24 Best Hotels in Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal

This luxury resort stands above Costa da Caparica beach in a verdant spot away from the crowds that throng the sands. The sky-high lobby provides views of the ocean, the resort's two heated outdoor pools, and the 9-hole golf course and country club below. There's an indoor pool and a gym, as well as a spa and fitness center, with a sauna, hot tub, and steam room. Accommodations are functional rather than luxurious, although many have sea-views balconies.

This four-star boutique hotel sits on a hill just far enough off the main drag so that it's hidden from the noise and crowds but still convenient walking distance to all the star attractions, including Estoril Casino and Praia do Tamariz. Choose a regular room, a studio, or a one-bedroom apartment, all of which look down to a pretty little pool shaded by palm trees or up and out to the ocean horizon. Most have a balcony and are quite spacious.

Keen swimmers will be in their element at this family-focused hotel: not only does it sit right on the beachfront at Praia Grande, Colares, but it also boasts one of Europe's largest salt water swimming pools. The 100-meter outdoor pool comes complete with diving boards, and a poolside bar and restaurant means adults can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying a drink and a snack. The hotel, which features in the 1982 Wim Wenders film 'The State of Things,' is a local landmark, and regular refurbishments mean the rooms, restaurants, and communal areas all look cool and contemporary. Rooms are generously proportioned, and all have balconies facing the ocean.

Each of the eight suites in this candy-striped building dating from 1890 is named for a different palace (you might spot photos of your room's namesake on the walls). All have wrought-iron beds, polished tile floors, and have grand views of the countryside. The downstairs breakfast room opens onto a terrace. It's a little out of town, but you can pour yourself a drink from the honor bar and soak up the peaceful ambience.

Loved equally by outdoor enthusiasts and the fashion press, Dream Guincho offers boutique hillside lodgings away from the tourist trail. Unique touches abound, from the artworks (many of which are for sale) and bespoke book-themed furnishings to the piano room and reading nooks. There are just eight rooms, each named after a classic work of literature, and each with a terrace overlooking the ocean. Leisurely home-cooked breakfasts are served from 9am to noon, and there's an honor bar where you can fix yourself a cocktail to enjoy by the breezy outdoor pool. 

Located between Estoril and Cascais, this smart hotel offers comfortable rooms and pleasant outdoor areas. All rooms are reasonably sized and have balconies where you can enjoy the breeze. Front rooms have coastal views. It's a popular choice for families because there are two pools. a decent on-site restaurant, and a tennis court.  

Standing on the cliffs facing the ocean, this historic fort may look austere from the outside, but walk through the entrance and you'll find all the luxury of an old-world palace. Each of the magnificent rooms has exquisitely designed 17th-century reproduction furniture and rich linens. A winding stone staircase leads up to the second-floor suites, which have an enclosed balcony providing incredible ocean views. The bar and lounge look out over Guincho Beach, and there's a deck for lounging and sunbathing. 

Perfectly integrated into the landscape, this luxurious hotel is built in steps up the side of the hill above the sea. Each floor has different designer furnishings and a different color scheme in which reds, oranges, and yellows predominate. View sailboats on the bay from one of the many panoramic windows or from your own balcony. There's an outdoor infinity pool as well as an indoor "water lounge" with several pools, a sauna circuit, biothermic showers, and other treats.

The name of this sparkling boutique hotel reflects the long-standing English love affair with the Estoril Coast, but it remains at heart a grand mansion that is unmistakably Portuguese. Although the interior decor is contemporary, especially so in the modern annex, there's a timeless feel thanks to the grandeur of the 19th-century main building and the old-fashioned cordiality of the staff. If it weren't for the modern swimsuits by the pool, you could almost imagine you were in 1920s Hollywood. Most guest rooms have white azulejo tiles, and some have balconies overlooking either Cascais Bay or the surrounding hills.

Just steps from the seafront, InterContinental Cascais-Estoril is a plush base for exploring both Estoril and neighboring Cascais. The hotel's cool, contemporary design and luxurious facilities make it an ideal place to relax and recharge after a day's exploring, and with several excellent drinking and dining options on-site, you can easily make a night of it at the hotel. Rooms are light and airy, with expansive sea views, and the hotel has plenty of spacious areas for relaxing with a book and a drink. 

The oldest lodging on the Iberian peninsula, this 18th-century grande dame has hosted such illustrious guests as Lord Byron and, more recently, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (as well as one former U.S. president who is rumored to be a regular guest). It's easy to see the appeal: the intimate rooms with beamed ceilings and wood floors are bathed in light from French windows. The ambience channels British high society from centuries past, right down to the five-o'clock tea with scones and jam. In the old-world restaurant, specialties include wild boar stuffed with black beans and pears. A more informal bar-restaurant next door is a pleasant spot for late afternoon cocktails after a day's sightseeing. 

Set in expansive grounds on the edge of town, Martinhal Cascais is an elegant, upscale resort aimed squarely at families. The well-maintained facilities include indoor and outdoor pools with shallow areas for toddlers; multiple playgrounds; a staffed kids' club; cinema sessions; poolside cafe-bars, and a kids’ play area in the light and airy breakfast room. Rooms are modern and spacious, with large balconies overlooking the leafy, bird-filled gardens. Child-free guests are very welcome, but it's family travelers who will really appreciate the resort's kid-friendly ethos. 

