Holidays to Portugal: The best hotels

Our favourite places to stay in Portugal
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Portugal has it all.

Wild golden beaches, cobblestone villages, exceptional food and wine in Porto and the Duoro Valley, and one of the most vibrant capital cities in the world.

Whether you’re after restorative retreat at an organic farmstead among centuries-old olive groves or sunset cocktails with five-star panoramic views of Lisbon, below are some of the best hotels Portugal has to offer.

The Lisboans, Lisbon

The Lisboans

More luxury apartments than hotel, The Lisboans is one of the most stylish crash pads in the Portuguese capital. Down a cobbled side street, just 10 minutes walk from the ever-cool Alfama district, the apartments cover five floors and each come with a small kitchen, lounge, bathroom and bedroom, each as light and airy as the next. Breakfast is on the house here too, and you'll be treated to goodies each morning including fresh bread, pastries and orange juice to accompany the ham, cheese and fresh jam in the fridge.

Rooms from £84 per night, thelisboans.com

Six Senses Douro Valley, Douro Valley

Six Senses

The Douro Valley, where rolling hills flank its namesake river, is one of the world’s oldest wine regions as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Area. The Six Senses here sits in a nineteenth century terracotta-hued renovated manor house, with 57 rooms and three villas nestled on 22 acres of land. While your day away at the outdoor pool before retreating to the wine library in the evenings for in-house tastings.

Rooms from £449 per night, sixsenses.com

São Lourenço do Barrocal, Alentejo

São Lourenço do Barrocal

Don’t be fooled by the old farmstead’s facade, the interiors of these white-washed buildings have been designed by award-winning Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura to create a stunning, minimalist oasis. The hotel has been passed down through eight generations, and the current owner, José Antonio, has spent the past 14 years refurbishing the property. Guests are treated to farm-to-table meals and will float out of the Susanne Kaufmann spa.

Rooms from £329 per night, barrocal.pt

Infantes Sagres, Porto

Infantes Sagres

Porto’s first five star hotel, Infantes Sagres was initially built in 1951 but underwent extensive renovations in 2018, restoring it to its original glory. A quiet haven in the centre of Porto (the beautiful São Bento train station is just a five minute walk away, as is the Livraria Lello library), its dusty pink facade hides old world elegance, inside guests will discover tiled floors and stained glass windows. The rooms are lovely and bright, and the hotel is home to the only Vogue Cafe in Europe after it partnered with Conde Nast to frame the walls with images of the publishing house’ flagship fashion magazine - the food is exceptional, too.

Rooms from £170 per night, infantesagres.com

Martinhal Cascais, Cascais

Martinhal hotels

A favourite for London families, Martinhal Cascais is only a few years old but is already seeing the success of its predecessors, including Martinhal Sagres in the Algarve. A half hour drive from central Lisbon, the hotel is entirely geared towards families - there’s a large playground and a child-specific pool in the hotel’s Finisterra spa. The restaurant has a play corner where children can be entertained while adults finish their meal and the regular shuttle that takes guests into the nearby picturesque town of Cascais - and its three beautiful beaches - will be well used.

Rooms from £219 per night, martinhal.com

Vila Monte Farm House, Algarve

Vila Monte Farm House

Tucked away among olive groves and citrus trees, Vila Monte Farm House sits in the unspoilt eastern end of the Algarve. The ever-popular tourist town of Faro is 25 minutes away, and the quieter fishing village of Olhão is a 15-minute drive, for when you’re in need of some salty sea air - there are also daily shuttles to the nearby beach. Yet, with two swimming pools, a tennis court and a pool bar that serves fresh juices and salads, you’ll find it hard to leave.

Rooms from £140 per night, vilamonte.com

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, Lisbon

Tivoli Avenida Liberdade

Arguably the grandest hotel in the Portuguese capital, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade ticks all the luxury boxes. It perfectly blends old and new, with its Art Deco lobby and rooftop Sky Bar, and the outdoor pool, set among a leafy garden, is the place to be during summer. After a day’s shopping on the Avenida da Liberdade (Portugal’s answer to the Champs-Élysées), unwind in the Anantara Spa and dine in-house at the buzzing Cervejaria Liberdade.

