Start planning your next getaway with my pick of the best boutique hotels, beach resorts and so on in Portugal. From Porto to Lisbon and the Algarve.
Portugal is my home country. Taking the title of ‘Europe’s Leading Destination’, Portugal has become a trend when it comes to city breaks, beach holidays and road trips in Europe. With a golden coastline, buzzing cities and a historic wine region, it’s easy to understand why. From boutique hotels to beach resorts and wine tourism, uncover my list of best hotels in Portugal.
The best hotels in Portugal
1. Torel Avantgarde, Porto
The sexiest five start hotel in Porto with enviable views over Douro River.
They call it the sexiest five-star hotel in Porto. And guess what? The name really lives up to it. Here, we can let ourselves be carried away by art, as when entering it we are immediately transported to an avant-garde artistic, cultural and administrative setting.
Inspired by the “Avantgarde” years, the hotel’s design is reminiscent of the protection that characterized the period between 1930 and 1940. In it, we celebrate and exalt Portugal, through art, design and Portuguese handicraft.
We see this as soon as we walk in, where the lobby opens up to a plethora of local art: walls made from cork, sculptures by Portuguese artist Paulo Neves and a flower-covered ceiling often described as ‘the most instagrammable room in Porto’.
The cherry on top of a luxury experience? The hotel has unobstructed views over the Douro River.
2. Quinta da Pacheca “Wine House Hotel”, Douro
The best ‘charming tourism’ in the Douro Valley.
Dreaming of sleeping in a charming wine barrel? Your DREAM can come true in this iconic Wine House Hotel part of Quinta da Pacheca, a recognised vineyard property in the Douro Region. The Ex-libris of Quinta da Pacheca is one of the best known units of ‘charming tourism’ in the Douro Valley.
Inserted in a 51 ha. (126 ac.) farm full of vineyards stretching down to the Douro, The Wine House Hotel is a mix of history (the main building is a 18th century house) combined with an innovative and sophisticated style.
What’s more? This is a boutique hotel devoted to gastronomy and wine tourism, where you’ll get the chance to try their best wines while also learning about the wine making process. Wait until you try their restaurant…
Also Read: Wine Tourism: A Winery Tour at ‘Quinta da Pacheca’
3. The Ivens Autograph Collection, Lisbon
The “explorers” hotel and the bathroom that everyone fancies.
Calling all explorers! ? The most recent hotel in Chiado – The Ivens – is an ode to the Portuguese explorers Ivens and Capelo who, in 1877, headed a famous expedition across the jungle of Southern Africa.
The scientific illustrations that resulted from the trip cross the decoration of the space, from the lobby to the rooms. So, being inside The Ivens is like going on a journey through the jungle with motives like tropical plants, parrots and macaws following.
The in-house restaurant, Rocco, is already one of the best restaurants in Lisbon and its unique bathroom featuring botanical motifs on the walls and sinks make from Italian Calacatta seems to be an attraction on itself!
4. Reserva Alecrim, EcoSuite & Glamping, Santiago do Cacém
Where simplicity and sustainability are the new luxury
Between Comporta and Costa Vicentina, down the mountain on the way to the beach, you will find the peace of rurality and the fascination of the sea in the first Glamping Boutique Resort of the Alentejo coast.
There, simplicity and sustainability are the new luxury. 28 hectares, completely preserved with local fauna and flora such as cork oaks, olive and pine trees, as well as citrus and rosemary. 32 well-kept lodges are carefully “planted” in the midst of nature, with the comfort of a house or a hotel room. Country houses, domes, a safari tent, eco houses, eco pods and eco suites, with three swimming pools
If you are looking for a unique experience in contact with nature, then this could be your best shot.
5. Bela Vista Hotel & Spa – Relais & Châteaus, Algarve
Unique in the world: The first hotel in the Algarve region
Unique in the world: In 1934, a 19th century family house overlooking the ocean became the first hotel in the Algarve region.
This historic five star resort lives up for what its name is as “Bela Vista” means “Great Views”. Perched on an outcrop above Praia da Rocha beach, giving it a distinctive mansion-on-the-hill look.
Bela Vista is made up of 3 separate houses, each with a unique design. All rooms are decorated in a maritime theme and most offer views of the Atlantic Ocean from private balconies. But that doesn’t end there! They also feature a L’Ocitane Spa with 5 treatment rooms including Sauna and Hamman.
6. Hotel da Fábrica, Manteigas
Rustic Luxury in the heart of Serra da Estrela
In the heart of Serra da Estrela (the highest mountain in Portugal) and overlooking the Glacier Valley lies a unique hotel that was once a wool Factory, hence why its name.
Staying at this hotel is a sole opportunity to glimpse the green and white of Serra da Estrela while discovering the history of wool weaving and the mysteries of burel. To enjoy the full experience, I’d recommend a visit to the new Ecolã Factory, also part of the group, which they kindly organise for you.
The rooms are very comfortable and the design is simple yet sophisticated, with objects that remind us of the industrial era and the manufacture of wool that was once produced there. It’s already on my bucket list!
7. Aqua Village Health Resort & Spa, Oliveira do Hospital
The Best Thermal Water Spa in The World.
This is a multi-award winning luxury resort (voted the best Thermal Water Resort in the World in 2019), with a presidential suite and 29 spacious, self-sufficient and fully equipped apartments (T1 and T2).
Those who vacation there don’t even need to leave, because there are structures suspended in the treetops, for massages, hammocks along the River Alva and access to a river beach.
The Aqua Village is situated in the centre region of Portugal, between Coimbra and Serra da Estrela. Indulge yourself in an experience the hand of Man merges in harmony with Mother Nature. ?
I hope you enjoyed my list of top picks. Comment below and follow me on social media for more updates and interesting articles.
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