15 Best Hotels in Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal

On a rocky outcrop above the crashing waves, this gorgeous hotel was once the summer residence of the dukes of Loulé. Although expanded and modernized, its character has been retained, particularly in the handsome corridors and cozy terrace bar. Guest rooms combine an old-world elegance (carefully chosen vintage prints) with comfort (incredible beds). There's a small pool surrounded by loungers, and direct access to a small beach below. The acclaimed Albatroz restaurant serves superb fish dishes. A terrace restaurant-bar with gorgeous bay views serves more informal meals.

Standing on the cliffs facing the ocean, this historic fort may look austere from the outside, but walk through the entrance and you'll find all the luxury of an old-world palace. Each of the magnificent rooms has exquisitely designed 17th-century reproduction furniture and rich linens. A winding stone staircase leads up to the second-floor suites, which have an enclosed balcony providing incredible ocean views. The bar and lounge look out over Praia do Guincho, and there's a deck for lounging and sunbathing. 

Just steps from the seafront, InterContinental Cascais-Estoril is a plush base for exploring both Estoril and neighboring Cascais. The hotel's cool contemporary design and luxurious facilities make it an ideal place to relax and recharge after a day's exploring, and with several excellent drinking and dining options on-site, you can easily make a night of it at the hotel. Rooms are light and airy, with expansive sea views, and the hotel has plenty of spacious areas for relaxing with a book and a drink. 

This luxurious 1930s hotel hosted exiled European aristocrats as they waited out World War II; today it draws golfers who play on the nearby course and weary travelers in need of pampering at the spa. James Bond fans also seek out rooms at the hotel—scenes from On Her Majesty's Secret Service were filmed here, and writer Ian Fleming is said to have written Casino Royale in the hotel's bar. The grandeur is still impressive today: several of the Regency-style guest rooms have balconies, and public areas are adorned with monumental columns and chandeliers. There are swimming pools inside and out, and a relaxed poolside restaurant that serves light meals in an alfresco setting. The modern Organic Caffe appeals to the clean living set, and there's no more elegant spot in town to dine than the Four Seasons Grill.

Housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century fort, the Pousada Cidadela Cascais is a real treat for lovers of art, architecture, literature, and history. The whitewashed building sits within its own artsy "neighborhood"—the Pestana Cidadela Art District—which comprises galleries, studios, reading rooms, bookstores, restaurants, and open-air art installations. The hotel itself is a work of art, with individually styled rooms showcasing colorful contemporary pieces against a cool neutral backdrop. The whole complex feels crisp, clean, and contemporary.

Originally a medieval fortress and later a monastery, this pousada makes full use of the colonnaded walkways of the old cloisters as an atmospheric setting for breakfasts with views of the nearby hills. There's little trace of monastic asceticism in the monks' former refectory, now a dependable restaurant that serves traditional Portuguese food and fine wines. It's part of the Pestana Pousadas de Portugal portfolio of tastefully refurbished historic buildings.

Built in the 18th century as a home for the Dutch consul, this suitably grand hotel is surrounded by pristine grounds. You enter on the left side of an elaborate arch that joins the building's two wings. Inside, public rooms have period furnishings, delicate frescoes, and Arraiolos carpets; guest rooms are individually styled, some with hand-painted wallpapers. The elegant restaurant serves à la carte dishes and tasting menus. In summer, having coffee or tea on the terrace is a delight. A plush spa and outdoor pool are among the amenities.

This luxury resort stands above Costa da Caparica beach in a verdant spot away from the crowds that throng the sands. The sky-high lobby provides views of the ocean, the resort's two heated outdoor pools, and the 9-hole golf course and country club below. There's an indoor pool and a gym, as well as a spa and fitness center, with a sauna, hot tub, and steam room. Accommodations are functional rather than luxurious, although many have sea-views balconies.

This four-star boutique hotel sits on a hill just far enough off the main drag that it's hidden from the noise and crowds but still convenient walking distance to all the star attractions, including Casino Estoril and Praia do Tamariz. Choose a regular room, a studio, or a one-bedroom apartment, all of which look down to a pretty little pool shaded by palm trees or up and out to the ocean horizon. Most have a balcony and are quite spacious.

Keen swimmers will be in their element at this family-focused hotel: not only does it sit right on the beachfront at Praia Grande, Colares, but it also boasts one of Europe's largest saltwater swimming pools. The 100-meter outdoor pool comes complete with diving boards, and a poolside bar and restaurant means adults can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying a drink and a snack. The hotel, which features in the 1982 Wim Wenders film The State of Things, is a local landmark, and regular refurbishments mean the rooms, restaurants, and communal areas all look cool and contemporary. Rooms are generously proportioned, and all have balconies facing the ocean.

Perfectly integrated into the landscape, this luxurious hotel is built in steps up the side of the hill above the sea. Each floor has different designer furnishings and a different color scheme in which reds, oranges, and yellows predominate. View sailboats on the bay from one of the many panoramic windows or from your own balcony. There's an outdoor infinity pool, as well as an indoor "water lounge" with several pools, a sauna circuit, bio-thermic showers, and other treats.

The name of this sparkling boutique hotel reflects the long-standing English love affair with Costa do Estoril, but it remains at heart a grand mansion that is unmistakably Portuguese. Although the interior decor is contemporary, especially so in the modern annex, there's a timeless feel thanks to the grandeur of the 19th-century main building and the old-fashioned cordiality of the staff. If it weren't for the modern swimsuits by the pool, you could almost imagine you were in 1920s Hollywood. Most guest rooms have white azulejo tiles, and some have balconies overlooking either Cascais Bay or the surrounding hills.

This modern hotel sits directly across from the beach and very close to excellent seafood restaurants, lively bars, and the town's major sights. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with nice touches like flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Those at the front have balconies with sea views.

On a cliff overlooking the beach, this luxurious hotel has an indoor and outdoor infinity pool whose waters cascade down, waterfall-style, in front of the windows of the elegant seafood restaurant. There's a more casual family eatery with a colorful design, and a bar serving light snacks. All guest rooms have sea-view balconies and linens in soothing shades of blue and greens. There's a small but well-equipped playroom for kids and a shallow pool for younger guests to splash around in.

With an eye-catching wave design, this large hotel sits directly opposite the marina and has a wealth of facilities as well as easy access to beaches and boat trips. It's not looking as glitzy as it once was, but it's still a comfortable place with two rooftop pools—an infinity pool and a children's pool—offering incredible views of nearby Serra da Arrábida. All rooms have balconies, and you can choose from an array of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment suites and studios. The two restaurants on-site showcase international cuisine with an emphasis on fresh fish.