My mum and I were thrilled to stay in Alexandra’s fabulous apartment on a recent short break in Lisbon. Balancing the sort of luxurious modernity you’d expect of a high-end boutique hotel with enough individual, local touches to add a real sense of place and character, the apartment feels bright and spacious thanks to some ingenious architectural wizardry. With all the comforts of home (and one of the comfiest sofa beds I’ve ever snoozed in), it makes the perfect base to explore this charming, cool city. Step outside the apartment door (and I challenge you not to stop at the wonderful chocolate shop) and you’re minutes walk from more great restaurants, hip bars, culture and history than you can possibly take in.. but that’s OK, because you’re going to come back soon, right? Although we didn’t meet Alexandra in person, she was a pleasure to deal with virtually and despatched the super-friendly Diogo to let us in and help out with some great insider tips. To Alexandra: thanks hugely for having us, big apologies for the accidental key-napping, and hope to stay with you again in the future. To everyone else: book this place, it’s perfect.