panoramic. You aren't just looking at the water; you're basically hovering over it. Because the hotel is situated on the eastern edge of the city, the sunrises are aggressive. In a good way. Watching the light hit the Vasco da Gama Bridge—which, by the way, is the longest bridge in the European Union—is a core memory kind of moment.
One thing people get wrong about the Myriad by SANA Lisboa is the location. They think it’s "too far out." It’s really not. You’re ten minutes from the airport. You’re a short walk from the Gare do Oriente, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava and looks like a forest made of white steel. You can hop on a metro and be in the historic center in 20 minutes. But when you come back at night, the noise of the city is gone. It’s just the sound of the wind and the river. It’s peaceful.
Fifty Seconds Above the Water
If you aren't staying at the hotel, you should still go for the food. Or the drinks. Or both.
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Fifty Seconds is the Michelin-starred restaurant at the top of the tower. The name isn’t just a marketing gimmick; it’s literally how long the elevator ride takes to get you up there. Chef Rui Silvestre runs the show now, taking over from Martín Berasategui. It’s high-pressure, high-concept dining. We’re talking about dishes that look like art installations.
But here’s the thing: it’s expensive. Like, "don't look at the bill until after you've had the wine" expensive.
If you want the vibe without the three-figure price tag, go to the River Lounge on the ground floor. It has a terrace that sits right on the boardwalk. You can grab a glass of Portuguese Vinho Verde, watch the runners and cyclists go by, and feel remarkably smug about your life choices. The lounge serves Mediterranean-inspired stuff, but honestly, the beef tartare is usually the winner there.
The Sayanna Wellness Experience
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the spa. It’s on the 23rd floor. Most hotel spas are tucked away in a basement with no windows and too much incense. This one is the opposite.
- There’s an indoor pool that looks out over the Tagus.
- They have a "flotation" room which is basically a sensory deprivation tank.
- The Turkish bath and sauna have actual views.
It’s one of the few places in Lisbon where you can sweat in a sauna while watching massive container ships navigate the river under the bridge. It’s a strange juxtaposition, but it works.
What Most People Miss
The Myriad by SANA Lisboa is part of a larger ecosystem in the Parque das Nações. If you stay here, don’t just stay in the building. You are literally steps away from the Oceanário de Lisboa. This isn't your average aquarium. It was voted the best in the world by TripAdvisor users multiple times. It has a central tank that is so massive you feel like you’re scuba diving without getting wet.
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Then there’s the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, which is great if you have kids or if you’re just a giant nerd who likes interactive science exhibits.
The boardwalk itself stretches for miles. It’s flat, which is a miracle in Lisbon. If you’ve spent any time in the city center, you know that your calves will eventually scream at you from all the hills. Out here? It’s a breeze. You can rent a bike or just walk all the way to the northern end of the park where it gets wilder and less manicured.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, if you want "Old World Charm," this isn't it. Don't go to the Myriad looking for fado singers and dusty wine cellars. Go there because you want to see the modern face of Portugal.
The hotel is a feat of engineering. The way the hotel structure is bolted onto the original 1998 tower is actually pretty fascinating from an architectural standpoint. The tower was originally built for the Expo to symbolize the crow's nest of a 15th-century ship. Adding a luxury hotel to it later could have looked messy, but it actually completed the silhouette.
One nuance to keep in mind: the wind. Because it’s right on the water and the building is so tall, it can get incredibly windy. Sometimes the glass creaks a little. It’s not scary; it’s just a reminder that you’re essentially living in a giant sail.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to book a stay or just visit, here is how to do it right.
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First, request a room on a higher floor. While the views are good everywhere, the perspective changes once you get above the 15th floor. You start to see the curve of the earth over the horizon of the Atlantic. It's worth the extra ask at check-in.
Second, book Fifty Seconds weeks in advance. It’s one of the hardest tables to get in Lisbon. If you can't get in, the River Lounge does a fantastic Sunday Brunch that is much easier to navigate but still gives you that high-end SANA service.
Third, use the boardwalk for your morning run. There is a specific energy in Parque das Nações at 7:00 AM. The mist comes off the river, the bridge is shrouded in clouds, and you have the whole place to yourself before the commuters arrive at the nearby business district.
Finally, check the event calendar. The Altice Arena is right next door. It’s where all the big concerts and tech conferences (like Web Summit) happen. If there’s a major event, the hotel will be packed and the prices will spike. If you aren't there for the event, try to time your visit for a "dead" week to get better rates and a quieter experience.
The Myriad by SANA Lisboa represents a specific type of luxury—one that is airy, bright, and deeply connected to the water. It’s a departure from the traditional Lisbon experience, but for many, it’s the highlight of the trip. Whether you're there for the Michelin-starred food or just to stare out a window at the longest bridge in Europe, it’s a spot that stays with you.