The cobbled streets of Cascais’ old town along with its creamy Portuguese beaches have ensured it’s a longstanding favourite for those seeking a high-quality break. Best of all, it’s just an hour from Lisbon and accessible via train, so makes for a perfect twin-stay holiday. The fishing town offers multiple watersports on the Atlantic coast, green parks, boutique shopping and some excellent fish restaurants. It’s also home to Santini, often cited as the best ice-cream parlour in Portugal. Here are some of our top picks for hotels in Cascais.
The Farol Hotel
The Farol Hotel flawlessly combines contemporary luxury with the historical allure of a coastal setting with its cliff-top setting. This boutique hotel integrates a 19th-century mansion, previously owned by the Count of Cabral, with striking modern architecture. Just a short walk from the cobblestone paths of Cascais and the picturesque Estoril Coast, the hotel captivates guests with breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views from its outdoor saltwater pool and the On the Rocks bar. Its 33 rooms and suites, some boasting 180-degree ocean vistas, enhance the guest experience. Other features include two dining venues and bars that serve a delicious selection of Mediterranean fusion dishes, inventive sushi, and signature cocktails.
Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel
Located in the stunning Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the Onyria Quinta da Marinha Hotel provides a healthful green outlook with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Mountains. It also provides space for the 18-hole, par 71 golf course covering 5.870 meters that was designed by Robert Trent Jones. Besides this, lies a large curved pool and loungers – a further pool is found indoors, in the spa area. The five-star property was refurbished in 2020, taking its decorative inspiration from the surrounding nature. Its Five Pines Restaurant serves gourmet cuisine, with live music on offer in the Trent Jones bar.
Sheraton Cascais Resort
Another top choice for golfers, this 149 bedroom family-friendly resort is close to many excellent courses. It has a huge pool, divided into two sections (heated and ambient), each separated by a meandering wooden walkway. Pair plates with creative cocktails at Kyma and eat seafood at The Glass Terrace Restaurant. There are lots of activities for kids, including an outdoor play area with wooden teepees, a dedicated club during the school holidays and an animation team. And adults can take some time out in the Serenity Spa. A free shuttle bus escorts guests to the bay area, where many more activities can be arranged.
InterContinental Cascais – Estoril
Outside-in architecture with lots of glass creates a modern upscale look at the IHG resort, with whites and blues reflecting its waterside location. The seaside theme is continued in the Atlântico Bar & Restaurant, whose menus heavily feature fish and shellfish. The Lobby Lounge is the setting for a buffet breakfast (cooked items can also be ordered). Every room in the sleek hotel has a balcony or a terrace and dedicated workspace, while bathrooms have chromotherapy showers (some include jacuzzi tubs too). There are two pools, one beside the ocean and the other inside the Elemis spa.
The Albatroz Hotel
This boutique hotel is minutes from all of Cascais’ main attractions via pedestrianised streets, yet it feels surprisingly off the beaten track. Originally erected in the 19th century, intended as a palace residence, it has been extended and an extra Italian annexe added. Its cliffside setting provides dramatic views – Albatroz, the fine dining restaurant sits right beside the ocean, with a stunning outlook and a bar/lounge area perfect for watching the sunset, drink in hand. The hotel has 51 individually designed nautical-style bedrooms, a pool with wooden loungers, a yoga deck, a small fitness suite and cookery classes.