The rugged coastline of the Algarve is one of Europe’s best holiday destinations but Portugal offers far more than just a beach holiday.
From wine tasting in the Douro Valley or the Alentejo region to the fantastic restaurants and quaint streets of Lisbon to the laidback luxe coastline of Comporta, here is our pick of the best hotels in Portugal.
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Six Senses Douro Valley
From the quaint meandering pathways that lead you to its doors, to the truly breathtaking views as you enter the hotel to the stylish rooms and the lovely pool, the Six Senses Douro Valley is a stunning hotel.
The converted 19th-century manor house is positioned high on a hill overlooking the vine-covered rolling hills of the Douro Valley and the river below.
The large spa, which has 10 treatment rooms and an indoor pool offers all the signature Six Senses spa experiences.
Follow this up with a wine tasting in the hotel’s extensive wine library or, better still, take your wine outside and sit by the stunning pool with glorious views of the Douro Valley.
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
Half way between Lisbon and the Algarve coast, you’ll come across the sparsely populated flatlands of the Alentejo region.
The Alentejo is home to some of the most beautiful villages in Portugal and some divine wine, making it an excellent destination for a holiday.
Strolling through sun-soaked olive groves and vineyards, indulging in local delicacies and losing yourself in small town charm, you’ll feel thousands of miles from the buzzing streets of the capital that sits just north.
Stay at the stunning Herdade da Malhadhina Nova, a family-run gem of a hotel with exquisite food and wine (they produce their own wine and olive oil), gorgeous grounds and a fabulous infinity pool with views of the vineyards.
A wine tasting and dinner with the owners in their cellars is a particularly magical experience here and those who love horses can take a tour of the estate on horseback.
Santa Clara 1728, Lisbon
More of a private house than a hotel, Santa Clara 1728 is the chicest place you could possibly call home in Lisbon.
Featuring 6 bedrooms that are the size of apartments, the design is minimalist using the very best materials.
The design feels effertlessly stylish and the bathrooms are exquisite (that bath is heavenly).
Breakfast is the only meal offered but with the city’s best restaurants and bars only a short walk away, this is nothing to worry about.
Grand House Algarve
Situated in the Algarve’s eastern most corner, across the river from Spain, Grand House is a stunning Belle Époque hotel, a revived Grand Dame that received a new lease of life, becoming the first five-star hotel in the historical town of Vila Real de Santo António.
The stunning property is in the centre of the town with prime water front position and views, with its own beach club a short shuttle away.
The Yeatman, Porto
The Yeatman’s biggest asset is its location and the view this offers over Porto.
Situated a 15 minute walk from the old town of Porto on the other side of the river Douro, the views of Porto’s historic buildings are resplendent, particularly on a sunny day with the river glistening in front of you.
The hotel is designed in terraced layers imitating the vineyards of the Douro Valley from which The Yeatman takes inspiration; the wine-making history of Porto and the surrounding area is reflected throughout the hotel.
The Yeatman hotel is an excellent base from which to explore the city of Porto or to combine with a visit to the Douro Valley and its vineyards.
Sublime Comporta
Nestled on a stunning 17 hectare estate, surrounded by umbrella pines and cork trees, wild sand dunes, rice fields and over 60km of pristine, white-sand beaches is Sublime Comporta – a magical, unspoiled place yet to be discovered.
Only one hour from Lisbon with great food and wine, Sublime Comporta offers a combination of tranquility and simplicity and a real sense of getting away from it all.
Keep reading our guide to the best hotels in Portugal.
São Lourenço do Barrocal
São Lourenço do Barrocal is a boutique hotel in the Alentejo region, sitting on a vast estate that has been in the same family for over 200 years.
Set on a 780-hectare estate of meadows, olive groves and vineyards, Sao Lourenco do Barrocal offers a wealth of activities, from horseback riding to spa treatments, family picnics and bike rides.
There are 22 rooms, 2 suites, a cottage with one-bedroom, 13 cottages with two-bedrooms and 2 cottages with three-bedrooms; all of which have private terraces.
One 20-metre outdoor pool for adults and a 15-metre pool for families sit close to each other in the hotel’s grounds in view from the excellent restaurant and bar.
Sintra / Estoril / Cascais
About an hour outside Lisbon you’ll find the historic town of Sintra, on the northern side of the Sintra Mountains, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend some time exploring the town’s charming streets and shops before making your way to the top of the mountain to visit the 16th-century Capuchos Monastery before heading back to your resort for the laidback luxury of Penha Longa, a Ritz Carlton hotel (pictured above).
To be closer to the sea, visit the fashionable fishing village of Cascais or the resort town of Estoril and stay at the Intercontinental Cascais-Estoril.
Facing the Atlantic Ocean, this clean-lined, contemporary, 59-room hotel has white-on-white interiors and breezy open spaces with ocean views.
Belmond Reid’s Palace
Belmond Reid’s Palace sits on the cliffs in Madeira overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Traditional interiors celebrating the hotel’s British heritage look onto lush gardens, the swimming pools, and the sea beyond.
For dinner, Michelin starred William Restaurant led by Executive Chef Luis Pestana is a destination in its own or try Villa Cipriani, the informal Italian restaurant.
There are 3 pools, 2 of which are heated plus 1 tidal pool, 2 tennis courts and a spa with 5 treatment rooms.
While excellently located to explore the local area, the truly stunning grounds are the biggest attraction, which will mesmorise you along with this view of the sea.
Conrad Algarve
Situated in Quinta do Lago, the Conrad Algarve is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches, world-class golf courses, fantastic shopping, Michelin star dining, and much more.
The 154-room hotel in the Algarve has chef Heinz Beck at the helm of one-Michelin-starred Gusto, which focuses on Mediterranean cuisine, and The Conrad Spa is an oasis of calm with world class treatments.
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