Former brothel in Lisbon becomes a luxury hotel that rescues the memory of prostitutes – 11/27/2023 – Now

The history of one of Lisbon’s most traditional brothels and the memory of its former residents are the theme behind a new luxury hotel project: Madam’s Lounge.

The madam who gives the space its name was the brothel’s administrator in the 1960s and one of the notable figures in the Portuguese capital at that time.

The hotel is integrated into Pensão Amor, one of Lisbon’s most famous nightlife bars, whose concept also references the building’s red-light past.

The building, located on the Instagrammable Rua Nova do Carvalho (better known as Rua Cor de Rosa due to the vibrant paint applied to the street), underwent extensive renovation to house the hotel project.

There are 22 rooms, all with different decor, each with references to the lives of the many women who made a living by charging for sexual relations.

In a mix of historical portrait with hints of fiction, the guest is introduced to names such as Conceição Mestra do Tesão, Rita Engatadeira, Rosa Bandida and Raquel Gulosa. The burlesque atmosphere begins at the reception, which simulates the room of a luxury European brothel from the last century.

In addition to the themed decoration, in some cases with original objects found in the former brothel building itself, the rooms also have an exclusive QR code, where it is possible to delve deeper into the mysteries of the characters.

“There is also a very serious research work here, which allowed us to arrive at these stories. We want to show a little of what is hidden behind this much talked about ‘prostitute’ label”, says Roger Mor, creative director and creator of the concept of project.

The material that supports the biographies and the hotel’s conception was collected by Roger Mor over the years, in an initiative that began with the creation of a play about the time when the dictator António Salazar (1889-1970) banned prostitution: “Alice in Brothel Country”.

Until the beginning of the 1960s, sex workers could work in Portugal as “registered”: that is, registered with the authorities and complying with a series of rules, with the right to even have a registration booklet.

The rooms also tell a little about the history and customs of Portugal at that time. Many of the women arrived at the brothels after being approached by so-called pickers.

“These couples existed because, basically, the lady couldn’t expose herself. So, the couples went to the train stations. They had printed cards and, at the same time, they promoted the house [com os homens]they were recruiting new girls, who arrived from the provinces and didn’t know anyone in the city”, details the creative director.

Although the building has an elevator, the building’s stairs are also an attraction. The walls are adorned with paintings by Nuno Saraiva, one of Portugal’s best-known illustrators.

The colorful images, with humorous touches and explicit sexuality, complement the references to the characters presented in the rooms.

Located right in the epicenter of Lisbon’s nightlife, the project has yet another difference to please the party crowd: check out at 2pm, two hours later than usual in other hotels in the city.

The room key is also used for guests to “jump the queue” to enter the Pensão Amor bar, one of the city’s weekend hotspots.

Daily rates start at 150 euros (R$805) and you must be over 16 years old to stay.

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