Portugal
 

Planning a trip to Portugal in early October. Aiming to spend a few days in Lisbon and then shoot up the coast to Porto or another beach town. Any suggestions on where to stay?

Palacio Príncipe Real in Lisbon would be my first choice.

Areias do Seixo up the coast is supposed to be a good option (I haven’t been)

Try a few days in Comporta.

Accommodation in Lisbon, Torel Palace. In Porto, The Yeatman.

Another beach town, I would say to go down to the Algarve (Carvoeiro) or the Alentejo coast (Vila Nova de Milfontes).

In Lisbon, https://www.palacioprincipereal.com/m/ is amazing. Adult only. We were just here a few weeks ago and the property and rooms are gorgeous.

It would depend on your age/style/group composition. There are some excellent small hotels in Lisbon. We very much enjoyed Santa Clara 1728. Comporta is worth a day or two with: Sublime Comporta is the top choice there. Also great but maybe not on your itinerary are Six Senses Douro Valley (one of the best in the country) and we also liked Sao Lourenco do Barrocal.

In Comporta I can highly recommend the Quinta da Comporta Resort. Just spent a few days here and left very relaxed.

Would love some current recommendations for a hotel in Lisbon this April. It will be myself and my wife (early 50s). First time visit to Lisbon for two nights. We generally like smaller luxury hotels near the sights, with excellent but unpretentious service.

Any ideas? and Thanks

Would suggest:
* https://www.palacioprincipereal.com/ or
* https://www.bairroaltohotel.com/

I echo the Bairro Alto option above, or perhaps https://www.thelumiares.com/ - part of SLH.

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Agreed with Bairro Alto. If you are only there for 2 nights, that will put you right in the center of where you want to be and I've had good experiences with that hotel.

We've also stayed at Bairro Alto, in both the Deluxe Junior and Chiado suites. As others have said, the location of the hotel is fabulous. In addition, we thought the service to be outstanding and the f&b to be excellent.

I was a little less enthusiastic about the decor and description of the suites we stayed in. The Deluxe Junior, while proclaiming to have a view, had a view only of a building on the other side of the narrow street. One had to open the window and stick one's head out to get a partial view. The space was pleasant enough, but something just didn't click for me, especially given the price. Chiado had a lot more character and was more traditional in decor, but it was on the second floor looking into the square, meaning noise and light in the evening. There were several design quirks in the room that were a bit annoying, and which management was aware of. The hotel's redecoration was finished shortly before the pandemic, and I don't know if I'd label it as a success, but everyone will have his/her own preferences. We also saw the Tejo suite, which was more modern in style. It did have a good view of the city looking down towards the river and bridge.

Lisbon has no shortage of boutique properties, and those mentioned earlier in the thread also seem to be good options.

I like Santiago de Alfama. Spent a few nice visits there this summer.

-I'd give Maison Albar Monumental Palace in Porto a look.

-Agree on Palacio Principe Real as a great option on Lisbon. It was nice to finally move away from the bland Four Seasons.

Palácio Principe Real looks amazing although when I stayed there at the end of 2020, it was run more like a guesthouse than a hotel (no restaurant, no room service, no evening turdowwn, etc...).

I love the new rooms at Bairro Alto. Opt at least for one of the 3 slightly larger Prestige Tejo rooms ( the 3rd floor one has breathtaking river views) or one of the two signature suites (the Bairro Alto Suite is my favourite). Food at BAHR on the 5th floor is wonderful and so are the views.

I did not use to like the FS at all but it is now a completely different hotel after its recent renovation. Rooms look fantastic, the new outdoor swimming pool is a glamourous addition and Cura, the hotel's Michelin star restaurant, should not be missed.