Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa - Cascais

Taking up residence in a former royal palace is the incredibly beautiful Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel & Spa. It sits on the western edge of the Portuguese Riviera and features a stunning outdoor pool, an outstanding spa, two restaurants and two bars. Accommodation is supremely elegant, with many rooms boasting views across the Atlantic Ocean, there’s even two penthouse suites – one with its own rooftop pool.

The property is set in a glorious position, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Santa Marta lighthouse, in the seaside town of Cascais. The golden sandy beaches of Praia da Conceicao and Praia da Duquesa are just over two miles east of the hotel, while the charming town centre lies less than a mile west. You can easily spend a day strolling past grand 19th Century pastel-coloured villas, visiting incredible, historic museums or taking in the natural seascape of Boca do Inferno. Around 12 miles north is the captivating town of Sintra, known for its fairy-tale palaces and castle. Lisbon International Airport is around 24 miles away.

As is befitting a palatial palace, soft terracotta and lemon hues dress the outside of the property, while the inside is lavishly decorated with polished floors, a sweeping staircase and chandeliers. Duck egg blue and beige dominate the colour scheme in the rooms and suites, where sumptuous beds are framed with heaps of cushions and a bed runner. The marble bathrooms feature a bath, a shower and complimentary Castelbel toiletries. Standard amenities include a flat-screen LCD cable TV, an in-room safe, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi.