Hotel Quinta da Marinha Resort

This massive, delicately manicured resort sits toward the lower edge of the Cascais-Sintra Natural Park. The natural light that radiates from the skylights of the large, open-air lobby grants the marble floors and white walls a special shine. The feel here is as romantic and cozy as it is fresh, thanks to the high ceilings, colorful abstract art, and focus on wooden materials. There are some minor decor missteps (stringy chandeliers and somewhat outdated wicker furniture), but they don’t manage to detract from the overall classy vibe. Quinta da Marinha is ideally situated close to both land and sea (as long as you have a car) -- a dream for outdoor enthusiasts who don’t want to compromise their options for daily excursions. But this is perhaps more accurately a golf resort, based on the many European and American golfers who pick this hotel for its on-site club and proximity to two other courses. Designed by legendary architect Robert Trent Jones, the course here is challenging enough to suit serious golfers, while on-site amenities like a spa, indoor and outdoor pool, and three bars provide decent entertainment for the rest of the family. While children are perfectly welcome here, there are limited activities geared specifically to kids.  

The hotel is set within Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, a lush and expansive green space along the southern coast of Portugal. There is relatively little within walking distance of the resort besides residential housing and pure nature -- which might be a pro or a con, depending on perspective. It’s a 13-minute walk to Quinta da Bicuda-- with a horseback riding center, mini-market, bakery, local restaurant and hair salon. A rental car is a must, if only to properly appreciate the beauty of the surroundings. In a car, Cascais is accessible within 10 minutes, and there are plenty of bars and shops there to satisfy anyone who wants to poke around the touristy, cobblestoned village. The hotel offers a free shuttle to the closest seafood restaurant, Monte Mar, about a six-minute drive. There are a few other dining options, like Restaurante Verbasco, a five-minute drive. Boca do Inferno is an iconic site in the region that's eight minutes away. The calm beaches are centered in Cascais -- otherwise Guincho Beach is popular among surfers for its rebellious waves -- it’s a nine-minute drive. The hotel shuttles guests two times a day. It’s a 10-minute drive to Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, 15 minutes to the Casino Estoril, and a 25-minute drive to the Natural Palace in Sintra. Getting to Lisbon and the Portela International Airport takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes.  

The 198 rooms and villas here are bright and spotless, and offer spacious balconies that grant views of the golf course or mountains. All categories follow a standard modern look: The color scheme doesn’t stray from a basic gray, cream and beige palette, though there are a few interesting pops of red and pleasant landscape paintings hanging on the walls. Some walls are also adorned with phrases like “Keep on Dreaming” (not that the encouragement is needed, considering the comfiness of the huge beds here). A few pieces of furniture -- the blond wood pieces that we saw, for instance -- look a bit dated compared to the clean and contemporary pieces elsewhere in the rooms. Boldly framed art, though, adds a nice bit of design savvy to the spaces. Plush perks include cozy robes and slippers, deep-soaking tubs, and 24-hour room service. Otherwise expect the usual amenities like safes, direct-dial phones, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a pricey mini-bar. A word to the wise: Tea and coffee is not replenished after day one. Upgraded villas offer living rooms with fireplaces and one or two bedrooms plus kitchenettes.   Bathrooms are not the biggest, though they appear larger and brighter thanks to the mirrors taking up most of the wall space. Despite soundproofing, the early-morning thwack of golf clubs can still be heard from most rooms that overlook the driving range, so sensitive sleepers might find better rest elsewhere in the resort.

There are a number of features on-site, making it possible to enjoy a vacation without even leaving the grounds. Golfers from all over the world come here in droves to enjoy the well-maintained 18-hole golf course. As is typical of the Robert Trent Jones style, the course contains various elevations, bunkers and several mini-lakes. The hotel even offers pre and post-golfing session massages at their Ritual Spa to soothe tired muscles, in addition to a range of beauty treatments, an indoor heated pool and sauna. While golf is clearly the main draw here, there’s more to appreciate at this upscale hotel -- like the seasonal infinity pool, which has attentive waiter service, clean towels, and plenty of sunbeds. The chilly water is the only shock to the system. For the athletically-inclined, the hotel offers a trainer to accompany guests anywhere along the five to 20 kilometer (three to 12 mile) runs between Sintra and Cascais. The hotel also rents out bikes for adults and children. The breakfast buffet at Five Pines Restaurant offers the usual selection of fresh fruit, eggs, meats, and pastries. Kids are often pleased with the self-service waffle maker, but the true perk is the hotel's specialty coffee. Frothy cappuccinos are standard fare here. Not all room packages include breakfast in the rate, and breakfast isn’t served in the villas. For other meals there’s Rocco, a gourmet Portuguese restaurant with (pricey) local favorites as well as another low-key burger-and-fries joint. The large bar often has its TVs tuned to the sports channels, and serves salty snacks. The business center is quite large, with several computers and a printing station. There are also spacious meeting rooms. Wi-Fi is free and functional everywhere. Free parking is also available.