Fodor's Expert Review Hotel do Elevador

Many seasoned travelers to the country's northern reaches have made this charming hotel their top choice. Housed in a 19th-century building on a wooded hill 3 km (2 miles) outside Braga, it's named after the water-operated funicular that hoists the faithful up to the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary. All the high-ceilinged guest rooms have period furniture, and most have panoramic views. Guests have free access to the indoor pool, gym, and spa of the upscale Hotel do Templo a few steps away.