Rooms from £183 per night, tivolihotels.com

Torel 1884, Porto

Torel 1884

Torel 1884 is housed in a former nineteenth century palace - but you wouldn’t know it by its facade. The nondescript entrance blends in neatly with other homes in the area, but inside it's a visual spectacle. Restored by architect Miguel Nogueria, you’ll find library nooks, plush velvet-clad seats and bold-hued walls. Ceilings are high and rooms airy, perfect to escape the summer heat, and the in-room tubs will help you soak your sore travellers feet.

Rooms from £131 per night, torelboutiques.com

The Yeatman, Porto

The Yeatman

Offering the best views in Porto, The Yeatman combines two of our favourite things: spas and wine. Its decanter-shaped outdoor pool looks over the terracotta rooftops down to the Douro River and Porto’s colourful waterfront, and the imposing Dom Luís I Bridge is a 15 minute walk away which will take you to the heart of the city. Inside, windows maximise the view, while each of the 70 rooms and 12 suites boast marble bathrooms and all come with a balcony or terrace. The weekly wine dinners are popular with locals, and you can take part in tastings, too.

Rooms from £241 per night, the-yeatman-hotel.com

Quinta da Comporta, Comporta

Quinta da Comporta

Just outside of the coastal village of Comporta, Quinta da Comporta is the brainchild of Portuguese architect Miguel Câncio Martins. Its beachy location is reflected in the decor: rattan rugs, lots of wicker and plenty of neutral shades. The hotel has a focus on wellness and nature, and the Oryza Spa boasts a Hammam and an indoor pool, its Beauty Atelier matches products with your mood and skin type and it hosts several yoga and meditation retreats each year.

Rooms from £377 per night, quintadacomporta.com

Fazenda Nova Country House, Algarve

Fazenda Nova Country House

Run by ex-Londoners Hallie and Tim Robinson, this country house is surrounded by 10 hectares of pomegranate and olive orchards and houses just 15 suites. Near the coastal town of Tavira, in the eastern Algarve countryside, its infinity pool looks over the rolling countryside and there’s also an on-site farm, a restaurant serving seasonal fare, a bar and a vinyl library. The suites vary in size, but each has its own touch of luxury with Balinese-style beds, wooden shutters and rain showers in the bathrooms.

Rooms from £202 per night, fazendanova.eu

Casa Fortunato, Lisbon

Casa Fortunato

This nine-suite hotel sits in a converted townhouse and was created by architects-come-owners, Filipa and Antonio. Tucked away in the centre of Lisbon, the floor-to-ceiling windows allow for light-filled rooms, which are dotted with retro furniture and Portuguese tiles, while modernist wallpaper from London-based Jupiter 10 lines the walls. Massages are available on request and there are daily yoga classes, too. Breakfast is a buffet while lunch and dinner also operate on a request-only basis, and the macrobiotic dishes are served in the stylish dining room.

Rooms from £434 per night, casafortunato.com

Dá Licença, Alentejo

Dá Licença

Like something out of a Wes Anderson film, Dá Licença can be found in Portugal’s rural Alentejo region. Developed by creatives Vitor Borges and Franck Laigneau, who came across this cluster of farm houses when looking for a holiday home over a decade ago, after a bit of TLC the pair transformed it into an ultra-luxurious hotel. With just five suites and four rooms, two with private pools, expect to find pink marble terraces, walls clad in art and a seasonal menu made in tandem with local farmers.

Rooms from £323 per night, dalicenca.pt

Memmo Alfama, Lisbon

Memmo Alfama

Located in the heart of Lisbon’s prettiest district – Alfama – Memmo Alfama offers panoramic views over the capital and is the first boutique hotel in the city’s historic area. Just steps away from the Cathedral and the São Jorge Castle, its terrace (with a lap pool) offers one of the world’s best hotel views, while all 42 rooms are muted in decor, highlighting the stunning views through the windows. The Wine Bar serves the region’s best vino alongside local fare like Portuguese ham croquettes and steak sandwiches.

Rooms from £271 per night, memmohotels.com

Casa de São Lourenço, Manteigas

Casa de São Lourenço

Sitting high in the mountains of Serra de Estrela, Casa de São Lourenço melds cool design with a cosy Alpine feel. The 21 rooms are minimalist, with floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the view and the two indoor lounges boasting crackling fireplaces. The spa is complimentary for guests and has a heated swim-through, indoor-outdoor pool, sauna and a steam room. Breakfast is a spread of breads, pastries, fruits and cheese and there is also a complimentary afternoon buffet available each day as well.

Rooms from £157 per night, casadesaolourenco.pt

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