Five-star hotels in Portugal | spectacular spas and luxurious locations

Reconnect with nature at the Real Marina Hotel and Spa. From the outdoor pool, admire the freshwater lagoons and unspoilt islets of the protected Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal’s ‘Seven Wonders’. Afterwards, indulge in a gourmet burger at the Maldeçoade restaurant amid urban-inspired graffiti art – think classic beef patties or marinated salmon and fennel burgers.

All 144 rooms share a sea view and use the coastal habitat as inspiration for their maritime or earth-tone palette. All-marble, cool grey and white bathrooms add serenity. Take a suite to sip morning coffee on your own balcony.

Take a dip in the indoor pool and admire the sun through the floor-to-ceiling windows, while a wall of glittering mosaics reflects on the water’s surface. Treat yourself to a restorative massage in the Real Therapy Spa, or refresh in a powerful Vichy shower. The spa also houses a sauna and steam room and provides reiki treatments alongside facials, wraps and scrubs.

On entering your room at the Myriad the first thing you’ll notice is the panoramic view of Lisbon from your window. This stretches across the city’s snaking Tagus River and Parque des Nações, with its green urban spaces. In a premium room, you can admire all this from your swinging chair before taking a soothing soak in your private whirlpool bath.

Next, visit the spa in the clouds: Sayanna Wellness Spa sits on the lofty 23rd floor. Visit in the evening to see the city lights twinkle below as you swim gentle lengths in the indoor pool, or allow your muscles to melt beneath the expert hands of the therapists in the fully tiled treatment rooms. Facials, wraps and scrubs are all available, as are a steam room and sauna.

At dinner time, make your way to the hotel’s River Lounge Restaurant, the ideal place to discover Mediterranean seafood such as grilled octopus or velvety scallops, followed by a glass of porto branco, a light variety of Portuguese port.

An evening at the Grand Real Villa Italia’s La Terrazza restaurant encapsulates modern Portugal – you’ll dine on regional delicacies such as salty fried cuttlefish or a hearty, herby sausage stew while watching the sun set over the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Rooms have an eclectic range of design themes, from the warm and verdant to bright Mediterranean whites and marine-inspired granites. Pull out all the stops in the Majestic Penthouse, where scattered bamboo plants and ornately carved wooden furniture embrace an Oriental aesthetic. On your private terrace, watch the waves roll in as you relax in your warm swimming pool.

Real Spa Therapy unfolds across 1,000 square metres and is inspired by the traditional Roman Bath House, with stone walls and natural-tone marble. Take a dip in the indoor pool, recline in the Turkish bath, or pamper yourself with a nourishing facial or massage in one of the ten treatment rooms. Finish off with a session in the steam room or sauna.

After check-in, and before an afternoon exploring the heart of the Portuguese capital, take a moment to appreciate the sleek decor of your room in the Iberostar Lisboa. Sumptuous textures abound: kick off your shoes and sink your feet into the rug; both it and the wall by your bed are made from crushed velvet in smokey grey tones, creating a contemporary haven.

The hotel’s contemporary Luz restaurant serves authentic Portuguese seafood, such as Azores tuna tartare alongside hearty meat dishes meat – look out for slow-roasted pork or tender beef loin with crispy patatas bravas.

For some downtime during your stay, make your way to the tranquil indoor pool with its invigorating hydrotherapy shower. If the sun is shining, the terrace by the outdoor pool has hammocks and loungers on which you can soak up the rays with a freshly mixed cocktail in hand – for a local drink, try something like Ginja de Óbidos, a red liqueur made from sour cherries.

The Lake Spa Resort in the Algarve town of Vilamoura is an ideal place to disconnect and recharge. Revitalise your body under powerful jet showers in the indoor pool flooded with natural light in the Blue Spa area, then move on for a massage in the Green Spa. Choose from treatments based on Japanese Shiatsu or Indian ayurvedic methods, as well as reflexology and aromatherapies using traditional African scents.

Mare Nostrum – the hotel’s floating restaurant – is your next port of call. Located on a placid, private lake and surrounded by gently swaying palms, it combines sweet and savoury flavours in gourmet dishes like tangy goat’s cheese drizzled with honey, or Portuguese sausage served with tart green apple.

Your room filled with soft, textured throws and mountains of extra pillows awaits. Choose a Deluxe Room – these are standard, with suites and apartments also available – for a view of the morning sunrise over the hotel’s gardens or the Atlantic Ocean.

Bom Successo Resort has a cutting-edge design aesthetic, its modern, angular holiday villas set among lush greenery and glistening swimming pools. For golfers, there’s an 18-hole championship course within the grounds, while sunbathers can visit the sandy beaches of the Óbidos Lagoon, a 10-minute drive away. A car trip to the walled town of Óbidos, with its medieval castle, takes 20 minutes.

Step into your villa and admire the simple white and cream décor offset by natural oranges and browns in the furnishings and bed linen. Windows stretching wall to wall and floor to ceiling allow sunlight in and provide views over the rolling gardens, studded with palms.

After a day relaxing in the sun in your private pool, treat yourself to dinner in the Clubhouse restaurant. The dining room specialises in Portuguese cuisine, like bacalhau – dried and salted cod, served with crispy potato matchsticks and buttery scrambled eggs. Prefer a quiet evening? Use the takeaway service; your fully equipped kitchen has everything you need for dining in.

