Hotel Baia

Hotel Baia gets its name from the ocean bay that’s just across a small cobbled square from the property. The yellowish stone hotel has white balconies and terraces that jet out toward the water, making for exceptional views from some rooms and the wooden pool terrace. Inside, the general style is bright and contemporary, with some pleasant, nature-themed details like branch designs on the black front desk and wave patterns on the blue carpet in the lobby. Gray armchairs and sofas provide seating in the sunlit lobby, which is full of natural light thanks to large windows. The bar has a romantic atmosphere with lovely views from floor-to-ceiling windows and its charming outdoor patio. Overall, it's a good mid-range option for guests seeking a beachfront hotel, and it attracts a mix of vacationing couples and groups of friends, though families with children might want to choose something with more kid-friendly amenities, like Vila Bicuda Resort.

The hotel's location is its best feature, situated on a cobbled square that’s right across from the Praia da Ribeira de Cascais beach. A four-minute walk brings travelers to Praia da Rainha, while Praia da Conceicao is six minutes away. Its central location means that there are many restaurants and shops within walking distance. The marina takes 11 minutes to reach, and there are a number of museums, forts, and churches along the way. It’s an eight-minute drive to Casino Estoril. The train station is a six-minute walk away, giving access to Lisbon in about an hour, or Lisbon Portela Airport in an hour-and-a-half (or it's about 30 to 40 minutes by car).

Hotel Baia’s rooms have a basic chain-like vibe, though they're tidy and not unpleasant. Of the 113 rooms, 66 have balconies, and many have sea views. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, though there are no mini-fridges or coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms range in style and modernization. Still, all have shower/tub combos, toiletries, hairdryers, and bidets.

For a simple, mid-range hotel, Baia has a nice amount of features and freebies. The hotel has a lovely heated indoor pool perched on the rooftop. There's also a sun terrace with scenic views of the sea, but it's small and doesn't offer too many loungers. The pool bar services the rooftop and sundeck in the summer. The hotel's on-site restaurant serves traditional Portuguese fare as well as international dishes -- but the food gets mixed reviews. It has outdoor seating and offers limited room service (for a small fee). In the mornings, a free breakfast buffet of fruit, cheeses, meats, mushrooms, bacon, and pastries is provided. Business travelers can take advantage of five fully equipped meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout the property, but there's no business center or computer for guest use. Parking incurs a daily fee, but it’s fairly affordable.