Hotel Mundial in Lisbon has begun the second phase of a major renovation designed by architecture practice Broadway Malyan. The project continues the requalification of the Baixa Pombalina landmark, which first opened in 1958.
The first phase, recently completed, transformed the ground floor with a new main entrance, reception, lobby and lounge areas. The redesign drew inspiration from the hotel’s 1960s heritage while incorporating modern materials, natural light and biophilic elements intended to connect guests with their surroundings.
The updated ground floor also features the Maximinus Bar and Lounge, which hotel operator PHC Hotels said has become a popular meeting point for guests and local residents. The reconfigured layout links directly to the Varanda de Lisboa restaurant and the Rooftop Bar Mundial, two of the hotel’s long-established venues overlooking the Castle of São Jorge and the River Tagus.
The ongoing second phase focuses on the first floor, where a new meetings and events centre is being built. The area will include eight rooms with natural light and integrated technology, along with the 28 Restaurante & Terraço, designed to accommodate both corporate and social functions. The hotel remains open throughout the works.
Further refurbishment of guest rooms is planned for 2026, aimed at enhancing comfort and design while maintaining the property’s period character. PHC Hotels said the updates will “set a new standard of sophistication” for the historic city-centre property.
Architect Margarida Caldeira, head of Broadway Malyan’s Lisbon studio, said: “Reimagining Hotel Mundial has been about honouring its unique place in Lisbon’s story while shaping an experience that feels contemporary and timeless. From the lobby to the guest rooms, we wanted to create a guest experience that is surprising, sensory and deeply connected to its surroundings.
“Every ceiling, surface and texture tells a story, drawing on Portuguese materials such as Burel to bring warmth and craft, layering them with artwork that nods to the hotel’s 1960s heritage and its bold, irreverent spirit.”
According to PHC Hotels managing director, Miguel Andrade, the company’s goal is to “give back to the city a hotel that is not just a place to stay, but a place to experience Lisbon in all its authenticity and energy”.
When complete, the requalification is expected to strengthen Hotel Mundial’s role as a multifunctional venue for tourism and events in Lisbon’s historic centre.