This luxurious 1930s hotel hosted exiled European aristocrats as they waited out World War II; today it draws golfers who play on the nearby course and weary travelers in need of pampering at the spa. James Bond fans also seek out rooms at the hotel—scenes from On Her Majesty's Secret Service were filmed here, and writer Ian Fleming is said to have written Casino Royale in the hotel's bar. The grandeur is still impressive today: several of the Regency-style guest rooms have balconies, and public areas are adorned with monumental columns and chandeliers. There are swimming pools inside and out, and a relaxed poolside restaurant that serves light meals in an alfresco setting. The modern Organic Caffe appeals to the clean living set, and there's no more elegant spot in town to dine than the Four Seasons Grill.

Housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century fort, the Pousada Cidadela Cascais is a real treat for lovers of art, architecture, literature, and history. The whitewashed building sits within its own artsy "neighborhood"---the Pestana Cidadela Art District---which comprises galleries, studios, reading rooms, book stores, restaurants, and open-air art installations. The hotel itself is a work of art, with individually styled rooms showcasing colorful contemporary pieces against a cool neutral backdrop. The whole complex feels crisp, clean, and contemporary.

Originally a medieval fortress and later a monastery, this pousada makes full use of the colonnaded walkways of the old cloisters as an atmospheric setting for breakfasts with views of the nearby hills. There's little trace of monastic asceticism in the monks' former refectory, now a dependable restaurant that serves traditional Portuguese food and fine wines. It's part of the Pestana Pousadas de Portugal portfolio of tastefully refurbished historic buildings. 

The royal guard quarters opposite the palace have undergone a stunning transformation to become this beautiful pousada, now managed by the Pestana hotel group. Marble hallways lined with old prints give way to crisp, high-ceilinged rooms furnished with 18th-century reproductions. Breakfast is served in the pousada itself, while dinner and lunches are provided across the road in the old palace kitchens, now the Restaurante de Cozinha Velha.

This secluded country estate in the small village of Aldeia do Meco—12 km (7 miles) northwest of Sesimbra—is perfect for a romantic getaway. It's a favorite with visiting celebrities, who appreciate the privacy and stylish accommodations. Chic apartment-style lodgings all have kitchenettes and open onto terraces that face pines, palms, and fragrant fruit trees. There are sleek studios, spacious villas, and one beautifully appointed loft apartment. The extensive grounds flower gardens and a mineral-rich black infinity pool surrounded by colorful plants and birdlife, and everything is lit with twinkling fairy lights after dark. Breakfast (extra charge) can be made to order and delivered to your room, and rooms have kitchenettes. If you don't feel like cooking, staff can advise on the best local seafood restaurants nearby.

With its own winery on-site, chic boutique hotel Quinta Vale Da Roca will delight fans of Portugal's excellent vinhos. It's tucked away in the hills between Sintra and Cascais, and makes a relaxing retreat for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts as well as city-weary Lisboetas arriving by car. The seven spacious, stylishly appointed suites all living areas and terraces with sweeping sea views, and even the fitness room and jacuzzi have been positioned to make the most of those panoramic vistas. A large outdoor infinity pool completes the picturesque scene, and there's a tasting room where the enthusiastic owners will introduce you to the estate's highly regarded wines. 

This modern hotel sits directly across from the beach and very close to excellent seafood restaurants, lively bars, and the town's major sights. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with nice touches like flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Those at the front have balconies with sea views.

On a cliff overlooking the beach, this luxurious hotel has an indoor and outdoor infinity pool whose waters cascade down, waterfall-style, in front of the windows of the elegant seafood restaurant. There's a more casual family eatery with a colorful design, and a bar serving light snacks. All guest rooms have sea-view balconies and linens in soothing shades of blue and greens. There's a small but well-equipped playroom for kids and a shallow pool for younger guests to splash around in.

On a rocky outcrop above the crashing waves, this gorgeous hotel was once the summer residence of the dukes of Loulé. Although expanded and modernized, its character has been retained, particularly in the handsome corridors and cozy terrace bar. Guest rooms combine an old-world elegance (carefully chosen vintage prints) with comfort (incredible beds). There's a small pool surrounded by loungers, and direct access to a small beach below. The acclaimed Albatroz restaurant serves superb fish dishes. A terrace bar-restaurant with gorgeous bay views serves more informal meals.

Built in the 18th century as a home for the Dutch consul, this suitably grand hotel is surrounded by pristine grounds. You enter under an elaborate arch that joins the building's two wings. Inside, public rooms have period furnishings, delicate frescoes, and Arraiolos carpets; guest rooms are individually styled, some with hand-painted wallpapers. The elegant restaurant serves à la carte dishes and tasting menus. In summer, having coffee or tea on the terrace is a delight. A plush spa, outdoor pool, and two tennis courts are among the many amenities.

A 15-minute stroll from the historic center of Sintra, this beautifully restored 19th-century estate sits among carefully maintained gardens with a pool shaded by fruit trees. The slightly remote location means it is wonderfully quiet at night, when the crowds of tourists in the town center feel a million miles away. Although it feels like taking a step back in time, Villa das Rosas offers modern must-haves such as Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs.

With a dreamy location overlooking the Arrábida Natural Park and out to sea, Villa Epicurea is a scenic spot to revive mind, body, and soul. The rustic-chic eco lodge offers home-cooked vegetarian meals (extra charge), wholesome breakfast feasts made to order, and spacious rooms and suites with large windows and terraces for soaking up the view. Guests can enjoy an infinity pool, yoga dome, terraced gardens with sun loungers, and there's a cozy communal area complete with honor bar (in case you need a break from all that clean living).