Sintra Boutique Hotel

From the outside, the Sintra Boutique Hotel resembles several similar buildings in Sintra and Portugal. The smooth plaster facade is painted a light peach, complementing the orange-red Spanish tile roof. Inside, however, the lobby rethinks tradition with an artful, design-forward look. An abstract chandelier made of white triangles with a bird's silhouette hangs from the ceiling. Underneath, a Louis XIV–style gray leather armchair is surrounded by Lucite end tables. The reception desk is crowned with a lighting unit of white branches, and the desk itself is lined with black padded leather. Eye-catching elements continue throughout the property and into the hotel's other spaces. Suntria restaurant has a tiled floor inspired by a nearby Moor palace, and twisting mid-century-style lighting fixtures. The wine cellar exposes the building's stone foundation, a reminder that this is a UNESCO-recognized town. The design speaks well to young, artsy couples and tourists who tend to stay here. When they're not out exploring, guests can often be found relaxing on the terraces, one within an interior courtyard and the other with views of the lush landscape beyond. 

Once the vacation destination for the royal family, the resort town of Sintra is situated in pine tree-covered hills near the West coast of Portugal. The striking, historic buildings here are protected by UNESCO. The Sintra Boutique Hotel is in the middle of the town and within five minutes' walk of multiple restaurants, bars, and cafes. It's very well-positioned for visits to attractions and historic sights. It's a three-minute walk to the 14th-century Sintra National Palace in the main square, and the museum of natural history. The most famed building in the area is the National Palace of Pena, a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The 10th-century Moorish castle Castelo dos Mouros is also just 12 minutes away by car. The Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, which extends to the west coast of Portugal, is an eight-minute drive away. Travelers arriving at the Lisbon International Airport should expect the ride to take about 35 minutes by car or 80 minutes by train. Getting here from Lisbon takes about 35 minutes by car or 55 minutes by train. 

Rooms here are fairly similar in style to one another, with Portuguese tile floors and decor in shades of beige, brown, and cream. However, they have individual touches inspired by themes such as "The Garden of Eden" and "The Capuchin Convent" that come through in the choice of paintings or distinctive headboards. Distinctive armchairs in Lucite echo Philippe Starck's Louis XVI "Ghost Chairs." But most of the furniture is more straightforward and modern: big, comfy beds; sleek, simple desks; and little leather desk chairs. Some rooms also have cushioned window seats while all have  views looking toward the National Palace of Sintra. The 40-inch-flat-screen TVs are wall-mounted, and each room also has a digital music player and free Wi-Fi. Minibars and espresso-makers are provided. Rooms range in size from Standard to Suite (237 to 378 square feet). Higher-category rooms have more floor space and some upgrades in the furniture. Bathrooms are lined with Moorish-patterned tiles and au courant fittings. They have stall showers or shower/tub combos with free toiletries, and increase in size along with the room level. Robes and slippers are provided. 

As a smaller, boutique property, the Sintra Boutique Hotel doesn't have a surplus of features, but there are a few nice ones that give guests a reason to linger. Suntria, the on-site restaurant, serves dishes such as Sea Bass Wrapped in Pastry Dough on a Bed of Turnip Tops and Grilled Chicken Breast with Pineapple Carpaccio. There is 24-hour room service and a terrace enables alfresco dining. A breakfast buffet is included with choices such as cold meats, cheeses, smoked salmon, breads, pancakes, and pastries. The meeting rooms are casual, modern, and compact, fitting up to 30 people for a business gathering or event. Parents will be happy to know that rooms can be childproofed on request. No golf course is on-site, but four are nearby and the staff can help arrange playing. Some guests will be disappointed by the lack of a gym or business center. Valet parking is free, but spaces are limited. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.