Best Luxury Hotels in Portugal

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.

Conveniently located close to many of Lisbon’s most popular attractions, this luxurious hotel provides a stylish retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests are treated to their own private terrace so that they can gaze out over the city, while the blue and cream décor comes with 18th-century furniture for a truly decadent feel. Spending time in the spa is the perfect way to unwind after spending the day exploring the city while taking a dip in the 18-metre lap pool is the perfect way to work up an appetite before enjoying a meal at Varanda Restaurant, which is a popular spot among Lisbon’s elite.

Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Algarve, is located in Albufeira, Portugal, resting atop the region’s iconic red sandstone cliffs with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Situated approximately 30 minutes by car from Faro International Airport, the resort offers direct access to the renowned Falésia Beach.

Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites is a recent addition to the award-winning Pine Cliffs Resort, designed to reflect traditional Portuguese architecture. It features 148 spacious suites and apartments, including two Presidential Suites with expansive terraces offering stunning sea views. The accommodations are thoughtfully furnished, featuring relaxing living areas, state-of-the-art technology, and en-suite bathrooms. One- and two-bedroom suites also include fully equipped kitchens and dining areas with seating for six, with floor-to-ceiling doors leading to private balconies that provide spectacular views across the landscaped grounds or the Atlantic Ocean.

You have access to a variety of amenities, including the Serenity Spa, a 1,100m² facility with an indoor pool and an outdoor area with a jacuzzi. Dining options are diverse, featuring restaurants such as Zest, which focuses on healthy, organic-based foods, and Yakuza Algarve by Olivier, one of the finest Japanese restaurants in the Algarve. The resort also offers a range of leisure activities, including tennis and padel courts, a 9-hole clifftop golf course, and the Porto Pirata children’s area, which features two oversized pirate ships and a daily range of activities and games.

A panoramic elevator provides access to a scenic walkway leading to Falésia Beach, known for its golden sands and family-friendly water sports. The resort’s location allows guests to explore local attractions such as the Fisherman Village in Albufeira, the Moorish Castle of Silves, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Also on São Miguel, but further afield in the Furnas Valley, an area known for its hot springs, is the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. It features a natural outdoor thermal pool within the grounds and is a part of the same group as the Grand Hotel — Bensaude Hotels Collection. Dating back to the 1930s, the building itself has become an icon. TN Restaurant serves local specialities, while bartenders at The Gardener Bar & Terrace mix delicious cocktails with a charming view. 86 guest rooms and a spa have received an art deco-meets garden-themed makeover, reflecting its elegant heritage and leafy setting.

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.

Anantara is a luxury brand which started in Asia (read about the Anatara Layan Phuket), and has now expanded into Europe with this stylish resort situated alongside the Victoria golf course, the venue for the Portugal Masters. Anantara Vilamoura offers a wide variety of spa treatments, along with indoor and outdoor pools. For active guests, there are tennis facilities and a fitness centre. What really sets this hotel apart, however, is the way it deals with the ‘basics’. Guests often wax lyrical about the quality of service, cleanliness, the excellent beds, and the superb range of food included in the breakfast. Golfers will also appreciate the high quality course on site.

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.

The Conrad is situated in Quinta do Lago, an area renowned for its golf courses. Some of the Algarve’s famous beaches are also readily accessible. There is a fitness centre and a tennis court, along with several swimming pools, including a heated infinity pool, plus a spa offering a range of treatments. Every room features a balcony, and foodies can enjoy meals prepared by well known chef Heinz Beck in the ‘Gusto’ restaurant. Guests are usually impressed by the service and the breakfast spread, whilst golfers have several excellent nearby courses to choose from.

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.