PORTUGAL pls help
 

My husband and i have 6 days. we want a relaxing, beachy vacation in Europe (Portugal?) with good food and wine. Am leaning towards Hotel Albatroz in Cascais for 4 days (with one day trip to lisbon or sintra) and 2 days in lagos at romantik hotel vivena miranda. pls let me know what you think. we are looking for upscale, romantic vacation with good views, wine, food, etc. we are probably not choosing fortaleza do guincho in cascais even though it looks perfect because it has no pool (my husband is keen on cocktails at the pool). if there is anywhere in Algarve that is les "touristy" than vivenda miranda but still upscale and high end, pls pls let me know. my only hesitation has been algarve in general, as it may be too touristy/built up for us (we went to costa del sol (marbella) in spain) and were disappointed). thanks in advance!

Before booking the Albatroz, which is really nice, I would look at the recently opened ( March 2007) Grande Real Villa Italia , in Cascais :http://www.granderealvillaitaliahotel.com/index.html. It's an amazing hotel built from the site of the former Italian palace of King Humberto of Italy.

The hotel is gorgeous, the swimming pool is lovely , much nicer than the Albatroz one , a great place for a drink. The views are amazing , even the standard rooms are fabulous. It also has a great spa. The rooms all have small touches and amenities .

I would skip the Fortaleza do Gunincho as I think it's a cold hotel. It was an ancient fortress and therefore it's not any cosy,

For the Algarve the Vivenda Miranda is a good choice. You could also consider the Villa Joya: http://www.vilajoya.com/eng/index.php .

Hope it helps.

Thank you so much. The hotel in Cascais you pointed out looks great. Is it cosy? More rooms than where I would normally stay but it looks splendid.

Bev, yes, the hotel though larger than the Albatroz is still cosy and has lots of charm. It also boasts a wonderful spa. To add to it all their "chef" was the chef of one of one of the best and recommended restaurants in Lisbon, the " Bica do Sapato". You won't go wrong with this hotel, I assure you.

Portugal isn't much on beaches. Mostly small coves. Cascais does have a beach but tiny by the standards of the rest of Europe. The Algarve (southern Portugal) is the same. Spain (Costa del Sol) is a lot better for beaches, better pools, hotels, sites, etc.

Unfortunately we have no edit facility here. I noticed you mentioned Marbella as I clicked on Post. Marbella is an upper class dump. Better to try Fuengirola, Benalmadena, etc.

Thanks

Tere - one last question before I book hotel you recommended that looks gorgeous. Is the one thing I am giving up if I choose this hotel over Albatroz the view you have from pool of ocean because set up in cliff? The villa italia hotel looks to be ground level and across a highway from ocean so while there are views from rooms on higher levels I presume, not so much from pool, correct? You are so very helpful - thank you again for your help.

Bev, you're welcome. Well,Iyou have wonderful views of the ocean from the bar located up.

When you open the hotel's website you will see a phot of the hotel outside where there is a bar outside on the upper level. From there you will have a great view of the ocean.

From the pool I think you might have some view but I am not sure.When I was there it was cold and I didn't use the pool or the pool bar.

If that is important to your husband I would email the hotel and ask them about it.

And don't worry about the road in the fromnt of the hotel. It's a one way road with very few traffic because it isn't a main road .

You can read this review on TA from a traveller : http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...tremadura.html

If you need any more help please feel free to ask.

Teresa

To Kaneda:

I don't think you ever came to the Algarve (or even to Portugal), otherwise you wouldn't say that about the beaches in Algarve nor call them small coves!!! What about buying a Portugal guide or doing some search on the net? : - )

And to suggest Benalmadena or Fuengirola ( awful touristic places with full of cheap tourism and bad beaches) to someone who looks for a more upscale kind of place is hilarious!!!