Dear Sher
(Just seen Troy. Peter O'Tool performance it's outstanding)
Two weeks for a first experience in Portugal is not too much. To keep it relaxing, I think only 2 locations are the ideal choice.
For the first week, I'd stay in Cascais. Hotel Albatroz Cascais offers what you are looking for. If you find it above your budget, you may look for alternatives, but I'd consider it as the first option. Albatroz have rooms with sea view, but they charge an extra for that. The Hotel has a direct access to the beach. A nice walk along the beach lead you to Estoril (20 minutes).
Next door to Albatroz is Cascais railways station. After 30 minutes you'll be in Lisbon (Cais do Sodre) with interface to the subway system. I think Lisbon deserves at least 2 full days. I posted somewhere else my list of Lisbon favourites.
Other alternatives for sidetrips from Cascais are Sintra (1 day) and Estoril Casino (by night). If you want to dress up and have a nice diner, consider a visit to Casino do Estoril, either if you gamble or not. For this week I don't think you need a car.
Queluz palace is not a must IMHO. It's similar to the Grimaldi Palace in Monaco and many miles behind Versailles in France. On top of that it's not easily accessible by public transportation system.
Ideas for the second week to come tomorrow, I hope...)

Dear lobo_mau. Thank you so much. I also answered you directly.

Sherry

Sher - spent two weeks in northern Portugal two years ago - loved it.
Very different than the south and much less touristed. The Douro valley was unbelievable and spectacular, especially if you like wine. Stayed mostly at Pousadas - expensive, but unique.

Enjoy

Dear Francetrip. The reply from lobo_mau was this destination because we asked specifically for beach locations.
My husband has his heart on being near the water.
But thank you for your suggestions. I am starting a file on POrtugal and am glad for any suggestions.
There is always the possiblilty of another trip.
Sherry

Dear Sher
There is coast line in Portugal, from the North to the South, however bear in mind that November is winter and the more South you go, the most likely is for you to find fair weather.
For the second week, I can't decide between one of two possible locations: Algarve and Alentejo.
In Algarve I'd stay in Lagos. I don't recommend any particular hotel, but the offer is varied. Lagos is the former capital of Algarve and a place of a rich past. Lagos authorities are very active trying to display a continuous series of attractions and events, although more frequent during the summer.
The must see spots are Sagres and Cape Saint Vicent, Tavira and Vilamoura.
If you want to consider a different and less known Algarve, try Mochique Spa in the Moutains for one or two nights (http://www.monchiquetermas.com). I don't think they have a site version in English, but if you contact them, I'm sure thay will contact you back. Stayings there include body massage and the other treatments usually available on Spas.
For this second week, I advise renting a car. Interesting spots are not very distant from each other and Algarve is easy to navegate with Via do Infante - Prince's (Henry) highway crossing it west to east. On the route Lisbon to the South I recommend the scenic route as I posted in other thread.
Suggestions in Alentejo will follow... this week. kr

The first thing I did was look up the hotel that you suggested in Cascais. It looks wonderful.
Even after Oct. 31st the price is about $250 or more a night. For the last two weeks of Oct., it is now almost $300 depending on how our currency is doing. All of the discount booking sites it is listed on are saying there is no availability.
So I am thinking that we will have to find something else.
Do you know if there is limited beach access here as there is on the Amalfi coast and maybe besides the quality of this accomodation, it makes the cost higher? I am thinking this is the case since you said it has direct access to the beach.
Thank you for your suggestions on the second week.
Sherry

Sher.... For some reason I don't see your original post. when are you traveling? If it's not "in season" then I'd highly recommend that you rent a car after a few days in Lisbon and do the Pousada's of Portugal. Last March we flew into Lisbon, took a cab to our hotel and spent the first 2 nights in Lisbon using the metro/trolley and buses to hit the local sites. then I rented a car and drove down to the Algarve for a week in a time share. After that we booked rooms in absolutely fabulous Pousada's all the way up to Grimares and then back down to Lisbon where we turned the car in at the airport. I recommend that you try the national web site for their Pousada's. If you don't have it, I think I have it book marked. Unless things have changed you can stay in Castle like buildings in all parts of Portugal with goood food and clean rooms for a lot less than the prices you quoted...Socal

The site about Pousadas is http://www.pousadas.pt (as expected).
Staying at Pousadas is a superb way of knowing Portugal, however I can only think in 2 Pousadas which are located by the sea. Sagres in the Algarve and Viana do Castelo up North.

