Areias Do Seixo (possibly Europe's most romantic getaway)

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August 30, 2014 by EXPERT

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Areias Do Seixo
 Map | 1 Review | 0% Recommended

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Liked:
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I did not find any FT review of this little known but stunningly beautiful hotel, and thought I may as well share it with the FT community, since this is one of Europe's most fantastic boutique hotel (one hour north of Lisbon) and a MUST for everyone who loves luxurious design hotels and romantic getaways.  I uploaded a lot of photos here to give you an idea of the beauty of the place: http://wp.me/p4d1XU-1pN

Pros

-The resort, a place of immense beauty and tranquility, is located only an hour drive north from Lisbon Airport. - Without a doubt, the architecture and overall decor is the strongest point of the hotel. The mix of industrial concrete and steel, with touches of wooden elements and glass structures, offers an exceptional aesthetically pleasing decor. In the evening, the bar/restaurant is lit up wonderfully, becoming a trendy and intimate place to relax and enjoy a cocktail, wine and/or the food and the friendliness of the staff. - There are just 14 rooms and 5 villas here, and all but one have a view over the gardens and the distant sea. Out on the south-facing deck of each room there are a couple of large cushions to sunbathe, another more formal sunbed, plus a small table. The room’s interiors are exquisite and they all come with fireplaces. The beds are heavenly soft (en pair with Four Seasons and other luxury hotels) with amazing pillows and quilts. The bathroom decors are brilliant. Each night they lit tens of candles, place cookies and local crackers in jars, creating a very romantic and pleasant atmosphere. Wow! - The beach, below the impressive cliffs, is located about a 10 minute walk from the hotel (through the dunes) and is stunningly beautiful. The waves of the Atlantic are pretty amazing and you have the rough coastline almost entirely to yourself. Hats, parasols and beach bags are provided by the hotel. Each night, the hotel owners offer a complimentary glass of wine at a special location: a highly appreciated gesture. - One of the highest points of your stay will be the staff. Put simply, they are wonderful, genuinely friendly and laid-back, yet willing to do everything to ensure your stay is memorable. - The spa is lovely. While the facilities are modest with simply a steam room, a sauna and a relaxing area to drink wonderfully prepared tea, the treatments from Marta (the head masseuse) and her staff are exceptional and moderately priced. The Areias do Seixo special (“The pebbles”) with warm stones is highly recommended. - The food is good, from the excellent breakfast buffet, with its fresh plate of Portuguese meats and cheeses, fresh fruits and yoghurt, and fresh fruit juices, to the evening diner and its extensive list of local Portuguese wines. - - The only drawback was the limited choice on the menu, but the cod for two and the beef ribs for two are highly recommended staples of the Areias do Seixo diner menu. - Rooms rates are very modest in relation to the luxurious and exclusive experience that you receive. 

Cons

This hotel comes close to being perfect, especially when you realize it is privately managed (and not part of a luxury hotel chain). There are no real cons, just some suggestions for the owners and a few things you need to know:

- The swimming pool, while very attractive, is very cold. Heating of the pool to a more comfortable temperature would enhance the customer experience. - I somewhat missed a hot tub on the terrace near the pool. That would have been a brilliant addition to an otherwise brilliant hotel. - Service at the pool was limited and too laid-back. If only from time to time someone of the staff came along to take orders for drinks (would be nice for the clients and the hotel could increase its revenues) or to offer little snacks (as is the case in most high-end resorts these days) … - The menu lacks a bit of creativity and inspiration (also in relation to the price charged, about 45 euros per person). The focus is on garden fresh ingredients and sometimes it simply misses seasoning, resulting in rather plain tastes and dull presentations. Foodies might be a little bit disappointed. - Internet connection (WiFi) is good in the rooms, but absent in the pool area. - This may not bother some, but I did miss it to surf the internet on my tablet while lounging near the pool. While probably not possible, a private club at the beach (with loungers for the hotel guests) would have been great! Maybe the hotel should give this idea a thought. But maybe I am just nitpicking now

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