For restorative time away, look no further than As Cascatas Golf Resort and Spa. The spa stretches across more than 800-square-metres and features a bubbling Jacuzzi, detoxifying sauna and indoor pool complete with powerful jets. Lie back in one of the four candle-lit treatment rooms and pamper yourself with an exfoliating body scrub or deep tissue massage. Then refresh on the hydrotherapy circuit or opt for a de-stressing scalp massage.

Make your next stop Al.Mar, which serves delectable bites of tapas while the waves lap just metres away. Feast on rich and varied dishes like grilled octopus salad with sweet roasted peppers, or blackened pork cheeks in a hearty red wine sauce.

Retire to your room at the end of the day. Here, the spacious interiors are distinguished by clean lines, with pops of scarlet against fresh whites and dark leather. Choose a suite to curl up on your king-size bed, or lie back with a book in the luxurious private whirlpool bath.

The Epic Sana Lisboa exudes luxury, from the rooftop bar with an infinity pool to the Flor-de-Lis restaurant and wine cellar. Dishes here are crafted from the finest local ingredients, such as delicate crayfish served with cauliflower or salty sole from the Portuguese coast.

Rooms feel fresh and airy thanks to a palette of simple whites and light woods with cerulean accents. In a Junior Suite, automatic lighting creates ambience, and you can start each morning with a rich cup of coffee brewed with your own machine.

Begin your days with a relaxing ritual at the Sayanna Wellness Spa. Gentle aromatherapy scents, softly flickering candles and smooth stone décor create a peaceful setting. Relax in the indoor pool while admiring the botanical garden just beyond the windows, or cleanse and invigorate your skin with a nourishing facial in one of the treatment rooms. Other pampering options include body scrubs, massages (featuring Ayurveda and reflexology techniques, with a focus on the feet) and bubble baths.

This hotel’s 19th-century architecture – including arched windows and graceful balconies – signals that the building was once a grand palace. Here you’re well-placed to explore Lisbon’s sights, such as the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Tower of Belem, a 16th-century ‘architectural jewel’.

Rooms at the Pestana Palace embrace the hotel’s romantic history – one suite was once the residence of the Marquis de Valle-Flor. Ornate soft furnishings and rugs, and polished wood encapsulate timeless luxury. Meanwhile, the Valle Flôr restaurant is located in an old, stately ballroom with palatial gold columns and cherubs carved into rich, dark wood. Feast on national dishes here like buttery lobster served with salty samphire.

In the spa, you’ll find an indoor and outdoor pool, the latter surrounded by exotic, lush plants. Refresh body and mind in the sauna or with a massage or beauty treatments. Before you check out, it’s worth taking a peek at the Renascença Room, a dining room featuring ornate wood taken from an African island nation boat in the 1800s.

After a day exploring Lisbon, unwind with a visit to the spa at the Corinthia Hotel. A peaceful refuge in the city’s buzzing heart, here you can take a dip in the mosaic-lined pool, soak up the sun in the solarium or let your worries melt away in the Jacuzzi. When you’re done, opt for a moisturising body wrap or a head-to-toe massage. The expert therapists on-hand also provide facials, exfoliating treatments and scalp massages.

The rooms at the Corinthia have been designed for luxury and comfort. Each comes with indulgent touches such refreshing tropical rain showers and ESPA toiletries in the bathroom. Choose a Deluxe King or Queen and stretch out for a blissful nap on your plush bed.

When you’re refreshed and ready for dinner, take a seat at the hotel’s Erva restaurant, which fuses Lisbon’s lively energy with traditional Portuguese recipes. Feast upon innovative dishes like succulent octopus carpaccio and razor clams served with fluffy rice.

Perched on the Vale Covo Cliffside with magnificent views of the ocean, Tivoli Carvoeiro enjoys one of the most scenic locations in the Algarve. When you stay here, you’ll be right on the beach. You can also relax on the deck by the spacious outdoor pool with a crisp glass of white wine as day fades to evening.

The Tivoli Spa uses this coastal setting as its inspiration, with Voya Organic products, which harness the beautifying properties of seaweed, as well as al-fresco massage tables so you can feel the sea breeze. Allow your muscles to melt with a deep tissue massage or scalp treatment.

Rooms at Tivoli Carvoeiro celebrate the sea with a palette of deep greys and moody blues. In a Sea View room, watch the sunset from the rustic wicker furniture on your private balcony. Before turning in for the night, tuck into a satisfying lunch of the latest catch while watching the waves roll in at the Med Food and Wine restaurant.

In the historic Ribeira District on the banks of the Duoro River, you’ll find the Pestana Vintage Porto. It’s part of a cluster of 18 attractive buildings, including a railway station and a cathedral, which have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to their medieval origins. In a Plaza room, you’ll overlook the Praça da Ribeira, which is brimming with bustling fish and vegetable markets and is said to date back to 1389.

Bring an appetite to the Rib Beef & Wine Restaurant. A modern celebration of high-quality meat, this is where you can tuck into succulent and tender marbled beef cuts in an atmosphere defined by electric colours and bohemian details, like kitsch wallpaper and fluffy chair covers.

If you’re after a nightcap, head to the Heritage Bistro & Bar. Taste some sweet red port like Messias Ruby in the city of its birthplace, or toast your holiday with some chilled, sparkling Portuguese wine such as Espumante Aliança Bruto. Sit back in sumptuously upholstered chairs in its cosy atmosphere.