Luxury Portugal Retreats

Portugal is of course a popular destination with its beautiful Algarve beaches and sun-filled skies most of the year, but Portugal is much more than this. Treat yourself to a couple of nights in a unique luxury retreat as part of a tour or stay longer for a truly relaxed holiday.

We’re sharing a few of our favourite, more unique, luxury hotels in this beautiful country, spanning the wine country of the Douro Valley to the city life of Lisbon and the Algarve for more of a coastal beach escape in addition to the countryside and island life on the stunning Azores archipelago.

Douro Valley

Property - SIX SENSES DOURO VALLEY HOTEL (5 star)

Perched high on a hill overlooking rolling hills covered in vines, with the winding Douro River below and surrounded by ancient vineyards is the Six Senses Douro Valley.

This beautiful resort is in the heart of Portugal’s stunning Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just an hour's drive from Porto. The décor combines luxury, chic, contemporary interiors within an historic 19th-century manor house. The hotel has a unique Wine Library & Terrace, where wine lovers can sample some of the world's most rare and delicious vintages with the resort's expert sommelier.

The hotel décor is chic and modern with an emphasis on sustainable luxury. Innovative use of cork flooring and beautiful chandeliers made from wine bottles gives the interiors an environmentally conscious style.

The rooms, villas and suites have natural décor and earthy tones where some have spacious living, kitchen and dining areas, alongside private pools and gardens, perfect for relaxing with a glass of the region's finest wine as you take in the sweeping vistas. The interior design of blue and white azulejo tiles, granite floors, ceilings of cork, gold leaf on the walls and modern artwork, adds a contemporary touch to this historical hotel.

Dine on gourmet cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal produce from the valley, alongside vegetables and herbs grown in the resort's own organic gardens

Six Senses Douro Valley is located Samodães, just 1 hour 20 minutes from Porto Airport and the west coast

East Algarve

Property - VILA MONTE FARMHOUSE (5 star)

Find seclusion at Vila Monte Farmhouse, set in 9 hectares of lush gardens on a quiet country estate, just a short drive from the airport, so you can 'fly and flop'. Here you can relax in rural tranquillity surrounded by citrus trees and pink bougainvillea away from the more touristy coast, but knowing that the Algarve beaches are only a short distance away.

Beautiful open plan interiors and crisp white bedrooms have a luxurious country feel with balconies or verandas opening onto the tranquil gardens. There are 2 swimming pools and 2 restaurants serving superb regional food.

This rustic-chic retreat, overlooks the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, a coastal area of wetlands and lagoons. The water forms a maze of canals, islands and marshes, stretching 60kms along the Algarve coast, attracting numerous species of migrating birds. 

Venture further out to sea for a dolphin and whale watching boat trip or sail to a desert island, for sunbathing and a secluded picnic lunch. 

Vila Monte is located on the edge of Sitio dos Calicos, a small village in the eastern Algarve, near Moncarapacho and 30 minutes from Faro Airport. 

West Algarve

Property - BELA VISTA HOTEL & SPA (5 star)

Extending over the cliff of Praia da Rocha with direct access to the beach is Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, a stylish boutique retreat originally built in an area of ​​scattered chalets that emerged on this site around the turn of the 20th century. Its original interior has been painstakingly restored, reviving the stunning wood panelled ceilings, ornate wall tiles and spectacular stained-glass windows. The hotel has since been given a contemporary twist by Portuguese designer Graca Viterbo, creating luxurious accommodation, with a lovely spa and Michelin-starred dining.

The area can get busy in the summer months so spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when it’s more peaceful and the beaches are fairly empty.

The marine-themed rooms and suites are decorated with bold prints and vibrant colours of blue, yellow and purple, and many walls are adorned with original tiles. All rooms have views of the sea, the pool or the pretty gardens.

De-stress in style in the gorgeous L’Occitane spa, which has several treatment rooms, a sauna, a hammam and a fitness suite. Sip delicious cocktails as you laze by the pool framed by palm trees and sun loungers, with views to the sea.

The Bela Vista Hotel & Spa is located in Portimão, just 45 minutes from Faro Airport and 2 hours from Lisbon Airport.

Azores

Property - WHITE EXCLUSIVE SUITES & VILLAS (4 star)

Dreaming of a unique, stunning sea view getaway to relax and revive you - well look no further than this contemporary yet authentic Azorean, clifftop haven, on the southern coast of São Miguel, the largest of the Azores' islands. The White's 9 suites and 2 villas have a laid back and stylish feel, exuding a relaxed, barefoot style of luxury. This contemporary boutique hotel is a renovated 18th century manor house retaining elements of the old building, but beautifully decorated in a soul-quenching brilliant white, inside and out, from the whitewashed walls and concrete floors to the Atlantic Ocean facing terraces. Furniture is created from raw wood and the guestrooms are beautifully draped in cotton, wool, and linen fabrics. Terraces run the length of the hotel and overlook the sea for spectacular views whether for early-morning yoga to the sound of the waves or a cocktail by the fire pit while you watch the sunset.

Stay in the resort's heated saltwater infinity pool, comfortable lounges and enjoy a cliff-side massage, but there’s also plenty to explore - take a boat to neighbouring islands, go whale and dolphin watching, scuba dive or swim in a secluded cove.

White is located in on the south coast of Sao Miguel in Lagoa, just 10 minutes drive from the airport and Ponta Delgada city centre.

Lisbon

Property - BAIRRO ALTO HOTEL (5 star)

Stay in this modern, luxury hotel with a historic twist, a perfect retreat to come back to after exploring the bustling cityscape of Lisbon. This restored 18th-century building, with its sleek and modern décor lies between the most emblematic neighbourhoods in the city, the bohemian Bairro Alto and the charming and elegant Chiado.

The rooms and suites combine a classic, historic style with a contemporary feel looking out over Lisbon, with attractive city and waterfront vistas. Each one is an elegant combination of antique and contemporary furniture, thoughtful touches of tradition with glazed tiles, woven fabrics, rattan, ceramics, and art by Portuguese makers. The windows are soundproofed blocking out the rumble of the city, so you will always be able to relax, once ensconced back inside the hotel.

The restaurant run by an award winning chef, opens up onto a stunning rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy your meal while looking over Lisbon’s skyline and the Tagus River - these are some of the best hotel views anywhere. This is the place to be at sunset while sipping a cocktail or two, and for enjoying breakfast in the morning sun.

Bairro Alto is located 30 minutes from Lisbon Portela Airport.