Best Luxury Hotels in Portugal

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.

A grand home that once welcomed emperors and royalty (including providing the backdrop for Prince Pedro and Inês de Castro’s illicit love affair), Quinta das Lágrimas is now a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Indeed, you can read about the local history in ancient books contained within the hotel’s exotic wood-panelled library. Set among 12 acres of gardens, the estate includes a pool surrounded by Balinese-style daybeds, a golf course, a golf academy, a driving range, a putting green, sweeping stone staircases and a dining terrace. Inside is the Bamboo Garden Spa and pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and several excellent eateries.

A former noblewoman’s residence, this palace in the Serra Lousã hills contains three centuries of stories inside, with mountain views outside. 46 rooms are available in the original house (with period features and a Juliet balcony), or in the newer wing — all are glamorous with on-trend meets vintage decor. Guests can swim indoors within the spa area, or in the garden’s outdoor pool. Portuguese plates are served in the fashionable top-floor À Terra, either in the main dining room or at the chef’s table in a glass-ceilinged annexe. And A Viscondessa is Octant Lousã’s new venue for fine food.

Located on the island’s northern coast, this Shangri-La property offers six-star service. Its private white sand beach provides opportunities for watersports. Or you can get active by playing tennis and golf onsite. Babysitting services and a kids’ club take care of the children, while you spend time in the spa, or enjoy a romantic candlelit meal for two overlooking the ocean. There are six restaurants and bars in total, serving everything from international buffet food to tapas sharing plates and gourmet oven-baked pizza. Stay in a bedroom, a suite, a tree-house villa, or a garden villa.

The Saccharum Hotel, part of the Savoy Signature collection, is a luxurious 5-star resort situated in Arco da Calheta, Madeira, Portugal. The hotel is inspired by the island’s sugar cane heritage, featuring contemporary design with natural elements. Accommodations range from stylish rooms to opulent suites, many with panoramic ocean views. The resort offers diverse dining options, including a buffet restaurant, an à la carte restaurant, and multiple bars. Guests can indulge in the premium spa with a range of treatments, multiple swimming pools, a fitness centre, and a variety of activities such as yoga and Tai Chi. The hotel also features state-of-the-art conference facilities, making it suitable for both leisure and business travellers. Additionally, Saccharum provides unique experiences like local food workshops and mixology classes, enhancing the cultural and culinary experience.

The Reserve is a distinguished hotel set within the grounds of its sister hotel the, Savoy Palace, in Madeira, Portugal. This exclusive establishment boasts 40 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each facing the sea and located on the highest floors of Savoy Palace, designed to offer the utmost in comfort and luxury. The Reserve offers its guests exclusive access and the attentive services of dedicated Guest Experience Personal Assistants (GEPAs) to ensure a flawless visit. Ideally located close to Madeira’s prime attractions, The Reserve enriches guests’ stays with wellness activities, city exploration, and high-end dining at the Jacarandá Club, alongside bespoke experiences ranging from yacht excursions to wine sampling sessions. Guests at The Reserve enjoy access to all amenities and services provided by the impressive Savoy Palace, including the Laurea Spa, four swimming pools, verdant gardens, beach fronts, and a variety of restaurants including sun-deck and poolside dining and the Galáxia Skyfood restaurant serving Madeiran and international flavours.

Les Suites at The Cliff Bay in Madeira is an exclusive five-star hotel with 23 luxury suites, offering comfort, tranquillity, and historical elegance. Located near Funchal Bay, the hotel features lush gardens, an infinity pool, and stunning sea views. Guests have access to amenities including multiple pools, a spa, a gym, a cinema room, and a variety of dining options, such as the innovative Avista restaurant. The suites are spacious with modern comforts, ensuring a serene and luxurious stay.

This polished and chic urban spa resort offers a very different visual experience, as a striking modern glass-fronted high rise. The Melia is all about innovation and technology, rather than history. The spa occupies 800m² with a hydrothermal circuit and massage cabins, and the outdoor pool area spans 350m², with a bar, sunbeds and Bali beds. Single bedrooms through to a Presidential Suite can be booked, catering to every traveller, be they a solo adventurer or a family group. All meals are served in the El Olivo Restaurant, with the Bracara Bar for drinks.

Venture a little further out of town, to Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel, deep in the northern vineyards of Portuguese wine country. The nearby forestry and acres of greenery make this a peaceful escape, in five-star style. The boutique property is found in the parish of Cervães, Minho and dates to the 15th and 16th centuries, with a romantic medieval tower at its heart. Guests can sample the local produce at the Wine Bar, or dine in slightly more formal surroundings at the Gomariz Restaurant. Popular daytime activities include hiking, hopping on a bike, playing tennis, or chilling out in the Camellia Spa.

Stay in a 16th-century building which had former purposes as a hospital, a hermitage devoted to São Marcos, a hostel and a Templar convent. Wrought-iron balconettes, a huge pillared courtyard and statues keeping watch over the rooftop are contrasted by a palm-flanked pool terrace to the rear. There is also an indoor pool, a kids’ play area, a spa, a gym and two restaurants, along with over 100 bedrooms. Although reincarnated as a hotel in 2018, the property retains a classical, almost medieval Portuguese style, that infuses every corner with a sense of history.

Located in the historical centre of Porto in an old renovated building, this hotel is close to many of the cities best sights such as Clerigos Tower. The rooms are spacious and all have private bathrooms and a view, many overlooking the charming Porto city. All are fitted with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TV’s, WiFi, and some come with a classic bathtub. There is a snack bar for local snacks and small meals, and breakfast is available for guests on request. Nearby attractions include the lively Ribeira area, the Dom Luis I Bridge, and the Porto Cathedral.

This hidden gem is located near the Duoro River in a renovated 19th-century rowhouse in the heart of Porto with views over the riverside area. There are eight rooms at the hotel which are all air-conditioned and have either city or river views. All have WiFi and a private bathroom. Breakfast is served daily in the bright and airy dining area, or it can be delivered to your room. Nearby attractions include the historical Ribeira area and the centre of Porto is a short walk away. The waterfront promenade can be toured at ease by bike which the hotel can rent to guests, and guided city tours can also be arranged.