The Yeatman

Located in the heart of the Lisbon, at the top of one of the city’s famous seven hills, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz offers spectacular views across the city and river. 282 rooms and suites are beautifully decorated with 18th-century style furnishings as well as tapestries, painting and sculptures by contemporary Portuguese artists. Most rooms come with a private balcony overlooking the hotel gardens, Eduardo VII Park or the River Tajo so you can enjoy bird’s-eye-views and wonderful sunsets over the city’s rooftops. One of Lisbon‘s gastronomic gems, the Verandah restaurant serves fresher-than-fresh seafood caught from the nearby Atlantic Ocean and boasts an impressive wine cellar. For those with a keen interest in cooking, the hotel can arrange tastings, visits to the fish market and cooking classes. There is a also a sushi bar for fresh, healthy bites. Named after the famous Portuguese artist, Jose Almada Negreiros, the hotel lounge is a favourite haunt for guests and locals alike. The centrepiece of the Ritz bar is Pedro Leitao’s piano, which has been signed by world-famous artists. Take a seat under one of the hand-made Centauros tapestries or head out onto the terrace to drink in the views. There is a spa featuring an indoor pool and treatment rooms for when you want to completely unwind, as well as a rooftop fitness centre and running track for those who like an active start to their day. There are 60 pieces of art throughout the hotel and privatley guided tours can be arranged for guests to learn more about them and their history.

Set on a wide bend of the Douro river amid wonderful woodland, the Six Sense Douro Valley occupies a thoroughly renovated 19th-century manor house with fabulous views out to the vineyards that surround it. The interior blends original features such as monumental beams with contemporary artwork. Many of the rooms feature vast floor to ceiling windows and wonderful views. Suites overlook the Douro, and there are a selection of multi-roomed apartments and a villa with its own pool for the utmost privacy. Three restaurants and a range of dining areas celebrate the region, with seasonal produce from the fertile valley itself or picked from the estate’s organic gardens. Sample some of the Wine Library’s hundreds of vintages with nightly tastings, or watch the sun set with a cocktail on the terrace. An expansive spa has ten treatment rooms and there is both a heated indoor and scenic outdoor pool. Many of the experiences here are, naturally, wine focussed, such as vineyard tours, port tasting and unique harvesting experiences, and there’s also dozens of historic towns and villages to explore in this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The more adventurous can head out on hiking, mountain biking and canyoning, while river cruises are a more relaxed way to spend an afternoon.

Perched above the blue Atlantic and surrounded by evergreen gardens and fronted by a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, Vila Joya is striking family-run boutique resort. There are just 22 rooms and expansive suites, each unique and with direct sea views, and casual, luxurious interiors of light, warm tones, natural materials and fine examples of Portuguese craftsmanship. Each room also includes a terrace or balcony, some with direct access to the garden. At lunchtime and dinnertime, the terrace becomes a dining space under Dieter Koschina, patron at Vila Joya for over 25 years, winning two Michelin stars and becoming one of Portugal’s most highly decorated chefs. Fine dining is central to the Vila Joya experience and indeed the reason many people stay here again and again. There are also lighter bites at the Pool Restaurant. Indulgence continues at the fabulous spa which focuses on water, air and light.

This exclusive retreat, set in the heart of Alentejo, effortlessly integrates modern architecture into nature. The interiors are designed by Marcio Kogan and feature artworks by Michael Biberstein. The 22 suites offer you a place to relax surrounded by luxury and the tranquillity and beauty of nature. For a truly stellar romantic experience, choose to sleep beneath the stars in one of the sky suites. Dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant and go on a gastronomic journey with Miguel Laffan. The menu features Portuguese flavours and ingredients. Enjoy the outdoors and take a leisurely stroll through the estate’s vineyards, do a wine tasting, or take a tour of the other wine farms in the region. Find renewal at the Caudalie spa where the treatments carry through the vineyard theme with grape-based products. There are also yoga and meditation sessions on offer, as well as individually designed detox programmes.