Best Luxury Hotels in Portugal

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.

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 Palácio da Lousã’s for fine food.

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.

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.

This hotel is situated in 11 hectares of truly stunning grounds, with its own, private, sandy beach situated amongst sandstone rocks. It is located in Armacao de Pera, west of Albufeira, and offers a fine range of facilities including tennis, a fitness centre, and six outdoor swimming pools. There is also a spa where guests can enjoy thalassotherapy treatments and hot stone massages. The spaciousness of the resort means that it never feels too crowded, and there is a pleasantly casual atmosphere which helps guests to relax.

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 Bela Vista Hotel in Portimao is located in three buildings, including the historic and imposing Palacete, on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach at Praia da Rocha. It is an adults-only hotel with a broad range of activities on offer, including tennis and various watersports. There is a fitness centre and a swimming pool, and many spa treatments are available. Several fine golf courses are in the vicinity. Guests speak highly of the fine location, the service offered by the hotel staff, and the excellent food in the beautifully located Vista restaurant.

Vermelho Melides is a 13-room boutique retreat created by Christian Louboutin in the tranquil village of Melides on Portugal’s Alentejo coast. Surrounded by pine forests, rice fields and the soft Atlantic breeze, it captures the relaxed rhythm of rural life while reflecting the designer’s unmistakable style.

Each room and suite is individually styled with antique furnishings, hand-painted tiles and richly coloured textiles sourced from artisans across the world, creating an atmosphere that feels both personal and poetic.

Dining centres around Xtian, where Mediterranean flavours meet seasonal local produce in a space alive with colour and texture. Guests can unwind by the emerald-tiled outdoor pool or wander through the lush gardens filled with sculptures and mosaics.

This member of Leading Hotels of the World has five stars and sits in a charming spot on Praça de Camões at the heart of the cultural quarter – Barrio Alto. The building is a product of the 18th century, accommodating 87 bedrooms each drawing on Portuguese crafts from artisanal rugs to Costa Nova ceramics, a restaurant, spa and a beautiful rooftop terrace with sea views. It celebrates all things Portuguese throughout, from the on-point decor to the food, the artwork, and the furnishings. On the fifth floor is BAHR & Terrace serves the best of Portuguese cuisine in a contemporary setting and on the ground indulge in delicious baked goods at the in-house patisserie.

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.

An uber-modern retreat, Areias do Seixo boasts striking concrete and glass architecture. The eco-friendly establishment was built on the site of an ex-chicken farm, with many of the materials re-used – single plastics are a no-no and ingredients come from its organic veg patch. 15 rooms are categorised in themes of Gold, Land, Tree or Love; two are designed in a tent-style and many have features such as outdoor showers, suspended fireplaces, jacuzzi baths and sea-front terraces. It has a trendy restaurant, high-class arty bar, a cinema room and a solar-powered heated pool with plush four-poster day beds. The hotel is also a short stroll to Praia da Mexilhoeira beach.

A 16th-century manor house, set in expansive manicured gardens with riverside views, is the home to this five-star boutique hotel. Its en vogue and eye-catching interior design flows throughout the public spaces of the hotel and extends to its 38 rooms. With various room categories available, guests can choose from the fashionista-inspired signature to the classic petit or the grand and sophisticated master suites – to name a few. A State-of-the-art Sisley Paris SPA is the place to be pampered whilst the lush grounds and river views create a natural sense of calm. The dining experience is headed by Portuguese Two-Michelin starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa who presents a fine-dining experience with an international influence at the Vinha Restaurant whilst the bar and brassiere offer a more informal affair. Benefiting from a private pier hotel guests can take a complimentary boat ride to the nearby UNESCO–recognised neighbourhood of Ribeira. Guests who stay at the Vinha Boutique Hotel will enjoy a welcomed and distinguished experience.