Rua Frei Nicolau de Oliveira 80, Parque da Gandarinha, Cascais, Portugal | (251) 219-4428
Tranquil location overlooking the sea, a 20-minute walk from the beach
10-minute walk to historic center of Cascais
Spacious, contemporary rooms with free toiletries, hairdryers, and minibars
All rooms have furnished terraces, many with gorgeous sea vistas
Free buffet breakfast with continental fare and eggs made-to-order
Well-size circular outdoor pool with separate kiddy pool
Buffet restaurant with live show cooking serves three meals
Spa offering massage treatments and a Turkish bath
Kids’ club with an attractive play area
Free Wi-Fi
Food, particularly at dinner, receives mediocre reviews
No gym on-site
In-room safes require a fee
The 233-room Vila Gale Cascais is an upper-middle-range property set overlooking the sea, a 10-minute walk from the quaint and historic Cascais. Rooms are modern and spacious, decorated in shades of plum, and featuring flat-screen TVs, shower/tub combos, and air-conditioning. All have furnished balconies with either land or lovely sea views. Safes, however, require fees, and kettles are only provided upon availability. Amenities include an international buffet restaurant serving free breakfast, a well-size outdoor pool, a spa that provides massage and wellness treatments, and a kid’s club with an outdoor play area. Unfortunately, dinner buffets receive less than stellar reviews, and there's no gym on-site. For something a bit more charming, consider Casa Shanti Niketan, a simple bed-and-breakfast with just seven rooms, though it's farther from Cascais.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Attractive, contemporary hotel with quiet atmosphere and gorgeous sea views
The Vila Gale Cascais attracts a variety of leisure travelers looking to spend their vacation in a quiet setting overlooking the ocean. Interiors are bright and contemporary, if a bit generic-looking. Red and plum hues are found throughout, from carpeted hallways to sponge-effect lobby walls to curtains, lampshades, and ottomans at the bar. Floors painted to resemble cobblestone in the lobby and restaurant add some charm, as do large pool photos in the latter. Outside, terrace seating and a large circular swimming pool provide leisure options, but guests will have to go to higher-level rooms for beautiful views of the sea and town center.
Location
Set slightly back from the sea in a quiet area
The hotel is set slightly back from the Atlantic, with a road and a few buildings between it and the coast. The center of Cascais, which is home to a number of shops and restaurants, as well as sights such as Palace of Cascais Citadel, can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. Praia da Rainha, a sandy cove in the center of town, is about a 15-minute walk away. It's a similar distance to Cascais Station, which has a direct line to the center of Lisbon. It takes roughly 40 minutes to drive to Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s historic center, or 70 minutes by train. Cascais is set at the foot of the Sintra Hills, and there are a number of scenic walks that can be taken around the area. Expect transfer times to Lisbon Portela Airport of roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car, or 90 minutes by public transport.
Rooms
Contemporary rooms with shower/tub combos, flat-screen TVs, and furnished terraces
Rooms here are spacious, contemporary, and well-decorated. Wood furniture and floors, beige walls, and plum accents in headboards, curtains, sofas, and bed runners combine for a streamlined, pleasant look. Armchairs and benches in striped fabric, and shadow box wall art with silver buddha busts add some personality. Furnished outdoor spaces come standard, with land or sea views, the latter of which most guests agree is worth the extra cost. Standard amenities consist of desks, sitting areas, flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and closets with electronic safes (fee). Suites, meanwhile, have separate living spaces with two sofa beds and four-person dining tables. Bathrooms are modern across the board, equipped with shower/tub combos, bidets, hairdryers, and free toiletries.
Features
Outdoor swimming pool, free buffet breakfast, and two bars
Vila Gale Cascais offers enough amenities to keep guests occupied on-site, starting with its medium-sized circular outdoor pool. Off to one side is a separate kiddy pool, and the stone deck is lined with loungers, but just a handful of umbrellas. A seasonal pool bar serves drinks and snacks. A small spa offers a range of massage and wellness treatments, but there's no gym here. All rates include a well-regarded buffet breakfast with all the expected continental fare, plus hot dishes such as beans, bacon, and made-to-order eggs. Buffet meals are also served for lunch and dinner, but these receive mixed reviews. Light meals and snacks are available at the indoor bar all day. Children are catered to with a kids’ club and an outdoor play area. Parking and property-wide Wi-FI are both free.
