The Verse

Located on one of Lisbon’s most captivating and historic streets, Rua de São Bento, close to the neighborhoods of Estrela and Santos, The Verse Hotel is a five-star boutique hotel featuring 15 sophisticated serviced apartments.

The historic building at Rua de São Bento 39 once housed the photography studio of photographer João Camacho Pereira in the mid-20th century. Now integrated within a renovated structure designed by architect Carrilho da Graça, The Verse Hotel distinguishes itself through its contemporary comfort and refined elegance. Studio Astolfi led the Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Decoration, and Art Curation, shaping a project defined by both cosmopolitan character and artisanal detail.

Every corner of the hotel — from the apartments to the hybrid bar and reception area — reflects Studio Astolfi’s distinctive and slightly irreverent design perspective. Carefully curated details create a layered atmosphere where craft, materiality, and contemporary aesthetics coexist.

From the outset, Studio Astolfi aimed to create a project that conveyed a sense of “portugalidade” — a connection to Portuguese identity — through the use of local materials, traditional techniques, bespoke pieces, and a balance between asymmetry and sophistication. As the building sits within Lisbon’s historic urban fabric, it was important to maintain a traditional sensibility while refining the architectural language with contemporary clarity.

Overall, the project presents itself as elegant, modern, and subtly sumptuous, enriched with surprising finishes and objects — a signature approach that characterizes Studio Astolfi’s interior design work.

One of the studio’s favorite design elements are the custom bed headboards, conceived as a fusion of interior design and art. Incorporating such pieces within a five-star hospitality project highlights the importance of bringing artisanal craftsmanship into contemporary design environments.

Studio Astolfi works predominantly with organic, tactile materials that offer strong visual presence, including wood — particularly oak and walnut — metal, and stone such as pink Lioz, Rojo Alicante, and Verde Viana. Additional materials include microcement, hydraulic tile, and Tosco, a material composed of cement and pigments developed by Tosco Studio.

Upon entering, guests are welcomed by a bespoke table displaying flowers and decorative objects. The arched passages, designed by Studio Astolfi, introduce a sense of depth and spatial layering. To the right sits the bar, which also functions as the reception during the day. This hybrid space can adapt to the hotel’s needs thanks to a modular U-shaped counter. It is the hotel’s only social area, conceived as a flexible and intimate gathering point.