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

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.

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. 

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.

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.