Lisbon, 13 July 2016: As the Tall Ships Race sails into Lisbon in its 60th anniversary year, Inspira Santa Marta Hotel (+351 210 440 900; www.inspirahotels.com) is welcoming visitors looking for a shore-side base, keen to get a closer view of these giants of the sea and discover the city's rich marine heritage.

From 22-25 July, the vast sails and masts of more than 40 of these magnificent craft will fill the skies in Lisbon's harbour, the original destination of the 1956 race. Visitors will be able to go on board the ships and enjoy family-friendly entertainment on the quayside, including concerts, DJs and firework displays.

As the Atlantic gateway to Europe, Lisbon has plenty more marine history to discover, from the Belem Tower, built in the 16th century to defend the Tagus river, to the Monument to the Discoveries (above right), the 20th-century sculpture celebrating Portugal's age of discovery, when this nation dominated the high seas. And the Maritime Museum tells the in-depth story of the city's connection with the sea down the centuries.

The 1956 Tall Ships Race, which sailed from Torbay in Devon to Lisbon, spawned races and regattas across the world, drawing hundreds of ships and millions of spectators over the decades. It is run by the non-profit organisation Sail Training International, a former Nobel Peace Prize nominee dedicated to offering sail training to young people to promote international understanding and friendship.

Inspira Santa Marta offers rooms from €141 (£120) per night during the event in its Summer Deal, including 20% off spa treatments, access to the wellness centre, Wi-Fi, global news service, in-room tea, coffee and filtered water, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.

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

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Notes to editors

Inspira Santa Marta Hotel 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 Wi-Fi, 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.

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