DianePD

We will be in Portugal for 12 nights in May. Currently planning 5 nts in Lisbon, 2 nights in coimbria, 2 nights Douro valley and 3 nights in Porto. We are looking for hotel recommendations in each area. We like unique hotels, local inns, small hotels, with local hospitality and feel. Hoping to stay in the $250-300 per night range.

also looking for information or recommendations for a cork tour out of Lisbon. There are 4 of us, so we are figuring on private tours.

so far we just have our air booked, so any suggestions would be helpful.
thanks in advance. Dd

Maribel

Cork tours outside of Lisbon will be to the east in the Alentejo region (and also in Ribatejo), where the largest number of cork farms can be found. The largest producer is Amorim.

Cork farms offering tours:
Cork Trekking in at the Herdade (farm) da Maroteira, the tours start from there, not from Lisbon
https://www.corktrekking.com

See all the Alentejo cork far tour experiences here: For most of these you would need private transportation from Lisbon to where the tours start
https://www.portugalfarmexperience.c...on-cork-tours/

But here's one that does depart from Lisbon (I've not taken it)
https://www.corktour.com/en/cork-cork-eng/

Maribel

Hotels
"We like unique hotels, local inns, small hotels, with local hospitality and feel. Hoping to stay in the $250-300 per night range."

Coimbra
Quinta das Lagrimas

Douro
Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros

Lisbon
Heritage Hotel Britânia Art Deco Boutique
(but you have to like Art Deco and for your particular dates, it may be over budget; we book the Golden Rate which saves us money and includes breakfast/tea/port).
Heritage Lisboa Plaza.
(if you qualify, the Golden Rate can't be beat)
Both of the above are in the Avenida da Liberdade area

Casa do Barão​​​​​--​​A small, personalized B&B in Chiado with a 4 to 5-night minimum for most dates.

Avenida Palace
not small but an Old European classic---favored by Fodorites--great concierge desk with personalized service--entry level room may be within budget or slightly above--some dates already sold out. May is a very busy time in Lisbon and warning! hotel rates have soared this year

Porto
Ditto to soaring hotel rates here this year. My favorite small, boutique hotels in and around Rua das Flores and Aliados now all run above 300/night in May.
Old Stone Flats has apartments that have been recommended here. I believe they have a 2-night minimum. They're on booking.com.

Guest suites, apartments or B&Bs will be less expensive than boutique hotels. You can do a search on booking.com with your price range and required amenities. For hotels or guest houses with rooms available for your dates, click on each room to see the exact room size and all amenities provided in the room.
Room size is important in Porto, as some of the rooms in popular B&Bs run very small.

DianePD

Maribel, thanks for all of your recommendations! Will look them up. Diane