Palacio Estoril Hotel, Golf and Spa

Palacio Estoril Hotel feels like a cross between a resort and a summer palace. To enter the property, guests must pass through acres of manicured shrubbery and grass dotted with urns taller than a basketball player. The grand, neoclassical facade is accented with wrought-iron balconies and Greek columns. Marble columns and stairs line the entryway. The concave wooden reception desk has brass lines suggestive of art deco motifs. Almost every corner of the reception area has a Louis XIV chair or Oriental rug. The long hallways have gaslight-style chandeliers and one has been christened as the Hall of Fame, with pictures of all the royalty that have stayed in the Palacio Estoril Hotel over the years. The effete Four Seasons Grill has parquet wood tables and leather-back chairs. Palacio Estoril was a setting in the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," and it's easy to imagine 007 relaxing under an oversized umbrella on the deck by the sky-blue pool. The setting is great for couples on a romantic getaway as well as vacationing families.

While Estoril has long been a Portuguese resort town, the coastline destination is only a 30-minute drive or 40-minute train ride from Lisbon.  Several attractions are close to the hotel. Tamariz Beach is a four-minute walk away. Casino Estoril, one of the largest casinos in Europe, is a seven-minute stroll from the hotel. Casa Verdades de Faria, a museum that celebrates the history of Portuguese music as well as several artists, is a seven-minute ride away. Getting to Lisbon International Airport takes about 25 minutes by car or 80 minutes by train.

While much of the room decor has been updated since the Palacio Estoril Hotel opened in the 1930s, plenty of choices have been made to maintain or echo the Belle Epoque style. The 191 rooms come in several styles and sizes, with desks, armoires, nightstands, and bed frames that vary quite a bit from room to room. For example, in some rooms headboards sit under a triptych of botanical prints, and in others they sit under voluminous silk curtains. Some units, such as Garden Duplexes and Executive Suites, have separate living rooms with sofas and end tables. Some also have decks with patio seating that overlook the pool. All come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Bathrooms have wood-and-marble surfaces, modern fittings, shower/tub combos, and bidets. Bathrobes and individual Molton Brown toiletries are also provided. Rollaway beds and cribs are available free of charge.

The Palacio Estoril Hotel has plenty of amenities for couples as well as families. The 18-hole Estoril Golf Course has been the setting for the Portuguese Open multiple times, and there's a clubhouse with a restaurant, two bars, and a pool. Lessons and a pro shop are also available. The Estoril Wellness Center has a gym with cardio and weight-training equipment as well as steam rooms. The Asian-inspired Banyan Tree Spa offers massages, facials, and fitness classes such as yoga and pilates. A Turkish bath, a sauna, a hydrotherapy pool, and a hot tub are also available to spa guests. The Grill Four Seasons offers traditional Portuguese dishes as well as international fare. Bar Estoril was allegedly a favorite hangout for spies during World War II. There's also a buffet breakfast (for a fee), with items for those with special diets available a la carte. The hotel has space for meetings and celebrations in gardens, terraces and event rooms (the largest of which can hold up to 500 people). An on-site business center is open 24 hours, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. On-site parking is free and plentiful.