Hi, I'm looking for help planning an anniversary trip for 5 nights this July. Needs to be in Europe. Looking at Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Lake Como, Lisbon, Porto, French Riviera, and more).

Would really appreciate any specific hotel or town recommendations for the following, and any general feedback:

- Hotel pool with a view (initially thought beach but open)
- Hotel has food/drink service at the pool
- Views from the rooms
- Great food and wine in the area (for me that's anything carbs and white wine, spouse prefers red)
- Want to spend a lot of time relaxing at the pool or beach, but also have a nice town nearby to explore. Can rent a car or travel by foot, preferably.

I think Amalfi Coast checks the boxes the best, but we have a possible second trip to Italy planned down the road. Neither of us have been to Portugal.

The Waldorf Astoria Cavalieri overlooking Rome.
https://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/e...ery/index.html
Rooms with balconies, overlooking Rome.
Gorgeous pools with service.
Shuttles down to the city.

I love the Amalfi Coast, even in the heat of July. It cools in the evening and the landscape is stunning. I know there are great hotels on down on the Coast and others can make recommendations, but we have stayed in Sorrento several times and I absolutely love these hotels.

The Lorelei Londres. Superb in every way except their pool is not large. This hotel has the most amazing location/setting you will ever find. Look up the history of it. It was old world, grand tour, Europe when I first stayed there. It was closed for years and recently renovated to high, modern standards. Great food. Even if you do not stay here, go for lunch or dinner on the terrace if they are doing it when you are there. Short walk to town center.

Hotel Minerva. One of my all time favorite hotels. Absolutely beautiful terrace with a very nice pool. It is lovely all day, but especially in the evening when you can see the sea with lights on all the boats. Just make sure to get a room with a balcony or terrace (only a few of these). Food is very good in their restaurant. Wonderful breakfast. It is a short walk to the town center and there is a shuttle or taxi if you really want it.

While I love the Lorelei, in July, I would choose the Hotel Minerva for the terrace and pool, if I could get a balcony or terrace room. Check soon because they are often fully booked a year ahead.

If they are open, a fun place in Sorrento is the Foreigners Club with music and dancing outside on a gorgeous terrace overlooking the bay. Food was OK last time we were there, but that has been a very, long time, so can’t reliably recommend it right now. We usually just went in the late evening for drinks, coffee or dessert or sometimes a pasta. Don’t know the status now with Covid, if they are still open.

Taking a boat from Sorrento down to Amalfi, Positano or over to Capri gives magnificent views.

Easy to take the Train to Pompeii if you want to tour while you are there.

Lisbon hotel: Avenida Palace

Lisbon hotel with pool with its own restaurant/bar, indoor pool, spa, large wine list featuring Portuguese wines (some local from Colares) gardens, huge rooms, views, member of Luxury Hotels of the World (LHW), an oasis in the city: Lapa Palace

https://www.lapapalace.com/en/Menu/Home.aspx

Porto hotel with pool w/food/drink service, its own Taylor port lodge next door and World of Wine (WOW), Michelin starred restaurant, world class sommelier, spa, member of Relais & Châteaux, fantastic views of the city of Porto: The Yeatman by Taylor Fladgate

https://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/en/

Hi!

Hotel Vila Foz: https://www.vilafozhotel.pt/

Pool with a view: check
Food/drink service at pool: check
Views from the rooms: check
Great food and wine in the area: hotel has a 1 star cichelin, nearby is Pedro Leos also with a 1 star michelin, but there are many others in the area without stars but very good (Cafeina, for instance). Wine is good allover Porto. Not walkable distance, but near, (like 3 or 4 euros with a taxi) you have a very unexpensive restaurant called Tia Aninhas - really good, genuine local food.
Relaxing: beach in front of the hotel, just have to cross the street. So, check.

Distances:

City center: !5 minutes, Take bus 500 towards east
Matosinhos: neighbour city with the best fresh fish - bus 500 towards north
Foz market: just walk
Looking at where the river mets the ocean, visiting the lovely "Passeio Alegre" garden, admiring the castle: just walk, it's flat, 10 minutes maximum
The best croissants in Porto: 5 minutes walking, "Docemar"

Etc.

Helena

A great recommendation from Helena! I second it.