Guided run offers a lisboeta's perspective of the capital

Inspira Santa Marta Hotel, a stylish 89-room boutique retreat in the heart of Lisbon, has launched a guided jog for city-breakers who are keen to keep up their fitness regime while enjoying a different view of Portugal's capital.

The running tours will be led by knowledgeable, local personal trainers who will put visitors through their paces while offering a lisboeta's take on the city. Guests will be able to orientate themselves in the landscape while also learning about local history and culture and taking in famous and lesser-known sights. They'll even get some great insider tips on where to eat and drink.

Joggers on the circular tours, which will start and end at the hotel, will pass through Lisbon's historic neighbourhoods, including Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, and Terreiro do Paço, the grand square on the banks of the Tagus. Routes can also be tailored to guests' requirements and easier one-hour or more challenging two-hour runs are available. The invigorating experience will be complemented by a restorative 30-minute massage in The Retreat, the hotel's spa.

“I live in Lisbon, yet even I discovered aspects of the city I didn't know about when I tried one of these runs,” says Nicolas Roucos, general manager. “We're always looking to recommend interesting new ways to explore the city, in keeping with the innovative spirit of our hotel, so I'm really pleased to be able to offer this fun activity to guests.”

The Guided Jog Package costs €412 (£303) and includes two nights' B&B for two in a double room and a guided jog and restorative 30-minute massage for one person. The second guest may also book online to join the guided jog for €55 (£40), including a massage.

More about Inspira Santa Marta Hotel
Inspira Santa Marta Hotel is a chic urban retreat set in a quiet quarter close to the centre of Lisbon, just off the Avenida da Liberdade. Beyond the hotel's 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 liveable 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 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 fair-trade 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 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.

Inspira Santa Marta has outstanding green credentials, from its energy-saving systems, to its rigorously audited supply chain and its committed support of several community projects at home and abroad. Consequently, it has won many accolades, including Best Sustainable Hotel in Portugal in the 2013/14 International Hotel Awards.

Double rooms with breakfast cost from €130/£95 per night, subject to availability.

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

To request images or further information, and to enquire about press visits, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk.