Best Design Hotels in Portugal

The One Palácio da Anunciada is an exclusive 5-star hotel set in the Baixa district in the heart of Lisbon. Its elegant design showcases the history of the original 16th-century building in which it is set, and award-winning designer Jaime Beriestain intertwines a contemporary style to create a unique ambience Comprising 83 tasteful rooms (of which 11 are junior suites and two are suites) guests have their own sanctuary of neutral tones and high-quality material and traditional Portuguese finishing touches. The hotel is home to Despacio Spa at The One – a tranquil spa (with treatments available|) that overlooks the hotel’s extensive gardens and a 24-hour fitness centre is onsite for the more energetic guests. The noble rooms of the original palace have been beautifully transformed into a selection of refined dining spaces for guests to use at their leisure. Traditional Portuguese market cuisine with a Mediterranean influence can be enjoyed in the more formal restaurant whilst cocktails, wine and light bites are served at the chic wine bar which has direct access to the extensive palace gardens. The One Palácio da Anunciada is the ideal place to relax and recharge after a day discovering Lisbon.

Hotel Pátio do Tijolo, offers a unique experience combining traditional Lisbon charm with modern, contemplative living. Ideally situated between the vibrant Bairro Alto and the authentic Príncipe Real neighbourhoods, this 24-room boutique hotel is a tranquil refuge for travellers. Its design prioritises shared spaces, including a lush courtyard, a kitchen, and the Loureiro salon, perfect for socialising with friends, meeting other guests or simply enjoying some time to just be. Embracing the “slow life” philosophy, the hotel showcases natural products, sustainable construction, and integration with Lisbon’s architectural heritage, featuring warm limestone exteriors, Lioz marble hues, and Pombaline-inspired facades. The interior, designed by Natalia Tubella and Carina Seelig’s Base Geométrica team, blends serene interiors with contemporary design elements, organic materials, and local art. Guest rooms offer views of the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril bridge, complemented by a garden that presents both a tropical and Mediterranean vibe, contributing to local biodiversity.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has added Convent Square Lisbon, Vignette Collection, to its expanding Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, making it the second-largest in the world. Located in the heart of Lisbon, this 121-room hotel is the second Vignette Collection property in Europe and the sixth to join IHG’s first collection brand. Convent Square Lisbon beautifully combines history and hospitality, transforming a 13th-century Dominican convent into a serene haven in the lively Baixa neighbourhood. The Vignette Collection emphasises individuality within a family of like-minded hotels, offering travellers a more authentic and sustainable luxury experience. Memorable Rituals unique to each property connect guests with local culture, and Means For Good initiatives promote a positive impact in the community. The hotel features modern amenities while preserving its historic charm, and it offers diverse dining options. Guests can easily explore Lisbon’s rich cultural offerings within walking distance.

The coastal town of Cascais in Portugal has added a new jewel to its crown with the opening of the Legacy Hotel Cascais, Curio Collection by Hilton. This luxurious boutique hotel, featuring 59 exquisitely designed rooms, captures the essence of Cascais’ royal heritage as a summer retreat for European nobility since King Louis I’s reign in 1890. Strategically located 28 km from Lisbon, it provides a perfect base for exploring the historical and cultural treasures of the region, including the vibrant old town, pristine beaches, and notable attractions like the Conde de Castro Guimaraes Museum and Boca do Inferno. The hotel’s contemporary elegance is showcased through modern furnishings and rooms with ocean-view balconies, complemented by amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and a fitness centre. Culinary delights await at Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890, which combines Italian and Portuguese flavours.

While many resorts here border the beach, this 19th-century casa feels more like a mansion home, both in terms of its location (within the city’s winding streets) and ambience. It has just 34 bedrooms all set around a kitchen garden, a triangle-shaped pool and a courtyard, flanked by Lagos’ ancient fortifications. Its amenities include a restaurant Orta, a yoga room, a spa (with a rooftop lap pool, a hammam and a relaxation room), an outdoor cinema and a chic boutique. Casa Mãe’s owner has infused much of the style of his homeland (France) into the decor, in collaboration with interior designer Martin Blanchard.

