Inspira Santa Marta Hotel (+351 210 440 900; www.inspirahotels.com) is proving it's ahead of the game with its visionary approach to the guest experience. The Lisbon hotel's innovative design and philosophy reflects the city's status as an emerging global creative hub.

Hot on the heels of its recognition as the EU's European Entrepreneurial Region 2015, Lisbon will be the new home of Europe's largest technology conference, the Web Summit, this November, which is now open for registration. The world's most important gathering of start-ups moves from Dublin to the Portuguese capital later this year.

Inspira Santa Marta itself has been recognised for its cutting-edge leadership in eco-friendly business practices and green technology with multiple international prizes. The hotel, which opened in 2010, is currently on the shortlist for the Earth Changers category of the National Geographic World Legacy Awards, to be announced in March.

Nicolas Roucos, general manager, said: "Our mission is to 'engage the senses' of our customers, appealing through the hotel's feng shui philosophy to their inner sense of harmony, while offering a range of services that cater to healthy tendencies and dynamic lifestyles. Meanwhile, through our operations we strive to reduce our impact on the environment and make a difference to the welfare of our society through our social initiatives."  

Inspira Santa Marta Hotel offers rooms from €85 (£66) per night, subject to availability.

More about Inspira Santa Marta Hotel

Inspira Santa Marta is set in a quiet quarter close to the centre of Lisbon, just off the Avenida da Liberdade. Beyond its sympathetically restored 18th-century façade, a radical reinterpretation of four buildings has resulted in a cool, contemporary interior with a soaring atrium at its heart. The vast open-plan space, home to the hotel's reception, restaurant, bar, and lounge areas, is set against the backdrop of a sweeping staircase, which leads to the spa. 

The hotel is inspired by the Chinese philosophy of feng shui, which informs the design of the common areas, bedrooms and suites; guests can request a room that reflects their birth sign. The styling also beautifully accords with the five elements – water, earth, wood, fire and metal – through the tasteful choice of colours, patterns and materials for the modish décor, fabrics and furniture.

The cleverly designed 89 bedrooms and suites enable guests to move seamlessly through their day. The rooms centre on supremely comfortable beds, with eye-catching integrated shower rooms in the bedrooms and more luxurious open-plan spa bathrooms in some suites. Generous storage areas, smart task- and mood-lighting options, ergonomic desks, and comfy armchairs to relax in all come as standard, as do flat-screen TVs, plug-and-play technology, free WiFi, online newspapers, complimentary toiletries, bathrobes and Fairtrade tea and coffee.

In the hotel's light and airy 80-seat restaurant, Open Brasserie, chef João Silva's team creates Portuguese cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Fresh, seasonal ingredients – organic and sustainably sourced where possible – are transformed into dishes such as codfish loin from the Portuguese coast served with asparagus, fried egg, potato sticks and sun-dried tomato. Open Brasserie is also the only restaurant in Lisbon certified gluten-free and menus include both vegetarian and vegan options. The Urban Bar provides a convivial space, with an open fire in winter, for sipping the country's fine ports and wines as well as other drinks. There's an adjacent games room, too, where guests can shoot some pool.

Rare among its four-star competitors in the city, Inspira Santa Marta also has a sleek spa, The ReTreat, managed by Ritualspa. Also designed according to feng shui philosophy, this peaceful place has a wellness area with six individual and double rooms for treatments and beauty therapies, plus a tea room for post-treatment relaxation. Features include Vichy water and colour therapies and Elemis is the product of choice. Guests also have access to a well-equipped gym.

Contact:www.inspirahotels.com, +351 210 440 900. Follow: Twitter @inspira_hotels; facebook.com/InspiraHotels, pinterest.com/inspirahotel, YouTube, and Google+.

For further information, hi-res images, or to arrange press trips, please email: travelnews@lbbcreative.co.uk. Alternatively, contact Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.

ENDS