Portugal

Açores Atlantico

Ponta Delgada

On the picture you will see the view from our room at this lovely 5-star Grand Hotel right opposite the ferry port of Ponta Delgada. Do we need more arguments for the house? Well, the rooms are very tastefully furnished and thanks to the central location in the city center, you don't need a car. An ideal place to start or end a trip to the Azores. The room prices start at about 200 Euros in the high season for a smaller ocean view room. Before and after it will be cheaper

Batalha 6 m – Furnas 23 m

Azor Hotel

Ponta Delgada

This very modern hotel sits on the edge of the city center of the island capital Ponta Delgada. The view over the Atlantic from the rooms is breathtaking, and as far as I remember, there are only ocean view rooms. Azor Hotel is a spotless 5-star house with all the amenities you will expect in this category. A clear recommendation. Rooms prices will set you back around 220 Euros in the main season. View included.

Batalha 6 m – Furnas 23 m

Boutique Hotel

Furnas

This very modern hotel sits on the edge of the city center of the island capital Ponta Delgada. The view over the Atlantic from the rooms is breathtaking, and as far as I remember, there are only ocean view rooms. Azor Hotel is a spotless 5-star house with all the amenities you will expect in this category. A clear recommendation. Rooms prices will set you back around 220 Euros in the main season. View included.

Furnas 3 m – Batalha 22 m

Casa Branca

Funchal

We stayed at the Estalagem Quinta da Casa Branca on our first visit to Madeira. We really liked the hotel. First of all, it is the location. All of Funchal's main attractions are within walking distance. Then the huge tropical garden where the old mansion and the modern garden rooms are located. The hotel is part of the «Small Luxury Hotels of the World» chain. And that's certainly right. Room rates for the simplest category (fully sufficient) start at around 180 euros, but can quickly be significantly higher.

Palheiro 7.5 m - Santo da Serra 20 m

Cliff Bay

Funchal

This classic 5-star hotel is located right at the beginning of Funchal's hotel zone next to the world-famous Reid's Palace, with which the Cliff Bay also shares the fantastic views of the Atlantic. We had a room directly on the cliff and were very happy with it. Spectacular: the screams of the petrels at night. I had never heard anything so weird before. Room prices vary depending on the season and the view, but should rarely fall well below 200 Euros. You will get a discount for both the golf courses.

Palheiro 7.5 m - Santo da Serra 20 m

The Oitavos

Cascais

Admittedly: From the outside, the luxury hotel looks a bit like a secret service headquarters, and the entrance area is more like a hospital. But minimalism is the order of the day here, and the huge rooms are very appealing in their simplicity. And the views of the golf course and the Atlantic Ocean from the balcony are a real treat. If you want to play golf in Cascais or visit the beautiful beaches, this is the place for you.

Oitavos Dunes – Penha Longa 10 m

Palacio do Freixo

Porto

The Pestana Palacio do Freixo, which belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World, is located directly on the River Douro. It is housed in both a baroque palace from the 18th century and a lovingly restored mill, and can rightly be described as a classic luxury hotel with all the fuss. It's a bit outside of downtown Porto, but walking into the center is possible and it's also a constant walk along the river. If you don't want to make the journey in the evening: the hotel restaurant is really good. With prices starting even in April at around 300 Euros, the rooms with a river view are not exactly a bargain. We had booked a smaller category but got an upgrade thanks to our membership with LHW. Liked it!

Penha Longa

Sintra

This super luxury resort managed by the Ritz Carlton chain has it all. A perfect location, a great golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and a superb choice of restaurants with two of them Michelin-starred. Breakfast is outstanding and so is the overall friendliness of all the staff. With prices starting from around 380 Euros for the double in the main season it is not on the cheap side but you might find better priced deals that suit your needs, like the golf package with unlimited golf.

Penha Longa – Oitavos Dunes 10 m

Praia D'El Rey

Amoreira

The golf resort at Praia D'El Rey offers a very good choice of both hotel rooms and rental holiday homes. I stayed at the five star Marriott hotel, which is in very close proximity to the golf course and the ocean. I booked a room with golf course view which was okay but if I would return I might pay the extra for an ocean view room because the Atlantic view from this rooms is simply outstanding. A recommendation.

Praia D'El Rey – West Cliffs 4 m

Savoy Palace

Funchal

The hotel looks huge? Well it's huge. But also very tastefully furnished with numerous opportunities to avoid the other hotel guests. If that's what you want. The highlight for us was definitely the rooftop restaurant, where we enjoyed great food and an even greater view of the Atlantic. A view

also available from the rooms. So be sure to choose the ocean view option. The room prices of this city center giant, which belongs to the Leading Hotels, start at around 200 Euros, Ocean View should cost around 300 Euros.

Palheiro 7.5 m – Santo da Serra 20 m

The Ivens

Lisbon

Located in the heart of the old town, but really not too noisy, this luxury Marriott Autograph Collection hotel is a recommendation for those who prefer a unique style in a hotel. At The Ivens, this means witty and, above all, very tasteful details, all of which revolve around the theme of expedition. This is fitting, as the eponymous Robert Ivans was one of Portugal's most famous African explorers. Clear recommandation.

Penha Longa 20 m – Oitavos Dunes 20 m

Villa Kaete

Sao Pedro da Cadeira

This wonderful little B&B about an hour north of Lisbon impresses me in two ways: it is very tastefully decorated and the owner is an old school friend of my wife. But even if the latter weren't the case, I would still recommend this place wholeheartedly. Be sure to look for it at Sawday's.

CampoReal 5 m – Praia D'El Rey 28 m