Occupying a former 17th-century convent the Locke de Santa Joana seamlessly blends Lisbon’s rich past with the present. The hotel’s interior is light and historical, with intricate mosaics and preserved features from the original building giving the hotel a unique flair. The Locke’s 370 serviced apartments pay homage to traditional Portuguese design aspects and are bathed in natural light which makes them the perfect place for guests who wish to relax in the stunning Portuguese capital. The Locke is home to an outdoor swimming pool, private courtyard, meeting space and gym. The Locke boasts its own Café which serves exceptional coffees and pastries in a stunning and relaxing space. The hotel’s restaurant, Santa Maria, serves delicious Mediterranean dishes in its open and relaxed environment.

You can rest or play at W, although it’s advisable to leave the work behind and make the most of the vibe here. Opening its doors in the summer of 2022, this new W provides sea-view bedrooms to a backdrop of golden cliffs and has a stunning feature pool set across two levels, with a waterfall. If you’d rather swim in the ocean, it’s just a 15-minute walk away, or yards to the nearest bus stop to explore further afield. Dine on Portuguese or Italian cuisine (there are two serving the former and one serving the latter), relax in a hanging chair or on a day bed and book a range of treatments in the spa.

A comfortable stroll from the delights of Funchal’s Old Town, this striking hotel occupies the site that was once the Savoy Hotel. Guests are met by the unusual curved exterior and welcomed with modern interiors by designer Nini Andrade Silva. Bedroom balconies proffer ocean views, as does the rooftop lounge and the terraced gardens. There are several swimming pools, including one, especially for younger families and a stunning infinity pool. The Laurea Spa includes a glitzy champagne nail bar and a hydrotherapy suite. Dining takes place poolside at the alfresco Alameda, in one of two chic buffet restaurants, in the Jacaranda Lounge, or with a view at Galáxia Skyfood & Skybar. And entertainment is offered alongside drinks at Vimes bar.

Just outside of Porto, on the coast, is Vila Foz Hotel & Spa. Designed by Nina Andrade da Silva, it’s housed in a 19th-century villa with rooms in the main building and a newer wing. Those preferring a more modern feel should opt for the latter, while the original spaces offer stucco ceilings and hardwood floors – both have Maison Codage bath products. Airport transfers are by the hotel’s vintage Rolls-Royce, personal trainers take guests on runs, bikes are available for use and there’s a complimentary shuttle bus into the city. This was the neighbourhood’s first five-star residence, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and ornate interiors with the prolific use of onyx.

Where the Atlantic breeze whispers through towering pines, Sublime Comporta emerges as a sanctuary of understated luxury. This 17-acre haven blends seamlessly with its wild surroundings with guest accommodation ranging from intimate rooms to expansive cabana villas with private pools. Wellness unfolds with nurturing treatments at Sublime Spa, inspirational beachside horse treks along deserted shores to exhilarating games of tennis. Signature dining is at Sem Porta restaurant, and the captivating Food Circle experience is a summer treat, while moments away, the resort’s Beach Club provides Atlantic fish and seafood on sun-splashed terraces.

Sublime Lisboa delivers a residential-style boutique experience in the Portuguese capital’s leafy Amoreiras neighbourhood. This early 20th-century townhouse offers 15 individually designed rooms and suites decorated by Rita Andringa, whose chic style creates spaces with genuine character. The property feels more like a private residence than a hotel, with a library salon filled with art books and storied objects. At Davvero restaurant, contemporary Italian cuisine draws both savvy travellers and discerning locals, while guests enjoy access to nearby Club 7 with its gym, spa, and tennis courts. Understated, elegant, and refreshingly genuine – it’s simply sublime.

Set on the south bank of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia, Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel combines the storied legacy of Kopke—the world’s oldest Port wine house—with Tivoli’s signature Portuguese hospitality. This 149-room hotel occupies restored Kopke cellars and spans 20,000 sqm arranged across terraces inspired by the Douro Valley vineyards, offering sweeping views of Porto and the Luís I Bridge. Interiors blend contemporary industrial style with rich tones and historic photography, paying homage to Port wine heritage. Gastronomy is led by Michelin-starred Chef Nacho Manzano with two standout venues: 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar, offering an 11-course tasting menu, and Boa Vista Terrace, ideal for Atlantic-inspired casual dining. A seasonal Sky Bar Kopke serves creative Port cocktails. Guests can enjoy a Tivoli Spa with wine-based treatments, an outdoor heated pool, and gardens with a Roman walking path. With 1,750 sqm of meeting space and a dedicated art collection, the hotel is a cultural and culinary destination in its own right.