Dear Socal. We are planning to travel the last two weeks in October or the first two weeks in November.
I had wanted to spend one of those weeks by the sea. But I think I am finding that accomodations that have direct acces to the sea are either a little beyond our means (in the ones I have checked so far like the Hotel Albatroz) or not directly on the sea.

Since we are planning to go so late in the year, we are probably going to spend most of the time in the South. I think we have the chance of the best weather there.

I am really doing this backwards. I usually buy my tour books, read them and then know more than I do at this point. But I wanted to narrow my search down.

We usually rent a car in Europe, so if we spend time in Lisbon and environs, we will problably only get the car for exporing further.

Thanks to everyone.
Sherry

Sher.. My advice to you concerning your desire to be near the sea is to check out the weather forecasts for southern Portugal during Oct/Nov. My first trip to the Algarve was during the first week of Oct and the weather turned cloudy and chilly. I don't know your age, but for those other "over age 60" travelors who may be reading this post, pousadas are a reasonable way to go during the low season. If you check out that on the Pousada web site that lobo_mau provided, yoou will see that seniors get a 35% discount on all rooms which are also much cheaper after 1 October. We stayed at the one across the street from Que Luz Palace in Lisbon and ate one of our best meals at their award winning restaurant (a bit of a plurge, but worth it). We also stayed on top of a mountain in the 300-400 year old pousada in Marvao and walked the narrow streets and walls of the small village. The Mesao Frio Pousada overlooks the Doura river/valley and they routinely receive luncheon guests who take a boat ride from Porto. The place is a marvelous old mansion surrounded by gardens and they have a pool. The one we stayed at in Guimares was an old monestary like edifice on a hill over looking the city. Obidos is also a very special city and there is a pousada there, but I found the "estrelagem convento" just out the walls of the city to be more charming and less expensive. We gave ouselves a week of traveling from one to another, but I wish we had spend 2 or 3 weeks moving a bit more slowly through each area. I don't know your what travel budget for lodging is, but it pays to check out that web site. Remember that Friday and Saturday rates are higher, so plan for cheaper B&B/motels on the weekends if money is tight. We are off to England/Wales/Mallorca in two days so this will probably be my last post for a few weeks. Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you have any more questions and I'll try to answer them when we get back. We loved Portugal and I think you will enjoy the people and their food. Lastly, you are absolutely correct about not picking up your car until you are ready to leave Lisbon. Their public transportation is cheap, efficient, and fun. Get a good map of the city and be adventurous in taking their metro/ferries/trains/trolleys/buses. And bring comfortable shoes...Bom Viaje....Socal

Dear Socal. Thank you again for taking the time to give me all of your notes.
We are not quite 60 but pretty close. So the senior discount will not be for us just yet.
I am hoping to spend the time by the sea, but it seems maybe I might have to modify my plans a little. We only plan to be near the sea for one of the two weeks. The weather may not be in our favor.
Now I must sit down with all of these wonderful notes and the guide books I have ordered and do one of the favorite parts of the trip and plan.
Of course we are way past the hostel stage. I think I would like to budget about $100 to $125 a night for a room in the low season. But maybe this is not really possible for the area. We will see. I would much rather splurge on a nice meal.
I have had so many great suggestions.
I am off to Austria mid June for two weeks.
Enjoy your trip.
If you have any other suggestions, please email me when you have time.
[email protected].
Now I am going to organize all of the hotels, sites and great tips from lobo_mau, you and put francetrip's on the back burner for next time.
Sherry